We are excited to bring you a guest post on wine pairings in Cape Town. I have very little experience with South African wines, so I was excited when Brittany reached out with this post idea. I hope you all will enjoy it as much as I did – it makes me hungry AND thirsty!
Guest Post By Brittany Hawkins
There’s only one thing better than having wine on a beautiful estate in our area – enjoying it with a perfect Cape Town food pairing. Not only does it improve the flavor of the wine, but it’s also an excellent way to get exposed to unusual combinations. Let’s have a look at some interesting gourmet food and wine pairings to entice your taste buds for a wine tour and local foods to try in Cape Town.
Turkish Delight at Lourensford
There are various tastings to try at the famous Lourensford Market and one of the very best is the Turkish Delight pairing. A wine pairing in Cape Town that takes the complex flavor profiles of the wine to an exciting new level with sweet appetizers of almond, rose, orange and ginger Turkish Delight. If you’re longing for sweet things isn’t satisfied by this tasting, you can top it up with a chocolate pairing afterward.
Cupcakes at Delheim
A decedent food and wine pairing in Cape Town. Yes, cupcakes and wine may seem a little a strange, but once you experience it, you’ll know that it is a match made in heaven. At Delheim Wine Estate, you can enjoy delicate flavors of cupcakes like pomegranate, pumpkin, and vanilla, rooibos-infused with lemon and cream cheese, and traditional makataan with a vast assortment of wine including Chenin Blanc, Pinotage Rosé, Pinotage, and Gewürztramine.
Nougat and Bubbly at Villieria
While most farms start off with bubbly or have it as an optional extra, Villieria has a full tasting centered around bubbly. Originally inspired by a successful placement at a food and wine exhibit, this sweet tasting offers honey nougat filled with almonds and cranberries, Macadamia honey nougat, almond nougat and rose pink Turkish Delight paired with the farm’s various Brits and MCCs.
Ice cream at Clos Malverne
For those who have an adventurous sweet tooth, you will enjoy the ice creaming pairing at Clos Malverne. Situated in the less-frequented area of Stellenbosch, you can try an interesting selection of ice cream flavors together with the estate’s wine. Flavors include passion fruit or chili and coconut ice-cream matched with the estate’s Sauvignon Blanc Brut. Other delectable ice cream flavors you can anticipate include vanilla shortbread and gooseberry, strawberry and rosemary meringue, and sweet potato and dill.
Pancakes at Uitkyk
At Uitkyk Wine Estate you will be treated to a sampling board of five distinctively stuffed pancakes, each coupled with an accompanying Uitkyk wine, inside the estate’s Georgian-era manor house. Some incredibly creative pairings include roasted butternut matched with Chardonnay, Thai green curry with Chenin blanc, and chocolate ganache-and-berry compote paired with Uitkyk’s top wine, Carlonet.
Biltong at L’avenir
Take two of the finest locally created delights, combine them, and what do you get? An epic flavor explosion that will blow your mind. Enter the Pinotage and Biltong pairing at L’Avenir Wine Estate. An impressive range of spiced biltong products paired with specific wines for a taste sensation that will have you coming back for more.
Olive oil at Morgenster
Morgenster is a flourishing olive and wine farm dating back to 1711, producing internationally acclaimed Bordeaux-style wines and extra-virgin olive oil of astounding quality. Visitors enjoy and olive oil and wine tasting but be sure to order an olive platter consisting of five olive oils, balsamic vinegar, olive pastes, and olives to get the full experience.
Cheese at Fairview
Indulge in one of the most seasoned food pairings – cheese and wine – and visit the renowned Fairview cheesery and goat tower for a wine and cheese tasting. The pairing features an assortment of six to eight of Fairview’s Jersey milk and goat’s milk cheeses with a selection of the finest South African wines.
Chocolate at Hidden Valley
On the slopes of the Helderberg mountains, nestled among vineyards, olive groves, almond orchards, and fynbos gardens, Hidden Valley is a treasure waiting to be discovered. Take in the breathtaking views of the Stellenbosch valley below, while enjoying the favorite chocolate and wine pairing or experience an olive and olive oil tasting.
Regardless of what mood you’re in, the Cape Winelands has just the food and wine pairing you’re searching for. However, get your calendar ready as bookings are usually required.
For more information on South African Wine farms and how to visit them when in South Africa, Explore Sideways has all the information you will ever need.
About Brittany Hawkins
Brittany’s passion for food and wine began in her hometown, Napa Valley, California, where she grew up immersed in the wine industry. After receiving a degree from DePauw University, she began her career in Silicon Valley in the advertising and marketing industries. Brittany moved to Cape Town 3 years ago where she launched Explore Sideways and has since been able to marry her interests in food, wine, travel, and tech to create transformative experiences around the world.
