If you are a total beginner to wine tasting, here are some tips:
- Swirl the wine that is in your glass with your wrist, not your arm.
- When swirling your wine it creates a film on the inside of the glass this is called “legs”. Thin "legs"/film means it is a light body and thicker "legs" appear when it is a fuller bodied wine.
- Keep your mouth slightly open when sniffing the aroma of the wine.
- You should take in some air with your first sip of wine to aerate the wine and release more of its aromas.
- Swish the wine around in your mouth before either spitting it out or swallowing.
- If sweetness, alcohol, acidity, and Tannin are all well balanced then it is a good quality wine.
- The longer you can taste the aromas after the wine has been swallowed or spat out the better the quality of the wine.
Here are some of the best wine tasting farms in and around Cape Town:
LA MOTTE WINE ESTATE
"Situated in the beautiful Franschhoek Valley in South Africa’s Cape winelands, La Motte is home to the finest wines, recognised internationally for exceptional quality. With its picturesque setting, traditional cuisine and historic charm, La Motte is an enchanting choice for those who appreciate the finer things in life."https://www.instagram.com/p/BctcPZhneH2/?taken-by=lamottewine La Motte Wine Estate offers you the opportunity to taste and experience their award-winning fine wines in their cosy and inviting tasting facility. They have three different tastings to choose from: Vintage tasting: Starting at R50 pp you get a tutored tasting of the current vintages they have on offer Vineotique tasting: R200pp Learn more about the history and evolution of La Motte wines with this private and personalised tasting. Food and wine tasting: R200pp This informative tasting includes a pairing of five La Motte wines with five tastings dishes created by Chef Michelle Theron. website: www.la-motte.com where: R45 Main Road, Franschhoek Valley t: +27 (0)21 876 8000 | e: tasting@la-motte.co.za
WELTEVREDE ESTATE
https://www.instagram.com/p/BchJ05ensq2/?taken-at=394542523"When you walk through the tunnels, you experience the feeling of generations ago: candlelight, silence, spider webs, the dampness and smell of wine aging, oak barrels and burning wicks."At Weltevrede you can experience a unique underground wine cellar tour and tasting by candlelight.
Mondays-Fridays 08:00 – 17:00 & Saturdays 09:00 – 15:30
t: +27 23 616 2141 | e: info@weltevrede.comZANDVLIET WINE ESTATE
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcWJuQlg0zA/?taken-at=835132249 A luxurious wine tasting experience awaits you at this award-winning winery that is on the outskirts of the Robertson Valley Wine Route. They are one of the first in the country to bottle Shiraz.https://www.instagram.com/p/BcXjwI1nTwk/?taken-by=zandvlietwine website: www.zandvliet.co.za where: Zandvliet Wine Estate, Robertson Valley, R60, Ashton, Western Cape Monday – Friday: 09h00 – 17h00 | Saturday & Public Holidays: 10h00 – 17h00 t: +27 23 615 1146 | e: info@zandvliet.co.za"Some of the magic is found in the soil, some in the cellar and much of it in the hands of a passionate team"
MARIANNE WINES
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdDzim6l1py/?taken-at=239017209Enjoy a wine tasting in Marianne Wines' large tasting room with stunning views of the Cape Winelands and Table Mountain in the distance. They also offer a biltong and wine pairing where they pair three estate wines with locally cured meat. https://www.instagram.com/p/BL6WzPqFwTF/?taken-by=mariannewines website: www.mariannewines.com where: Valley Road - Off R44, Stellenbosch Open daily from 11 am to 6 pm e: info@mariannewinefarm.co.za | t: +27 (0) 21 8755040"Multi-award winning wines, spectacular views... the full winelands experience."
VERGELEGEN ESTATE
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdP_CAigtxf/?taken-at=231468516878276Wine tasting at the welcoming and award-winning Vergerlegen Estate starts at only R30pp. You will be guided and advised by knowledgeable staff as you taste your wine either indoors or outside overlooking the stunning herb garden. https://www.instagram.com/p/BdSs3kNhR2u/?taken-at=231468516878276 website: www.vergelegen.co.za where: Cnr of Lourensford & Vergelegen Avenue, Somerset West, Western Cape Daily from 09h00 to 16h30 e: info@vergelegen.co.za | t: 021 847 2122 Like our Facebook Page for more Awesome Cape Town News, views, pics and Videos:"Vergelegen to what it is today: a world-class Estate. With its world renowned handcrafted wines, a history spanning over 300 years, heritage, exquisite gardens and refined cuisine."
