10 Wine Tasting Pairings With A Flare

Wine tasting in South Africa is not just an activity, but an immersive experience that brings the country’s rich viticulture to life. With its picturesque landscapes, diverse wine offerings, and innovative pairings, wine tasting in the Western Cape offers something unique for every palate. Here, we explore some of the most intriguing wine tasting experiences, perfect for enthusiasts looking to add a bit of flair to their adventure.

1. Graham Beck: Sparkle and Pop

Located in the scenic Robertson Wine Valley, the Graham Beck estate is renowned for its exceptional Cap Classique sparkling wines. The estate offers a variety of innovative pairings that highlight the versatility and elegance of their sparkling wines.

Operating Hours: Mon-Sun, 9:00 – 17:00.

Sparkle & Pop Gourmet Popcorn and Cap Classique Pairing – R220pp

This unique experience pairs four sparkling wines from the Graham Beck Classique and Vintage Collection with creatively infused popcorn. Each popcorn flavour celebrates South African cuisine, enhancing the tasting experience with delightful and unexpected combinations.

Olive Oil & Cap Classique Pairing – R180pp

Experience four of Graham Beck’s prestigious Cap Classique sparkling wines paired with locally sourced olive oil infusions. This tasting highlights the complementary nuances between the sparkling wine and the rich, flavourful olive oils, ensuring a delicate flavour enhancement with each sip.

2. Van Loveren: A Symphony of Tastes

Nestled in the picturesque Robertson Valley, Van Loveren is a family-owned estate offering a wide range of wine pairings that cater to diverse tastes. Their pairings are crafted to perfection, combining local flavours with their exquisite wines.

Operating Hours: Mon-Sun, 9:00 – 17:00.

Food & Wine Pairing – R100 to R140pp

• Cheese & Wine: Pairings include Sauvignon Blanc with Royal Ashton, Colombar with Matured Cheddar, and more.
• Taste of Africa: Featuring Five’s Reserve Pinotage with Beef Droëwors and African Java Pinotage with chocolate-coated coffee beans.
• Christiena Master Tasting: A premium experience with Method Cap Classique and other selected wines, enjoyed with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, olives, dukkah, and fresh ciabatta.

Absolute Zero Sparkling Pairing – R80pp

For those who prefer non-alcoholic options, this pairing includes Absolute Zero Dry Sparkling with Chocolate Orange Turkish delight, and other delightful combinations.

Vegan Pairing – R100pp

A carefully curated selection of vegan-friendly pairings, such as Van Loveren Brut Sparkling with vegan gorgonzola and green fig preserve.

Tangled Tree Wine & Chocolate – R100pp

This pairing is a treat for chocolate lovers. Experience Sauvignon Blanc with Guava and Sundried fig, Chardonnay with Orange Blossom, Shiraz with Cape Malay Spice, Cabernet Sauvignon with Hazelnut Mocha, and Moscato Rosè with Rose Petal Geranium. Each combination is designed to enhance the complex flavours of both the wine and the chocolate.

Shades of Chardonnay – R100pp

Chardonnay enthusiasts will revel in this tasting. Enjoy Four Cousins Collection Chardonnay, Tangled Tree Chardonnay, Van Loveren Calcrete Chardonnay, Christiena Chardonnay, and Charlen. These wines are paired with coppa cured meat, Olyfberg olive oil & balsamic vinegar, Wineland Brie, and fresh ciabatta, providing a rich and varied tasting experience.

Undiscovered Gems – R100pp

Discover unique and lesser-known wines with this pairing. Taste Perle De Jean Pinot Grigio with Rose Turkish Delight, Chardonnay Pinot Noir with Macadamia Nougat, Jean Bdn Red Muscadel with Chorizo, and Red Muscadel with Date Dipped in Dark Chocolate. These combinations bring out the distinctive qualities of the wines and their paired treats.

