Cap Classique First Start Course, a one-day session for bubbly romantics covering the intricacies of the tipple that is a common feature at many celebrations.

Those who attend are exposed to a fun and exciting interactive encounter with Cap Classique in a three-hour session. This course is aimed at anyone who has the slightest curiosity in Cap Classique from complete beginners to enthusiastic lovers of bubbles.

If you love Cap Classique you will love this First Star course. In collaboration with the Cap Classique Association, this lovely bubbly first-level lesson is hosted by a Cape Wine Master and the course will leave you feeling inspired to share the love of South Africa’s answer to bubbly made in the same way as Champagne. It includes the basics of how South Africa’s finest bubbles are made, practical service rituals, tips to make the most of your appreciation as well as a tasting journey through the various styles and expressions of the category.

This is what you can expect: a welcome flute of Cap Classique, and a fun and entertaining insight into where Cap Classique comes from, how it’s made, what makes it unique and how best to cellar, serve and match it with food for ultimate enjoyment; a tasting of 8 Cap Classiques; tasting of four styles of Cap Classique paired with food.

EVENTS

MICHELANGELO WINE SHOWS

Two tasting shows featuring top wines and spirits brands from the recent Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards are scheduled for this weekend and next month.

Southern Sun will host the exclusive showcase, starting tonight with Michelangelo Wine Tasting event taking place at the Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa in the Overberg tonight and tomorrow. This will be followed by another event at Southern Sun Rosebank on November 10 and 11. Guests can anticipate an adventurous journey through an extensive selection of more than 100 premium South African wine and spirits brands at both shows.

Wines to be featured at the tastings were announced at a glittering Michelangelo Awards ceremony at the Cape Sun recently. The awards are renowned for assembling an outstanding panel comprising 18 international judges from 15 countries and six accomplished South African wine judges, using the universally acknowledged 100-point OIV judging system, with judges conducting their assessments ‘blind’, guaranteeing impartiality.

Medals at the Michelangelo Awards are awarded in tiers, with the Grand Prix Award recognising the top-scoring wine and spirits across all categories; and the Trophy Awards, honouring the highest-scoring tipple within its respective category. These are then followed by platinum, gold and silver medals.

Marcel von Aulock, Chief Executive of Southern Sun, commented on the hotel group’s enduring partnership with the Michelangelo Awards, saying, “We are delighted to be hosting the Michelangelo Wine Tasting Events and look forward to welcoming wine enthusiasts in the months ahead.”

Mynard Slabbert, co-owner of the Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards, emphasised the significance of the Wine Tasting Events, stating, “These events serve as a splendid showcase for the 2023 Michelangelo winners. These tasting events bring together the wines, winemakers, and producers, offering local wine enthusiasts, sommeliers, restaurateurs, and merchants an exclusive opportunity to engage with them and savour their award-winning creations firsthand.” Tickets can be purchased online at Computicket for R350 per person. Each ticket provides, bottomless wine tasting, and a light meal.

CAROLINE’S FINEST WINES

Caroline’s White Wine & Cap Classique Review 2023, hailed as one of the most coveted tasting events on the South African wine calendar, returns to the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town on November 1.

Presented by Cape Town’s legendary Caroline Rillema, this world-class annual showcase gives wine enthusiasts the rare opportunity to discover and savour the Cape’s very best flagship white wines and Cap Classiques all under one roof.

A total of 85 accolade-achieving winemakers, the crème de la crème of South African wine producers, are invited exclusively to present just one wine – their best of the best – on the evening.

While the Cape’s top tier Chardonnays, Chenin Blancs, Sauvignon Blancs, Semillons, Rieslings and classic Bordeaux-style blends are well represented, the exciting line-up of masterly crafted blends from lesser-known grape varieties are waiting to be discovered. These predominantly Chenin Blanc driven wines blended with Mediterranean varieties such as Roussanne, Marsanne, Clairette Blanche and Viognier, as well as Portuguese Verdelho, are simply sensational. A fine selection of acclaimed Cap Classiques will set the tone for the evening.

