WHAT’S ON—EVENTS IN AND

SA CO CKTAI L WE EK, 29 FE BUARY - 7 MARCH 2020 Pencil in this 7-day festival that celebrates South Africa’s vibrant cocktail industry. is annual shindig is dedicated to the art of cocktail making and the very best of our local bar scene. Expect bar hopping tours, master classes, an awards ceremony and, of course, the obligatory over the shoulder shaking. Kick o the celebrations with the “Grand Street Party” on Saturday, 29 Feb. www.sacocktailweek.co.za

WHAT’S ON Festivals and Events Around SA

ROBERTSON WINE VALLEY HANDS-ON HARVEST FESTIVAL, 28 FEBRUARY-1 MARCH This annual down-to-earth celebration offers families a chance to really experience the magic of harvest time. With over twenty Robertson (and surrounding) wineries participating, this fruity fiesta offers visitors a wide variety of tailor-made activities and delicious food too. www.handsonharvest.com T HE OYSTER & B UB BLY FESTI VAL , 28 FE BRUARY Slip into a bubbly and oyster oasis at the rst-ever Annual Oyster & Bubbly Festival at e Pearls of Umhlanga Mall in Durban. Pop into one of Durban’s coolest spots where you can enjoy a variety of oysters freshly shucked, sautéed or simmered—all paired with over 25 of the best bubblies around. www.quicket.co.za

THE WINE GRAPE HARVEST AT DUSK WITH NEDERBURG, 8 FEBRUARY It’s almost that time of the year again when Nederburg’s team face the 2020 grape harvest head-on. As always, the beautiful Paarl winery invites guests to come and experience the harvest first-hand, providing the opportunity to snip, squash and taste to your heart’s content. www.nederburg.com

1. Natural Wine For  e People by Alice Feiring What do you say about a style that focuses on minimal intervention, lack of additives and organic growing methods? Alice Feiring offers an accessible guide fi lled with easy defi nitions, tips and tricks for sourcing the best natural wines. R297 from Exclusive Books. 2. Becoming a Sommelier by Rosie Schaap Acclaimed food and wine writer Rosie Schaap profi les two renowned sommeliers to offer a candid portrait of this profession. Learn from Amanda Smeltz (a poet and wine director) and Roger Dagorn (an award-winning sommelier) to see what it takes. R299 from Takealot. 3. Vignette: Stories of Life and Wine in 100 Bottles by Jane Lopes In Vignette, sommelier Jane Lopes recommends 100 bottles of wine to best expand your wine journey. As Lopes says, “These are wines to live with, learn from and take solace in—a joyous, surprising, and revelatory response to that age-old question: ‘What should I drink?’” R388 from Exclusive Books. THREE WINE BOOKS TO READ IN 2020 Natural Wine For The People courtesy of Ten Speed Press Becoming A Sommelier courtesy of Simon & Schuster UK Vignette courtesy of Hardie Grant UK

A SEASONAL MENU THAT SIZZLES Lanzerac’s MANOR KITCHEN has launched a new summer menu that shows off some of South Africa’s best produce. Executive Chef Stephen Fraser and his team have been hard at work creating a world-class dining experience for Lanzerac’s guests. On the new menu you can enjoy the likes of an Exotic Mushroom Salad, Tuna Tartare and Venison Carpaccio for starters. For mains, there’s a hearty choice of dishes such as Noisette of Lamb, Sirloin of Beef, Duck Breast to name a few. And for dessert? Well, we think you should go and see for yourself. To book your spot email restaurants@lanzerac.co.za

WINE & DINE What’s New in Food and Wine

Serving Up Scoops of Love Meet 30-year-old Sine Ndlela, founder of local vegan ice-cream brand, YOCOCO. With a background in TV, Sine is self-taught when it comes to all things ice creamy. Her entrepreneurial journey began with a lifestyle change, where she had to cut out dairy from her diet. A self-confessed ice-cream addict, she said she struggled to fi nd a decent dairy-free ice-cream. And so, Yococo was born. With the tag line, ‘Scoops of Love’ Yococo products are 100% plant-based, made with locally sourced ingredients and contain no artifi cial fl avours or colourants. “I believe we’re all here to serve,” Sine says. And for me, I think it’s to serve love. And, what do I love more than anything? Ice-cream.” www.yococo.co.za

A NEW HOME FOR CAUSE|EFFECT Cape Town’s favourite cocktail bar, CAUSE|EFFECT has moved to a new home at the V&A Waterfront. To accompany their new digs, the talented bunch has also launched a new lip-smackingly good summer menu. “ is summer there is a big focus on fragrant and aromatic drinks, not overly sweet tropical  avours,” says owner Kurt Schlechter.  e new location is a pretty stylish spot, complete with heaps of indoor greenery and charming vintage touches. Cause|E ect’s food is designed to partner with their long list of cra ed cocktails and classic drinks. Enjoy Eggs Benedict for breakfast, Beef Burger Sliders for lunch and a Seafood Platter for dinner. CAUSE|EFFECT is open from Monday to Sunday from 10am-12am.

GABRIËLSKLOOF’S ‘LITTLE DARLING’ Gabriëlskloof celebrates a special occasion with the 10th release of its everyday favourite ROSEBUD ROSÉ. “A dry, light and deliciously moreish Provençal-style rosé,” says cellar master PeterAllan Finlayson. Rosebud is a blended wine with the 2019 vintage comprising equal amounts of Syrah and Viognier. Expect luscious fruit on the nose — watermelon, papaya and strawberry.  e perfect Valentine’s Day tipple. www.gabrielskloof.co.za

Where Do You Stand With Wine In A Can? While boxed wine (or better known as papsak this side of the equator) seems to be getting better and better, what do we think of wine in a can? Recently, we’ve noticed more and more wine-ina-can producers popping up throughtout SA. It’s said that the can itself does not impact the  avour or breathability of the wine.  ese wine cans also make for a neat, lighter replacement when glass is strictly prohibited in public places such as parks, gardens and pools. noticed more and more wine-ina-can producers popping up throughtout SA. It’s said that the can itself does not impact the  avour or breathability of the wine.  ese wine cans also make for a neat, lighter replacement when glass is strictly prohibited in public places such as parks, gardens and pools.

 ree Canned Wine Brands To Try: 1. Ben Wren Wine: Available in a Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, Red Blend and Bubble Rosé. www.benwrenwine.com 2. Uncanny: Available in a Merlot and Chenin Blanc with no sulphur added. www.uncanny.co.za 3. CanCan: Available in a Rosé and Chenin Blanc. www.cancan.wine WHAT MAKES A GOOD WINE LIST? Here are  ve simple ways to tell a good wine list from a bad one: 1.  ere’s a good selection: Not just by the bottle, but there’s also a good selection of wines by the glass too. 2. Reasonable mark-ups: We know restaurants need to make money, but if you notice the wines are way above retail price, order tap water or a beer instead. 3.  ey suggest pairings: It’s always a good idea to be given suggested pairings; even the most educated wine drinker will appreciate them. 4. Good glassware:  e  nest wine can be spoilt served with a side of lipstick smudge.  e right, clean and beautiful glassware can make all the di erence. 5. Knowledgeable sta : Apart from using a good type font and a swanky leather binder for the wine list, the establishment’s sta need to know what to recommend and why.