Swirl and Spice

Swirl and Spice Swirl and Spice...and everything nice! Appreciation for good food & w**e with elegance and finesse. W**e is the essence that makes every meal an occasion.

W**emag.co.za Prescient_SA ๐‚๐š๐›๐ž๐ซ๐ง๐ž๐ญ ๐’๐š๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ข๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ง ๐‘๐ž๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ”Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the worldโ€™s most recognised red gr...
08/10/2026

W**emag.co.za Prescient_SA ๐‚๐š๐›๐ž๐ซ๐ง๐ž๐ญ ๐’๐š๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ข๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ง ๐‘๐ž๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ”

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the worldโ€™s most recognised red grape varieties, with Bordeauxโ€™s Left Bank considered its traditional home. Appellations including Margaux, Pauillac, St-Estรจphe, St-Julien and Graves have played a significant role with regards to Cabernet Sauvignon.

A variety known for its deep colour, distinctive blackcurrant character, firm tannins and impressive ageability. While it has its challenges to ripen fully, blending it with Merlot can bring softness and richness to the w**e.

Cabernet Sauvignon also has a significant presence in South Africa, accounting for 10.1% of vineyard area at the end of 2025 and ranking as the 4th most widely planted variety.

For the 2026 W**emag Prescient Fund Services Cabernet Sauvignon Report, 71 w**es from 51 producers were tasted and judged.

The Top 10 w**es:
โ€ข95 | Ernie Els Major Series 2025
โ€ข94 | Benguela Cove Vinography 2023
โ€ข94 | Delaire Graff Reserve 2023
โ€ข94 | Kleine Zalze Family Reserve 2022
โ€ข94 | Vriesenhof 2024
โ€ข93 | Babylonstoren 2024
โ€ข93 | Blaauwklippen Cabernet Sauvignon 2024
โ€ข93 | Diemersdal The Journal 2024
โ€ข93 | Peter Falke Kailani 2021
โ€ข93 | Zevenwacht Z Collection Reserve 2024

**emag **ereport **elands **e GETWINE Aspiring Couriers

W**emag.co.za Prescient_SA ๐‚๐š๐ฉ๐ž ๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ž๐š๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐‘๐ž๐ ๐๐ฅ๐ž๐ง๐ ๐‘๐ž๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ”Bordeaux-style red blends have a longstanding place in the...
08/10/2026

W**emag.co.za Prescient_SA ๐‚๐š๐ฉ๐ž ๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ž๐š๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐‘๐ž๐ ๐๐ฅ๐ž๐ง๐ ๐‘๐ž๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ”

Bordeaux-style red blends have a longstanding place in the world of w**e, with the Bordeaux region in southwest France particularly renowned for w**es that can develop beautifully with age.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are the leading varieties, with Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot also playing their part in these classic blends.

The 2026 report features 48 entries from 38 producers, blind tasted by a judging panel and scored according to the 100-point quality scale.

Of the winners entered, 25 rated 90 points or higher, with an average price of R473 per bottle. The top 10 had an average of R635 per bottle.

The Top 10 w**es:
โ€ข94 | Eikendal Vineyards | Stellenbosch. Classique 2022
โ€ข93 | Alto W**e Estate M.P.H.S. 2022
โ€ข93 | Babylonstoren Nebukadnesar 2024
โ€ข93 | Tokara W**e & Olive Farm Directorโ€™s Reserve Red 2021
โ€ข93 | Zorgvliet W**es Richelle 2021
โ€ข92 | Diemersdal W**e Estate Private Collection 2024
โ€ข92 | Ernie Els W**es Signature 2023
โ€ข92 | Franschhoek Cellar The Last Elephant 2022
โ€ข92 | La Bri W**e Estate, Franschhoek Affinity 2022
โ€ข92 | Vrede en Lust Estate Boet Erasmus 2021

**emag **ereport **elands **e

๐–๐ข๐ง๐ž๐ฆ๐š๐  ๐๐ซ๐ž๐ฌ๐œ๐ข๐ž๐ง๐ญ ๐…๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐’๐ž๐ซ๐ฏ๐ข๐œ๐ž๐ฌ ๐‚๐ก๐š๐ซ๐๐จ๐ง๐ง๐š๐ฒ ๐‘๐ž๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ”The 2026 Chardonnay Report, convened by W**emag.co.za and sponsore...
07/10/2026

๐–๐ข๐ง๐ž๐ฆ๐š๐  ๐๐ซ๐ž๐ฌ๐œ๐ข๐ž๐ง๐ญ ๐…๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐’๐ž๐ซ๐ฏ๐ข๐œ๐ž๐ฌ ๐‚๐ก๐š๐ซ๐๐จ๐ง๐ง๐š๐ฒ ๐‘๐ž๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ”

The 2026 Chardonnay Report, convened by W**emag.co.za and sponsored by Prescient_SA, has revealed its Top 10 w**es.