3. Canto Wines: The Crusade of Flavours

Located in Durbanville Wine Valley, Canto Wines offers a delightful wine tasting experience. Known for their exceptional Méthode Cap Classique (MCC) sparkling wines, Canto combines innovation with tradition. Visitors can enjoy the serene environment and explore unique wine and macaron pairings.

Operating Hours: Mon – Tue: closed
Wed-Thurs: 11h00 – 17h00
Friday: 10h00 – 18h00
Saturday: 10h00 – 18h00
Sundays: 11h00 – 17h00

The Canto Crusade R140 pp

Canto’s offerings include a range of sparkling wines paired with delectable treats. Visitors can enjoy a serene environment while exploring the unique flavours of Canto’s wines.

Chardonnay MCC Brut with Hazelnut Macaron

The butteriness and earthy flavours of the Chardonnay MCC shine with the rich, nutty hazelnut macaron. The bubbles’ fizz is enhanced by the macaron’s melt-in-your-mouth texture, creating a delightful experience.

Shiraz Rosé MCC Brut with Red Velvet Macaron

This pairing combines the rich flavour of the red velvet macaron with the raspberry and spicy notes of the Shiraz Rosé MCC. The fizz of the bubbles complements the macaron’s texture perfectly.

Pinot Noir MCC Brut with Turkish Delight Macaron

The rosewater and muscat flavours in the Turkish delight macaron enhance the delicate strawberry notes of the Pinot Noir MCC. The bubbles’ fizz is beautifully balanced by the macaron’s smooth texture.

Pinot Noir/Chardonnay MCC Brut with Salted Caramel Macaron

For a sweet and salty treat, try this pairing. The salted caramel macaron pairs wonderfully with the fresh Chardonnay and cherry-flavoured Pinot Noir. The bubbles’ fizz enhances the macaron’s melt-in-your-mouth quality.

4. JC Le Roux: A Celebration of Bubbly

JC Le Roux, located in the Stellenbosch Winelands, is South Africa’s leading sparkling wine house. Their tasting room offers a variety of pairings that bring out the best in their renowned bubblies.

Operating Hours: Tues-Sun, 9:00 – 16:00.

Bubbly and Cheesecake Pairing – R165pp

Available Tuesday to Sunday, this pairing matches JC Le Roux’s finest sparkling wines with rich, creamy cheesecakes, creating a delightful taste sensation.

Bubbly & Pizza Pairing – R195pp

For a more savoury option, this pairing features their sparkling wines with gourmet pizzas, offering a fun and flavourful experience.

Nougat Experience – R130pp

A sweet treat, this experience pairs JC Le Roux’s sparkling wines with a selection of nougats, perfect for those with a sweet tooth.

5. Delheim Wines: Cupcakes and Wine

Delheim Wines, nestled in the scenic slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain in Stellenbosch, offers more than just a wine tasting experience. This family-owned estate is celebrated for its commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly practices. A visit to Delheim is not just about enjoying exquisite wines but also about embracing the harmony between nature and winemaking.

Operating Hours: Mon-Sun, 9:00 – 17:00.

Fynbos Cupcake and Delheim Wine Pairing R120 pp

One of the most delightful offerings at Delheim is their innovative cupcake and wine pairing. This experience is a treat for both the palate and the imagination, combining the estate’s exceptional wines with uniquely flavoured cupcakes that draw inspiration from the local fynbos flora.

Gewürztraminer and Honeybush Cupcake: The aromatic Gewürztraminer is paired with a honeybush cupcake, capturing the essence of South African flora. The wine’s floral notes and the cupcake’s subtle sweetness create a harmonious blend.

Chardonnay Sur Lie and Fynbos Cupcake: This pairing showcases the rich, creamy texture of the Chardonnay Sur Lie, complemented by the delicate flavours of a fynbos-infused cupcake. The combination highlights the intricate balance between the wine’s complexity and the cupcake’s botanical nuances.

