Sun, summer and something chilled in your glass… few places do the festive season quite like South Africa. But if you think wine is uncork, pour, and hope for the best, think again. With a little know-how, you can elevate your wine moments from ordinary to unforgettable.
Bianca Leonard, Marketing Manager at lifestyle technology specialist Solenco, says wine isn’t just about flavour — it’s about atmosphere:
“It’s an experience. With the right prep, thoughtful pairing and the right tools, any table can feel like a celebration.”
Sip, Taste, Explore: The Cape Winelands Edit
If you’re travelling through the Western Cape this season, the tasting possibilities stretch as far as the vineyards themselves.
Start at Spier in Stellenbosch, globally recognised for sustainability, community upliftment and award-winning wine. Their Signature Sauvignon Blanc — bright, zesty and layered with passion fruit, lime and gooseberry — pairs beautifully with citrus-cured salmon or creamy goat’s cheese with a squeeze of lemon.
Then make your way to Groot Constantia, South Africa’s oldest working wine estate (est. 1685) and home of the iconic Vin de Constance. Nearby Klein Constantia and Creation (Elgin) ranked in this year’s World’s 50 Best Vineyards Top 10, and are must-stops for serious wine drinkers.
For a curated, no-car-keys-needed journey, board the Franschhoek Wine Tram. It winds through the valley’s most celebrated vineyards — think Haute Cabrière, La Motte, Rickety Bridge, Grande Provence — with time to sip, stroll, dine or simply stretch out under oak trees.
Babylonstoren, loved as much for its gardens as its cellars, is a festive pilgrimage. Meanwhile, Le Lude’s Orangerie serves an exquisite high tea (yes, the profiteroles and smoked trout sandwiches are as good as they sound), best enjoyed with a glass of Le Lude Brut or Brut Rosé Cap Classique.
Quick Festive Season Pairings
Wine Ideal with and Serving Tips:
- Sauvignon Blanc (Spier Signature, Steenberg): Prawns, seafood salads, lemon-herb roast chicken, fresh goat’s cheese. Fresh and citrusy: ideal at 8-10°C
- Dry rosé (Buitenverwachting Buiten Blanc), Bouchard Finlayson (Galpin Peak): Cold cuts, light salads, tomato tapenade crostini. Versatile and festive: ideal at 8-10°C
- Sauvignon–Semillon / Chenin Blanc (Simonsig Gewürztraminer & Sauvignon Blanc, Jordan Chenin Blanc): Creamy salads, mild curries, roast chicken. Slightly richer but still summer-friendly: ideal at 10-12°C
- Light reds (Rust en Vrede Pinot Noir, Bellingham The Bernard Series Pinotage): Grilled meats, boerewors, lamb chops. Lighter body keeps it fresh in summer heat: ideal at 14-16°C
- Sparkling / MCC (Steenberg Sparkling MCC Brut Rosé, Kaapzicht Cap Classique Brut): Starters, seafood, festive toasts, desserts. Elevates celebration with bubbles: ideal at 6-8°C
- All-rounder: A perfectly chilled dry rosé. Great with mixed courses; flexible, light, and festive
Quick ways to upgrade your wine:
The glass:
- Whites = smaller bowl to keep aromas tight.
- Reds = larger bowl for oxygenation.
- Rosé = tapered glass to preserve bouquet.
- MCC = wide tulip for aroma and bubbles.
The temperature:
- MCC: 6–8°C
- Whites: 8–12°C
- Rosé: ±10°C
- Light reds: 12–14°C
- Full-bodied reds: 14–18°C