This year, 54 entries from 41 producers were tasted blind by a judging panel and scored according to the 100-point quality scale.

Taking the top spot is Delaire Graff Banghoek Chardonnay 2025, named Best Overall and awarded R10,000 in shipping from Aspiring Couriers.

The Top 10 w**es:
๐Ÿ…Delaire Graff Estate Banghoek Chardonnay 2025 | Best Overall
โ€ขZevenwacht W**e Estate Estate Chardonnay 2025
โ€ขBenguela Cove Vinography Tr3s Chardonnay Multi Vintage
โ€ขCavalli Estate Chardonnay 2025
โ€ขOak Valley Groenlandberg Chardonnay 2025
โ€ขZevenwacht Z Collection Chardonnay 2025
โ€ขAvontuur Estate Disa Gorge Chardonnay 2025
โ€ขKleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Chardonnay 2025
โ€ขVergelegen W**es Reserve Chardonnay 2025
โ€ขMcGregor W**ery Calcrete Chardonnay 2025

**emag **ereport **elands **e GETWINE

Dining different with a view aboard Culinary CruiserLooking for a different way to experience Cape Town? The Culinary Cr...
06/10/2026

Dining different with a view aboard Culinary Cruiser

Looking for a different way to experience Cape Town? The Culinary Cruiser ZA combines a five-course dining experience with The Salt Road, w**e pairings and spectacular Cape scenery aboard a beautifully transformed double-decker bus.

๐–๐ก๐š๐ญ ๐œ๐š๐ง ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ž๐ฑ๐ฉ๐ž๐œ๐ญ?
With just 32 seats per journey, the experience offers an intimate setting, with a five-course menu celebrating South African ingredients and locally sourced produce.

๐‹๐ฎ๐ง๐œ๐ก ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ง๐ž๐ซ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐š ๐œ๐ก๐š๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐ฏ๐ข๐ž๐ฐ
Choose from lunch or dinner journeys along Clarence Drive or Helshoogte Pass, with the route selected according to the weather on the day. Expect mountain landscapes, coastal roads and views across False Bay.

๐–๐ก๐š๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง๐œ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐๐ž๐?
โ€ข Fine dining journey of flavours
โ€ข Five-course tasting menu
โ€ข W**e pairings
โ€ข Scenic journey aboard the Culinary Cruiser
โ€ข Vegan tasting menu option also available
โ€ข Non-alcoholic pairing option also available

For dates, departure times, availability and bookings, visit culinarycruiser.co.zaโ .

Read our full article: https://www.swirlandspice.w**e/2026/10/06/dining-different-with-a-spectacular-views-aboard-culinary-cruiser/

**e **elands

Pandemonium Bringing Personality Back to the TableThere is something wonderfully unexpected about discovering a w**e ran...
24/09/2026

Pandemonium Bringing Personality Back to the Table

There is something wonderfully unexpected about discovering a w**e range with this much personality.

From Bellingham W**es, one of South Africaโ€™s most established w**e estates, comes Pandemonium, a playful new collection inspired by the colourful characters, stories and sense of mischief that have become part of life at The Home of Bellingham.

With roots dating back to 1693, Bellingham has a long history, but Pandemonium takes a decidedly different route. Think colourful characters, curious personalities and a little organised chaos, all finding their way into four distinctive w**es. At the heart of the collection are four w**es, each with its own personality.

Wild Peacock Chardonnay 2024 is the glamorous hostess of the group. Zesty, lively and impossible to ignore, with bright citrus and sunlit stone fruit bringing plenty of energy to the glass.

Flying Dog Grenache Blanc 2024 is delightfully unconventional, with floral and fruity notes of apple and pear. A w**e that seems perfectly happy doing things its own way.

Dandelion Malbec 2024 brings a little more swagger. Vibrant and complex, with plenty of character, this is the one with a twinkle in its eye and absolutely no intention of being ordinary.

And then there is Sleepy Bull 2024, a bold red blend with depth and layers. Sleepy perhaps, but certainly not lacking personality.

What I enjoy about Pandemonium is that the w**es do not take themselves too seriously, while still offering something interesting in the glass. Each one has its own character, making the collection feel more like meeting four very different personalities than simply working your way through a w**e range.

Pandemonium brings a fresh, playful side to Bellingham, proving that a little personality can make its way from the vineyard to the bottle, and from the bottle straight to the table.

