South Africa has a rich winemaking history that goes back over 350 years and includes Dutch, French, German and Italian influences. It’s a history that embraces all the best traditions of Old World wines while still exploring New World styles. Cape Town is the gateway to the South African Winelands and a culturally vibrant city with a rich, colourful history. It was here, in 1990, that Nelson Mandela took his historic walk to freedom, a watershed moment in the political and social transformation of the country.
April is a special month for us as we commemorate the first democratic non-racial elections in South Africa, which were held on 27 April 1994. It was then, close to 25 years ago, that the modern South African wine industry was born. Since then, our wines have taken a quantum leap forward. Vineyards have been replanted and hundreds of small wineries have opened. The growth has been driven by an exponential increase in quality, with each new year delivering exciting new wineries, more innovative young winemakers and even better wines.
We will be celebrating with a month-long, market-wide campaign and invite you to discover the quality and diversity of South Africa and its wines throughout the month of April. Over 100 participating outlets will be running fantastic offers to excite your taste buds! If you’re after a perfect wine pairing dinner, these spots will bring you the ultimate satisfaction:
Cuisine Cuisine ifc
A six-course Chinese menu with four South African wines from Franschhoek, the ‘French corner’ of South Africa.
Dynasty
South African abalone and wine promotion.
Hoi King Heen
A six-course Chinese menu featuring South African abalone paired with three Bouchard Finlayson wines from Hemel-en-Aarde (meaning ‘Heaven and Earth’) in Western Cape.
The French Window
A five-course South African fusion dinner with four classic South African wines.
For a more casual and relaxed moment, Mr & Mrs Fox are offering the favourite South African snack bunny chow (meat curry served in a bread bowl) with South African wine using the Coravin pour while La Vin will be dishing out a complimentary house cheese platter with every bottle of South African wine. Or try Zuma’s free-flow South African wine brunch.
For dining at home, Watson’s Wine is bringing a special selection of wine from PIWOSA (Premium Independent Wineries of South Africa) to showcase the diversity and quality of South Africa’s premium wine category. Major retailers including Market Place by Jasons, Oliver’s, Brix and Schmidt Vinothek are also running special promotions.
Even more outlets are featuring South African wines of the month and wines by the glass and will be running other special promotions. Visit WOSA’s website for the full list of participating outlets and their offers.
And don’t forget to share your South African Wine Moment on Facebook or Instagram with hashtag #drinkSA before 5 May 2017. You’ll stand a chance to win a Vintec 18-bottle wine cabinet and other fabulous prizes.
