Aaah! Everyone’s favourite reviews. I’m not here to tell you to smell the caramelised peach undertones with whiffs of Madagascan vanilla on the nose and sweet tobacco on the palate. Nope. I’m no wine or spirits connoisseur; merely an aficionado at most. So I’ll tell you if it’s a good wine and what food to pair it with. I’ll tell you how to make some killer cocktails with beautiful spirits, or even dabble in a bit of alcohol recipe development.
So if you’re here for elaborate tasting notes, not going to happen. If you’re here to find a decent bottle of wine for a family get-together or a stunning wine for a romantic meal for two, read further.
If you’re here for reviews of super expensive spirits that no-one on a budget can afford, you’re not going to find it. If you’re here to look for inspiration to impress at your next party with pretty cocktails made with super quality spirits, then you’ll love this page. Just saying.
Beer
Cider
Loxtonia apple cider: a celebration of Mother Nature’s fruits
Three cheers for Three Spades Cider!
Other
The Gin Box: Limited Edition Breast Cancer Awareness
De-alcoholised wines
Picnic with Piekenierskloof’s Six Hats De-Alcoholised wines
Non-alcoholic beverages
Bubbles for breakfast: Van Loveren’s Absolutely Zero sparkles
De Krans’ Moscato: a festive tribute to the muscadel grape
Certainly no buzzkill – Robertson Winery’s non-alcoholic dry sparkling pink
Drinking consciously with John Ross
Brunch with Robertson Winery’s non-alcoholic bubbles
Spirits
Sugarbird Craft Spirits introduces XO Brandy
Copeland Spirits – capturing the heart of Cape Town summers
Leonista 100% Karoo Agave: best served with a side of wild adventure
We all scream for ice cream: Four Cousins’ duo of Cream Liqueurs
OPIHR Gin: be inspired by the spices of the Orient
Cruxland Gin: turning every day into an adventure
Conserving a classic: Wixworth Gin saves rhinos
The Great White – Cape Town rum with a bite!
Brooklyn Gin arrives on South African shores
Merriment & Co: Sierra Tequila (Silver & Reposado)
Merriment & Co: The Dubliner Whiskey Caramel (truffle recipe)
Launch of the Cape Town Gin Route – tasting notes on gin distilleries
Wine
Bag or bottle – Zandvliet’s Cape Blends are your Best Friends
Grand gouda and wine: Leopard’s Leap Culinaria Grand Vin 2019
A celebration of an exceptional harvest: Stellenbosch Hills’ Kastanjeberg 2020
Together through collaboration: Boland Cellar’s new-look One Formation wines
Deetlefs Wine Estate: three courses for three bottles – a celebratory meal
Timed to perfection: 50 years of Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel
Zandvliet’s Shiraz 2017 and a cheat’s sausage pie
Glen Carlou wines delight from soil to glass
Thinking inside the box: Fleur du Cap’s bag-in-a-box Rosé
A table for two: Steenberg’s stylish 2020 Sauvignon Blancs
The simple pleasures: Cathedral Cellar wines and Mynhardt’s spiced harvest bread
Legacy in a bottle: Kruger Family Reserve Shiraz and Chardonnay
Red red wine: my latest winter accessories from Ernie Els Wines
Robertson Winery’s winter warming line up
Winter warmers: butter chicken bunny chow and Skyline Wine
FAT Fig Newtons with FAT bastard’s Rosé 2020
Nobody can romance like Anthonij Rupert: Jean Roi Cap Provincial Rosé 2018
Fish on Friday: Diemersdal’s Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Last of the summer wine: Bouchard Finlayson’s most beloved sippers
How to make my eyes sparkle: L’Ormarins Cap Classique
Bold new branding for Boland Cellar: Reserve Range and One Formation
A partnership for the planet: Hardy’s Nottage Hill flat wine bottles
An exceptional year: Welgegund Heritage Wines’ 2019 vintages
A West Coast Cap Classique: Groote Post introduces Brut
The views are exceptional from the top – Journey’s End Vineyards’ Precision range
Make V-Day a ME-day with Leopard’s Leap Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir
Another feather in Rhino Run Wine’s green cap as they go organic
Pretty as a picture: Elgin Vintners’ new Fynbos Lite Premium wine cans
PROE – the perfect way to experience Diemersfontein Wines
Pineapple upside down cake and Skyline Late Harvest
The craft of coffee and wine: Barista Wine’s Pinotage 2020
De Krans’ Moscato: a festive tribute to the muscadel grape
It all starts with the soil: Zandvliet’s Shiraz 2017 and Chardonnay 2019
Back to the classics with Roodeberg’s Classic Red 2019
About cake and wine: Garden Route Sauvignon Blanc 2019
A story of sea and Sauvignon Blanc: Groote Post’s Seasalter 2020
Stellenbosch Hills celebrates 75 years with four wondrous whites
Roodeberg Classic Rosé 2020 calls for summer nostalgia
Ben Wren Wine Co spritzes up summer with new range of sippers
Good things take time; dining with a trio of Delheim Wines
Wine wanderlust with Perdeberg Wines’ Vineyard Collection
Sipping pretty with De Krans Wines’ Pinotage Rosé 2020
With love from Rascallion Wines – bottles with a cause
De Krans Wines delights with a basket press Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Single is sometimes better: Four Cousins’ Single Varietal Collection
Kunjani Wines’ Stolen Chicken Rosé 2020: the best thing about this year
Muratie’s wines are a lifestyle: Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz
Excelsior’s Reserve Range: about horses, seasons and courage
Celebrating Chardonnay with Vondeling Wines’ Barrel Selection 2019
Van Loveren’s Chardonnays: proud ambassadors of the Robertson Valley
Van Loveren’s Retief Reserve 2018: an ode to winter and wine-making
De Blaauwe Klip 2017: a bottle that celebrates its roots
Celebrating Pinot Noir day with Elgin Ridge Wines’ CRUNCH!
