Inspired Living Wine Blog

Welcome to Inspired Living SA, a top Wine Blog, based in Cape Town, South Africa. The Inspired Living South African Wine Blog brings you wine reviews, news on top wine tasting experiences, as well as tips for delicious Food and Wine Pairings.

Out & About, Wine, Wine Farms

Season of Sauvignon Durbanville Wine Valley

Season of Sauvignon

This weekend Durbanville Wine Valley is hosting a Season of Sauvignon. The festival takes place on the 24th and 25th October. Season of Sauvignon celebrates spring, as well as a selection of amazing Sauvignon Blanc’s from the area.

Nestled in the Tygerberg Hills, a mere 20 minutes drive from Cape Town, lies the Durbanville Wine Valley. Perhaps not one of the most well known wine routes, the Durbanville Wine Valley, has become a force to be reckoned with in the wine industry! With hectares of flourishing vineyards, award winning wines and hospitable atmosphere, this wine route is fast becoming the Cape’s destination of choice.

The Durbanville Wine Valley consists of twelve wineries, each offering the finest in wines. Durbanville wine farms, also offer some of the best fine dining restaurants and intimate country kitchens in the region. Having only visited a handful of the participating farms, myself, I am really looking forward to exploring more of the valley!

Below you will find a list of the farms participating in the Season of Sauvignon, as well as more details on the their offering. Along with wine tasting, the farms will offer delicious food, ranging from spit braai to sushi, so there will be something to please every palate.

As well as delicious food and wine, you can enjoy a festive atmosphere, with live music and plenty of supervised entertainment for the kids! If you are keen on a bit of adventure, you can indulge in a Heli-hop between De Grendel, Durbanville Hills and Meerendal, with Base4 Aviation. {see contact details below to book}

The map below will help you plan your route and decide which farms you would like to visit first.

I hope to see you there! Please remember drink responsibly and DO NOT Drink & Drive!

Contact details: For a details and information on the Season of Sauvignon, as well as ticket sales visit www.durbanvillewine.co.za. Heli-hop between De Grendel, Durbanville Hills and Meerendal with Base4 Aviation contact tel 021 934-4405 or [email protected]

Lifestyle, Taste, Wine, Wine Farms

Babylonstoren Wine Tasting & Cellar Tour

I recently visited Babylonstoren; it was my first time! No judgement, please! When I mentioned to most people that I had never been before, they were completely dumbfounded. I knew I had to get there! [Read more…]

Entertaining, Featured Posts, Food, Wine

My Favourite Festive Tipple

I love pink bubbly and during the festive season my favourite festive tipple makes its appearance with regular frequency! You certainly will not hear me complaining about a glass of ice cold bubbly served with a delicious meal or just sipped while enjoying good company – who needs an excuse!

My Favourite Festive Tipple

I thought I would share my four favourite, South African, “pink” sparkling wines with you.

Methode Cap Classique denotes a South African sparkling wine made by the traditional Champagne method.

My all-time favourite is Graham Beck Brut Rose, which we always buy when visiting the Graham Beck Estate in Franschhoek. This fine silver pink blush is expertly crafted in the traditional Methode Cap Classique, combining Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, to create a bubbly that bursts with flavour on your tongue.

Second on my list is Villiera Tradition Brut Rose. Whilst being exceptionally easy drinking it combines the full flavour of Pinot Noir, with the elegance of Chardonnay and the uniqueness of Pinotage, which provides the colour.

This is closely followed by Le Grande Pavillon Brut Rosé. A variety of red cultivars and a small amount of Chardonnay grape are selected from Boschendal’s finest vineyards and combined in classical Methode Cap Classique, to create a wine with a pronounced fruit structure complemented by a seductive sparkle.

Last but certainly not least is the Simonsig Pinot Noir Brut Rosé Vintage. The iconic, Kaapse Vonkel, which turns 40 this year, has released the second vintage of the popular no-added-sulphur Limited Release Pinot Noir Brut Rosé 2010 – made exclusively for Woolworths. It is made with 100% Pinot Noir grape, and has the palest salmon tinge with an enticingly fruity nose. In my personal opinion it also has a faint flavour of whiskey on the palate – leading to a crisp, dry finish.

To quote a rather famous lady on the occasion of drinking champagne…

I drink it when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise, I never touch it—unless I’m thirsty. – Lilly Bollinger

Images: Top – Pinterest, Graham Beck Brut Rose Pinterest via House and Leisure