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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 6 MARCH 2016 34 Food Boschendal has a heritage dating back to 1685, when its French founders recognised the property's potential for wine- growing. Today, Boschendal maintains a rightful place as a winery of international distinction, consistently producing great wines. The Coastal Region of the Cape is an ideal location for producing high quality wines. Breezes off the cool Atlantic Ocean temper the hot summer days to produce fruit ripeness and great wine flavours. Cold soaking of the fruit takes place for 24 hours to allow maximum colour extraction. The juice is then fermented with specially selected wine yeast until the wine is dry. Maturation is done in French Oak barrels for 14 months, after which the wine is carefully blended and bottled. Only grapes from specially selected vineyards in the mountainous areas of the coastal region are used to make Boschendal Shiraz. The elevated vineyards produce low yields to ensure great fruit quality. The style is classic, with the wine maturing in French oak for 14 months. The result a wine with deep black fruit flavours, and elegant structure and notes of exotic spice.This wine can be drunk now but will further improve if carefully stored for up to 4 years. Exclusively imported by Charles Grech & Co. Ltd, Valley Road, Birkirkara T: 2144 4400 Boschendal Shiraz '1685' Coastal Coast, South Africa Rachel Agius takes a look at a restaurant and brings a recipe, wine and delicacy of the week. Write to us with your comments on restaurants or submit your own recipes to rzammitcutajar@mediatoday.com.mt Ta' Xbiex Water Polo Club Bistro Spring seems to have come early this year, or maybe winter just never quite kicked in, and in spite of the little bit of rain granted to the Gozo bishop, it still seems like we can start dining outside. One of my favourite spots for outdoor dining when the weather is right is the Ta' Xbiex Water Polo Club Bistro – that perfect view of Valletta, delicious food and lots of wine make for the perfect spring meal. Located in the most fantastic spot, the water polo club offers stunning views of the entrance to Sliema Creek and the Ta' Xbiex yacht marina. The angle of the res- taurant is so completely perfect that the horrors of modern day architecture are re- moved from sight and what you get to see are the beautiful baroque Valletta bastions and the bright blue Mediterranean sea. There is some seating inside, though the best place to be is on the terrace outside. Large umbrellas protect you from the sun and the gentle breeze coming off the sea makes for a perfect spring afternoon and a cool summer evening. We sat at a long table outside and were served with drinks, and complimentary foccaccia while we waited for everyone to arrive. The menu offers a vast selection of piz- zas, pasta, salads and grilled meats and fish, complemented by an extensive wine list with wines from all over the world. The wine list even includes a list of premium wines courtesy of Charles Grech, offering the most fashionable wines at great value for money. We decided on mixed starters to share where we went for a selection of fish start- ers that included delicious neonati fritti, an octopus salad that was as tasty as it was tender, and mixed calamari and prawns. For mains it was mostly a selection of fresh fish, al cartoccio or al sale or pasta dishes – also with fish. The fish was tasty and simply cooked to allow the subtle fla- vours of fresh fish to come through, the pasta was also al dente with fishy sauces that were simple yet tasty. Although we stuck to fish, I would very much like to return to try the meatier dish- es on the menu, which looked just as good as they sailed by to other tables, as our fish. There is no dessert menu but a display of homemade desserts that are strategically placed at the entrance of the restaurant so that you know to leave room for them. The restaurant doesn't have an official lunch and dinner style service, and will serve a full meal at any time of day – per- fect for those busy souls who somehow let lunchtime slip by and can't seem to wait a couple of hours until dinner service. Though we had a long and boozy lunch, the Ta' Xbiex Water Polo Club Bistro is just as good for a quick and casual meal. If you haven't yet had the pleasure of the fresh ingredients served up in one of Mal- ta's nicest spots then get down there and feel the summer. The Ta' Xbiex Water Polo Club Bistro is open all day every day, from Monday to Sunday. Address: Ta' Xbiex Seafront, Ta' Xbiex Contact: 27330144 Resto of the week WINE OF THE WEEK The return to the Great Outdoors