๐‘๐ก๐ข๐ง๐จ ๐‘๐ฎ๐ง ๐–๐ข๐ง๐ž๐ฌ | ๐–๐ข๐ง๐ž ๐–๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐€ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฌ๐žThere is something rather special about discovering a w**e with a story that reache...
22/09/2026

๐‘๐ก๐ข๐ง๐จ ๐‘๐ฎ๐ง ๐–๐ข๐ง๐ž๐ฌ | ๐–๐ข๐ง๐ž ๐–๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐€ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฌ๐ž

There is something rather special about discovering a w**e with a story that reaches far beyond what is in the bottle. Rhino Run W**e, from Van Loveren Family Vineyards, brings together w**emaking and conservation in a range creates to support the conservation in a range creates to support the protection of South Africaโ€™s rhino.

Today, 22 September, marks World Rhino Day, an annual reminder of the importance of protecting the worldโ€™s five remaining rhino species. Rhino Run provides a meaningful way to turn that awareness into action, with a portion of every bottle sold supporting rhino conservation efforts, with South African National Parks as its main beneficiary.

๐‘๐ž๐š๐ ๐Ÿ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐š๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐œ๐ฅ๐ž: https://www.swirlandspice.w**e/2026/09/22/rhino-run-w**es-w**e-with-a-purpose/

**ewithapurpose Pippa Pringle

๐•๐จ๐ง๐ค๐ž๐ฅ ๐š๐ญ ๐’๐ข๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐  ๐ฎ๐ง๐œ๐จ๐ซ๐ค๐ฌ ๐š ๐ง๐ž๐ฐ ๐œ๐ก๐š๐ฉ๐ญ๐ž๐ซ ๐š๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐ก๐จ๐ฆ๐ž ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐’๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ก ๐€๐Ÿ๐ซ๐ข๐œ๐š'๐ฌ ๐Ÿ๐ข๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐‚๐š๐ฉ ๐‚๐ฅ๐š๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐ช๐ฎ๐žSimonsig Family Vineyards, the...
21/09/2026

๐•๐จ๐ง๐ค๐ž๐ฅ ๐š๐ญ ๐’๐ข๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐  ๐ฎ๐ง๐œ๐จ๐ซ๐ค๐ฌ ๐š ๐ง๐ž๐ฐ ๐œ๐ก๐š๐ฉ๐ญ๐ž๐ซ ๐š๐ญ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐ก๐จ๐ฆ๐ž ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐’๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ก ๐€๐Ÿ๐ซ๐ข๐œ๐š'๐ฌ ๐Ÿ๐ข๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐‚๐š๐ฉ ๐‚๐ฅ๐š๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐ช๐ฎ๐ž

Simonsig Family Vineyards, the third-generation Malan family estate has introduced Vonkel at Simonsig, a new restaurant alongside its Tasting Room in Stellenbosch.

The restaurant builds on Simonsigโ€™s long history of innovation. In 1971, Frans Malan produced South Africaโ€™s first bottle-fermented sparkling w**e, Kaapse Vonkel.

๐‘๐ž๐š๐ ๐Ÿ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐š๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐œ๐ฅ๐ž: https://www.swirlandspice.w**e/2026/09/17/vonkel-at-simonsig-uncorks-a-new-chapter-at-the-home-of-south-africas-first-cap-classique/

**es ManleySocial

๐๐ฅ๐š๐š๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ค๐ฅ๐ข๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ž๐ง'๐ฌ ๐Ÿ’๐Ÿ‘๐ซ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐ž๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐  ๐‚๐จ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ž๐ญ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ”The 43rd Blaauwklippen Vineyards Blending Competition brought together 79 ...
20/09/2026

๐๐ฅ๐š๐š๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ค๐ฅ๐ข๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ž๐ง'๐ฌ ๐Ÿ’๐Ÿ‘๐ซ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐ž๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐  ๐‚๐จ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ž๐ญ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ”

The 43rd Blaauwklippen Vineyards Blending Competition brought together 79 entries in a celebration of creativity and the art of blending w**e.

Taking top honours was Carignan My Wayward Son from Gauteng, with the winning blend comprising of 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon (Clone 46), 30% Cabernet Sauvignon (Clone 169) and 40% Malbec.

The runners-ups were:
Lyttelton Wyngilde (Gauteng)
OngavaInternational W**e Tasters (Namibia)
DeVine Club (Western Cape)

The afternoon began with Blaauwklippen Brut Cap Classique 2023, accompanied by Spanakopita Ci**rs and Beef Keftedes with Pita and Tzatziki. This was followed by Blaauwklippen Chardonnay 2025, paired with whipped feta topped with olive oil, green olives, chili flakes, crispy onion & pistachio, served with warm traditional Greek village bread. For the main course, Lamb Kleftiko with potatoes and a traditional Greek village salad was served alongside the 43rd Blaauwklippen Blending Competition Winning Blend. The afternoon concluded with Baklava and Vanilla Ice Cream, with layers of golden phyllo, walnuts and almond soaked in honey syrup.

The blend reflects the character of each component and the precision behind their proportions, coming together to create the winning w**e of the 43rd Blaauwklippen Blending Competition.

**elands

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