WeeklySA_AdminSouth Africa’s Platter’s Guide has released its 45th edition, all with an elegant blue-green cover-colour that speaks of Cape vineyards’ unique location between two oceans.
The guide’s founders, journalists and winelovers John and Erica Platter, in the late 1970s were inspired by Hugh Johnson’s pioneering Pocket Wine Book to compile a local version, with wine tasting notes, ratings, potted winery profiles and general information useful to consumers. Ignoring the advice of a compositor at their printing company not to ‘waste money on a boring book’, they launched the first edition in 1980 and went on to grow the title into a perennial top seller.
The landmark 45th edition features well over 900 producers, merchants and brands, including 30 new ones, and over 8 000 locally produced wines, as well as brandies, husk spirits and sherry-style wines.
The guide’s descriptions and ratings, compiled in association with a team of leading experts, make it easy to find the right wine for any occasion, while the good-value indicators highlight those bottlings which are especially budget friendly across all quality levels.
Platter’s 2025 also packs extensive information on where to go and what to do in wine country. Wine-tasting options are covered in detail, along with many winery amenities, attractions and activities, plus dining and accommodation in Cape Town and the winelands. It retails for R427.
EVENTS
FRANSCHHOEK BUBBLY FEST
One of Cape winelands’ highly popular calendar events, the Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne Festival, turns for its two-day fiesta at the local Franschhoek Huguenot Monument Festival Grounds on November 30.
The festival promises to be another dazzling celebration drawing bubbly enthusiasts from all across South Africa. The event unfolds over a weekend rich with epicurean delights, providing plenty of reasons to raise a glass and share a toast. The venue is renowned for its garden-party style atmosphere – and invites guests to dress up and don their finest attire for “the Best Dressed Competition”, with the theme “Elegantly Floral,” beautifully capturing the vibrant essence of the season and the surrounding beauty of the renowned Cape Floral Kingdom.
Over two lively days, festival-goers can enjoy performances by popular acts such as the Majozi Band and the Absolutely Fabulous Duo.
Tickets cost R400 a person, via Webtickets. Upon entry, attendees will receive a complimentary glass champagne flute along with 10 tasting tokens. The event starts at 11am.
OYSTER AND WINE FEST
Gauteng wine lovers will be making a beeline for the Oyster and Wine Festival, hosted by WineDown Boutique Bar and Retail Store in Centurion, on November 30.
The event starts at 4pm, and tickets cost R150 via Quicket.
Organisers promise an unforgettable experience, featuring a glut of great wines, good vibes, and great food!
The line-up for tasting of selected wines from Cederberg, Ken Forrester, Spijker and Bessie, Simonsig, Iona, and Alleé Bleue. Patrons will receive a complimentary tasting glass for the tasting that you can take home.
Oysters will be available for purchase, along with sushi from Chopstick SA and our lovely charcuterie boards to round out your tasting experience.The evening involves savouring the perfect pairing of fine wines, fresh oysters, and delicious bites.
DURB’S OCEANS WINE FEST
Durban wine lovers are up for an outing of sipping, savouring and celebrating some of the best wines from the Cape winelands at the Oceans Wine Festival, which will be held Umhlanga on November 28.
Organisers of the event promise a night to remember, featuring an exclusive tasting from 12 of South Africa’s top wine estates, including Babylonstoren, Graham Beck, Steenberg and more! Enjoy live music by Matt Davies and Tim Lewis in a vibrant atmosphere.
Secure your spot for R250, available via Webtickets, which includes access, a wine-tasting glass, and live entertainment. The event takes place outside Oceans Mall’s Norman Goodfellows, and starts at 5pm.
SUNDAZE AT DURBANVILLE HILLS
Durbanville Hills is the place to be this summer when they combine magnificent views of Table Mountain and Table Bay with music, cocktails, award-winning wines and a fabulous vibe during a series of festive season events.
DJs will play cool tunes ranging from Deep House, RnB to HipHop as guests relax on the lawns with food served from the Olive Grove Bistro, wine tastings, and beer on tap as you connect with friends and family.
For festive merriment, guests can write Christmas wishes and decorate interactive canvasses on the bottle tree (December 1, 15 and 29). Other scheduled fun days are January 12 and 26; February 9; March 2, 16 and 30.
Cullinan Summer Wine Fest
The 2nd Cullinan Summer Wine Festival will take place at the Premiermyn Hervormde Kerk grounds in Cullinan in Gauteng on November 30.
During the event, estates from all over the Western Cape will gather to showcase their top wines. Being summer, one can look forward to some interesting white wines, Rose, sparkling wines and Champagne as well as a variety of liqueurs, whisky, brandy and gin.
The festival incorporates a crafts market with stalls selling arts and crafts and handmade accessories as well as sumptuous food.
Tickets to this event include a wine glass and unlimited tasting from 10h00 to 17h00, as well as live performances by Scheppel, Fanus Pienaar & AJ DeVos. Tickets cost R100. – Compiled by Len Maseko
PICK ‘N PAY TASTING
Pick n Pay is hosting the Winemakers Table Virtual Tasting, in association with De Grendel wine estate on December 5.
The evening, which starts at 6pm, will involve the pairing of the estate’s wines with delicious canapés supplied by the retail supermarket chain to the homes of wine lovers who purchase tickets via Webtickets, costing R650 and R960.
The ticket entitles the holder to a pairing pack which consists of:
• Three bottles of wine: De Grendel Proposal Hill Brut Rosé 750ml; De Grendel Sauvignon Blanc 750ml and De Grendel Merlot 750ml
• All the ingredients for the canapés, which include a mature cheddar cracker with whipped feta, spiced pickled beetroot, crispy capers and a berry coulis etc. Delivery of the pairing packs will only be made within 50kms of Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. – Compiled by Len Maseko