Once, twice with FAT bastard’s Chardonnay: 2019 vintage
Robertson Winery’s single serve wines in a can
Cool air and high vines: Elgin Vintners’ 2018 Chardonnay
About heritage and heroes: Nederburg’s The Anchorman Chenin Blanc 2018
Middelvlei Rooster Merlot 2019 meets meaty beef bourguignon
Middelvlei Rooster Rosé 2019 meets baked guava pudding
Middelvlei’s Rooster Shiraz 2019 meets deconstructed nachos feast
The simplicity of Sauvignon Blanc: La Motte 2019
Middelvlei’s Rooster Sauvignon Blanc meets herby chicken pilaf
Draw inspiration from Flagstone Wines’ Writer’s Block Pinotage 2018
Flagstone Treaty Tree Wines: bottles tangled in stories
Add these Flagstone Wines to your post-lockdown shopping list: Longitude and Free Run
Flagstone Wines’ Word of Mouth Viognier 2018 – have you heard
Elgin Ridge wines: a virtual explore of the Valley through my glass
The charm of Carménère: A Rosé for South Africa
Kunjani, summer! About a Chenin Blanc and a chicken
Finding love in the everyday: Zandvliet Shiraz Rosé
Celebrating the craft of Krone Méthode Cap Classique
The next chapter of Journey’s End wines: the “V Series”
Ben Wren Wine Co – because everybody CAN!
A refreshing take on an old classic: Middelvlei Unoaked Chardonnay 2019
The scents of summer with Cathedral Cellar and Chef Mynhardt Joubert
Soak up the sun with FAT bastard’s Chenin Blanc 2018
My favourite favourite: Groot Phesantekraal wines
Recipe books and Robertson Winery: a match made in the kitchen
The appeal of Pinot Noir: Lourensford the Dome
My sultry summer companion: De Krans Moscato
A legacy in a bottle: Van Loveren’s Perlé de Jean
A new dawn breaks with Skyline Late Harvest
Through rosé-tinted glasses: Weltevrede’s Turkish Delight
An ode to wine: Flagstone Poetry Chenin Blanc and Pinotage 2019
Sparkle every day with Anthonij Rupert Wines’ L’Ormarins MCC
Feast this summer with Fiver Frizzanté
A seasonal interlude: the song of Weltevrede Providence 2015
A sensory journey with Lourensford’s The Dome Ethel
Balance conservation and lifestyle with Hank the elephant
Creating magic with Vondeling’s Monsonia 2016
Drink a glass, save a rhino: Van Loveren’s Rhino Run wines
Top of the class for FAT bastard’s Chardonnay 2018
The tale of Journey’s End Vineyards
Whet your winter appetite with Vriesenhof’s GSM 2017
Boxed in for all the right reasons: Ben Wren Wine
Come play with Vriesenhof’s unwooded Chardonnay!
Along the path of tradition with Constitution Road wines
Borne from passion, crafted in strength: Strydom Wines
A (non) question of compromise: Groot Phesantekraal wines
Self-care with Robertson’s Pink Sparkling Brut Rosé
Groote Post’s Seasalter: summer in a bottle
Leopard’s Leap Very Berry Merrytinis (Chenin Blanc 2018)
Alto Rouge 2016, with a recipe for beef brisket and red wine marinade
Groote Post: Salt of the Earth 2015
Welgegund Heritage Wines: Chenin Blanc 2017 and Providence 2015
Groot Phesantekraal Wines: Sauvignon Blanc & Cabernet Sauvignon
Neil Ellis Sauvignon Blanc Wines
International Chardonnay Day: Groote Post, Glenelly Estate and Neil Ellis wines
Father’s Day 2018: Top three wine gifts: FAT bastard and Groote Post wines
