Winery: Klein Constantia

Wine Maker: Matthew Day

Winery Location: Constantia, Cape Town

Varietal(s): 100% Chardonnay

Retail Price: R295.00

Notes on Wine:

• Light and vibrant in appearance. A lively bouquet of lemon zest and brioche flavours abound on the nose. 
• The mousse is elegant with a fine bubble. Fresh and lively, the palate is expressive, dry and balanced by a zesty acidity. 
• Flavours of limes conclude with a rewarding long crisp finish. Grapes are selected from a single block, one of the oldest located on the lower slopes of Klein Constantia. Harvested early in the season in numerous batches to ensure complexity in freshness, fruit and intensity. Flavours of limes conclude with a rewarding long crisp finish.

Food pairings: salmon eggs benedict. Go on.

Winery: Groote Post

Winemaker: Lukas Wentzel

Winery Location: Darling, Swartland

Varietal(s): Chardonnay Pinot Noir

Retail Price: R203.00

Notes on Wine:

• Displaying a vibrant pale gold color, a fine creamy mousse, zesty notes of green apple and white pear with hints of brioche, a well-rounded velvety yet lively mouthfeel and a crisp lingering finish.

 The juice undergoes fermentation in stainless steel tanks and spends three months on the lees thereafter.

Food Pairing: creamy oyster mushrooms crouquettes dusted with parmesan shavings and watercress

Winery: Creation

Winemaker:  Jean-Claude Martin

Winery Location: Hemel en Aarde  

Varietal(s): 80% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Semillon

Retail Price: R200.00

Notes on Wine:

• Invigorating salty bouquet, reminiscent of the fresh sea breezes caressing the vineyards. A distinctive, terroir-expressive Bordeaux-style white.
• Cellarmaster Jean-Claude Martin’s winemaking philosophy of ‘enhancing the beauty of nature’ embraces sustainability, both in the vineyards and cellar.

Food pairing: fresh oysters with soy and sesame dressing

Winery: Old Road Wines

Winery Location: Franschhoek

Varietal(s): 100% Chenin Blanc

Retail Price: R295.00

Notes on Wine:

• This delicate partial wood maturation yields a Chenin Blanc of great character and style – a wine that is complex yet fresh, crisp and very stylish. 
• On entry, it exudes dried apricot and peach with tropical notes, persisting onto the palate together with ripe white fleshy pear. 
• Balancing the succulent fruit is good acidity, and a creamy finish rounds off the luxurious taste experience

Food pairing: prawn and avo vermiscelli noodle salad with verl’s secret thai dressing

Winery: Aslina

Winery Location: Stellenbosch

Varietal(s): Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot

Retail Price: R235

Notes on Wine:

• Umsasane is the Zulu word for umbrella tree, which gives shelter, protection and comfort. It was Ntsiki’s grandmother’s nickname, and the bold structure, smoothness and complexity of this wine honour the characteristics of Aslina, the matriarch of the family.
• Bold structure, with layers of fruit and tight ripe tannins, good balance of wood, acid and fruit giving this wine a long lingering finish.

Food Pairing: tender roast lamb, thrice baked potatoes, broccoli and lemon salad

Winery: High Road wines

Wine Maker: Mike Carmichael-Green

Winery Location: Stellenbosch

Varietal(s): 30% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot and 6% Malbec

Vivino Score: 4.10/5.00

Retail Price: R280.00

Notes on Wine:

• Timeless take on the Bourdeaux Blend. Notes of wild bramble fruit and ripe prune are evident on the nose, with hints of dried herbs and underlying notes of toasted oak and vanilla. The entry on the palate is smooth and packed with blue and red fruit flavours.
• The tannins are finely textured, and the finish is crisp and clean with lingering notes of dried herbs and pepper spice.

Food pairing: a cheese cake to bring the house down