Are you finding that your need for a fan for cooling has been reduced the past few weeks? Did you get an uneasy feeling with the first full consecutive days of rain?

We know the feeling too well. The sun no longer sets after 19.00, our tea consumption spikes and we long for a rusk with every cup. As we drive home, Banarama’s Cruel Summer plays over the radio. We clench the steering wheel and grind our teeth as the song forces us to realize our love affair with Sunshine will be put on hold by Mother Nature for at least six months.

Summer is nearing its end.

But it’s not quite over yet.

It’s time to rock the board shorts one more time and take a dip in the pool. It’s time to pack a bucket with only the best wine you can offer and some ice, before dragging a bag of coal out to the Weber to start a fire as if this is the last braai that will be uninterrupted by rainfall and cold weather.

Invite your friends and family over. Even the people you have avoided the entire festive season are welcome, as long as they bring a potato salad.

You give them the classic Cape Town welcome them by offering a glass of Méthode Cap Classique which will fuel the natter about the upcoming elections, the pitfalls of coalition government, Rugby and the bleak outlook for South African cricket.

Some may request a fresh, crisp white wine to go with the garden salad, watermelon and burrata.

A handful may request a beer, but you will politely tell them that this is not that kind of a party and point to the door.

Others may want to advance into coating their palate in preparation for the lamb chops that are coming and open a gloriously chilled Pinot Noir.

As the mains of lamb cutlets are served, you will reach for a full bodied and beautifully tannic Bordeaux style red wine. On the first sip, you realise all is well and your fork moves towards the nearest roasted green bean.

It’s the last Summer Dinner Party. Make it worthwhile.

This special edition includes a mix of MCC, white and red wine. The six wines on show are the following:

1. Klein Constantia Brut Blanc de Blanc 2019 (Sparking)
2. Groote Post Méthode Cap Classique Brut NV (Sparkling)
3. Creation Sauvignon Blanc – Semillon 2022 (White Blend)
4. Old Road Wine Co – Anemos Chenin Blanc 2018 (Chenin Blanc)
5. Blackwater Cuvee Terra Lux (Pinot Noir)
6. High Road Classique 2019 (Red Blend)