Pinotage Rosé and Buchu Cupcake: The refreshing Pinotage Rosé is paired with a buchu cupcake, featuring the distinctive herbal notes of this indigenous plant. This pairing is both refreshing and intriguing, offering a taste of South Africa’s unique botanical heritage.

Spatzendreck and Rooibos Cupcake: Delheim’s signature Spatzendreck wine, known for its sweet and fortified style, is paired with a rooibos cupcake. The rooibos adds a robust, earthy flavour that complements the wine’s rich, fruity profile.

6. Clos Malverne: Ice Cream and Wine

Clos Malverne, situated in the Devon Valley of Stellenbosch, offers a unique ice cream and wine pairing experience that is sure to tantalise your taste buds.

Operating Hours: Mon-Sun, 9:00 – 17:00.

Ice Cream and Wine Pairing R145pp

This innovative pairing combines Clos Malverne’s premium wines with artisanal ice creams, creating an unforgettable sensory experience. Each pairing is designed to bring out the best in both the wine and the ice cream.

7. Canettevallei Lavender Farm: Lavender Picking and Wine Tasting

Canettevallei Lavender Farm, located in Stellenbosch, offers a unique combination of lavender picking and wine tasting, providing a serene and aromatic experience.

Operating Hours: Mon-Sun, 9:00 – 17:00.

Lavender Picking – R50pp

From June to October, visitors can enjoy picking their own lavender bunches. The farm’s boutique winery, Super Single Vineyards, offers tastings of their exclusive wines, including Sémillon, Chenin, Malbec, Shiraz, and Cabernet.

Wine Tasting – R80pp

Enjoy a tasting of five wines in an intimate setting, either indoors or overlooking the beautiful lavender fields.

8. Nederburg Wines: Five Senses Experience

Nederburg Wines in Paarl offers a truly unique tasting experience designed to engage all your senses. FOMO offers you this experience exclusively so you can enjoy an immersive wine tasting adventure!

Operating Hours: Mon-Sun, 9:00 – 17:00.

Five Senses Experience – R550pp

This three-course canapé-style food and wine pairing strips away some senses to heighten others. The first course is tasted blindfolded, while the second and third courses include evocative sounds. This sensory adventure allows your imagination to run free, creating a personal and emotive experience.

9. Wine Tractor Vineyard Tour: An Adventurous Journey

For those seeking a bit of adventure with their wine tasting, the Wine Tractor Vineyard Tour in Stellenbosch offers a unique experience that combines exploration with tasting.

Operating Hours: Mon-Sun, 10:00 – 16:00.

Wine Tractor Vineyard Tour

Hop on a tractor and enjoy a guided tour of the vineyards, followed by a wine tasting session. This tour offers a fun and informative way to explore the vineyards and learn about the winemaking process.

10. D’Aria: Waffles and Wine

Located in the picturesque Durbanville Wine Valley, D’Aria offers a unique and indulgent waffle and wine pairing experience. Nestled amidst vineyards and rolling hills, D’Aria provides a serene setting to enjoy their fine wines paired with delectable sweet waffles.

Operating Hours: Mon-Sun, 9:00 – 17:00.

Waffle and Wine Pairing – R110pp

Available daily, this pairing features three of D’Aria’s wines matched with sweet waffles, creating a unique and indulgent tasting experience. This tasting experience is designed to elevate your senses and explore the harmony between wine and dessert. A visit to D’Aria promises not only exceptional wines and gourmet waffles but also a warm hospitality that reflects the essence of South African wine culture. The knowledgeable staff are eager to guide guests through each pairing, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the experience.

South Africa’s wine tasting experiences are as diverse and vibrant as the country itself. From gourmet popcorn pairings to lavender picking, each winery offers something unique, ensuring an unforgettable journey through the country’s rich winemaking heritage. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or a curious novice, these innovative pairings and scenic locations promise a wine tasting adventure like no other.