 “We are delighted to bring the Cape’s finest producers of white wines and Cap Classique together once again, giving lovers of fine wine the incredible opportunity to meet and engage with the passionate people behind these phenomenal labels,” says Rillema whose eponymous stores, Caroline’s Fine Wine Cellar, in Sea Point and Tokai are known internationally as the place to go for the very best in wine. Rillema and her team will host the event from 17h00 to 21h00. Tickets available at R450 per person via Quicket.

Stellies Street Soirées

The Stellenbosch Street Soirées, ever-popular series of social events of food, wine and live music beneath the wine capital’s famous oak trees, take place on November 22.

This year’s pop-up series on Drostdy Street will be held on specific days from November to March with the first Soirée happening next month.

“As many have already discovered, our Street Soirées are the occasion to be immersed in the Stellenbosch lifestyle,” says Elmarie Rabe, manager of Stellenbosch Wine Routes and organiser of the event. “With the hours of each Soirée limited to between 18:00 and 20:00, they’re ideal for enjoying pre-dinner drinks with friends ahead of a meal at one of Stellenbosch’s many fine restaurants.”

The Western Cape town is renowned, not only as home to the most awarded wineries in the country, but also as South Africa’s leading culinary destination.

During the Stellenbosch Street Soirées, wine lovers converge for a vibrant sundowner occasion, centred on mingling, tasting and snacking. A portion of Drostdy Street is closed off from traffic and decorated in elegant festive style. Food is supplied in the form of stalls selling light bites while each evening also features a different selection of wineries. The dates pencilled for the whoopee are November 22, December 6, January 10 and 24, February 7 and 21, and March 6 and 20. Entry is R190 per person (including a glass and 10 wine tasting tokens). Tickets available online

WINE GARDEN PARTY

Vergelegen Wine Estate, a jewel in Somerset West renowned for its breathtaking gardens, exquisite wines and culinary delights, is set to host an enchanting spring event in collaboration with leading design and garden magazine House & Garden on October 21.

The Spring Experience is the estate’s first partnership with the luxury Condé Nast publishing brand. This must-attend event is planned for Saturday, 21 October, from 11h00 to 16h00.

With a single ticket purchase, guests enjoy access to the 323-year-old estate, recognised as a provincial heritage site, and embark on a captivating journey.

The ticket includes a picnic box curated by Vergelegen’s talented chefs in collaboration with House & Garden’s partners. Guests will also enjoy a wine tasting and receive a branded gift bag and the latest issue of House & Garden. The day’s festivities include live music, a photo booth, guided garden walks and spot prizes.

Ticket holders will also enjoy entry to a vibrant market stocked with products from some of South Africa’s leading lifestyle brands. These include scented candles, lotions and room sprays inspired by the enchanting gardens of Vergelegen, together with a variety of plants and other delightful offerings. The market, set under a generous marquee, will take centre stage on Vergelegen’s Great Lawn, in front of the manor house.

Tickets cost R350a per adult, which includes an adult’s picnic box, or R650 a couple with picnic boxes. R150 a child aged 3-12 years, including a child’s picnic box. Children under three years enter free. Tickets available via Quicket.

WINEX ON WAY

The renowned WineX annual wine festival is set to spoil Gauteng revellers with three nights of tastings and interactions with award-winning winemakers, when it takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg from October 25 to 27.

The story of WineX began almost 50 years ago and now attracts a wine-savvy crowd of up to 10 000 attendees and hosts regional shows across the country.

At the festival, visitors can sample wines, champagnes, Cap Classiques, ports and pot-still brandies from over 150 exhibitors; the who’s who of the South African wine scene. Additionally, there will be specialty meats, olives, cheese, and chocolates, and an opportunity for wine-lovers to pause between tasting to enjoy a light meal or a wholesome snack. The line-up includes over 800 wines, most of which are from the Cape.  Show times are from 17h00 to 21h00, tickets are on sale via webtickets . Early Bird tickets for Wednesday (R200), Thursday (R225) and Friday (R255) per person.

From 15 October, full rate tickets are R245, R265 and R295 for the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights respectively. There are additional discounts for Standard Bank credit, debit and cheque cardholders.

Bulk tickets (at least 10): Direct bookings can be made through the WineX office at winex@outsorceress.co.za. All discounted ticket sales (direct and online) end on 15 October 2023. of international wines and champagnes.