/ Themed Tasting Zone /
This popular free-pour area allows guests to taste in their own time throughout the three days of the show. Expect 120 wines covering 10 different themes which can be tasted without interference.
The theme tasting zone will take the form of an 80 sqm area, situated just off the main exhibition hall, in Hall 4B.
Theme Tasting Area - Themes
1. Chenin Blanc – Telling a story of place, climate and craft
Explore the stylistic spectrum of South Africa’s most iconic white variety across its diverse wine regions. From the crisp, saline elegance of coastal sites to the rich, layered expressions of inland old vines, this journey through Chenin Blanc showcases the variety’s unmatched versatility and terroir-transparency. With each bottle telling a different story of place, climate, and craft, the pod will celebrate Chenin as a dynamic canvas for regional identity - bold, nuanced, and unmistakably South African.
2. Shiraz – Diversity of flavour
Gone are the days when one style characterized all South African Shiraz. Our diverse terroir and soils, in conjunction with factors such as picking time, different viticultural and winemaking practises, enable our winemakers to manage all these variables and capture the best for their particular region, resulting in many styles; from cooler climate elegance and spice to warmer climate bold and concentrated with fruit expression.
3. Chardonnay – Elegance, precision and diversity
South African Chardonnay stands shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best and we’re broadcasting the message: South Africa produces World Class Chardonnay. This selection celebrates the elegance, precision, and diversity across Chardonnay grown in Cape’s unique and ancient terroirs. We invite you to experience the diversity of South African Chardonnay. From cool-climate purity to textured, age-worthy expressions. Join us as we spotlight this noble variety and the world-class winemakers redefining the idea that South African Chardonnay is a benchmark in its own right.
4. Stellenbosch Cabernet 2021 – One variety, one region, one vintage
Explore Stellenbosch Cabernet through the lens of the 2021 vintage. Stellenbosch is the true home of South African Cabernet, and has the ideal soil types and climatic conditions ensuring that this noble variety thrives in the region. 2021 was an exceptional vintage, producing wines with outstanding elegance, concentration and longevity. The wines on this pod are a celebration of this excellent vintage, showcasing the finest that Stellenbosch Cabernet has to offer.
5. No/Low Alcohol Wines – Flavour without the buzz
The world of wine is embracing a vibrant new chapter with the rise of low and no-alcohol wines, a category that’s gaining momentum among discerning drinkers. Once a niche novelty, these innovative wines are now captivating a global audience seeking flavour without the buzz. Crafted with cutting-edge techniques, they deliver the complexity and elegance of traditional wines while catering to health-conscious and sober-curious lifestyles. This tasting table showcases the best of this emerging category, inviting you to explore a fresh, flavourful frontier in wine that’s redefining enjoyment for all.
6. Rosé – A story of local nuance
South African Rosé wines are basking in a global spotlight, their popularity soaring as wine lovers embrace their vibrant, versatile charm. Hailing from the sun-drenched vineyards of the Cape, these Rosés reflect the region’s unique terroir, blending crisp minerality with lush fruit notes. From the coastal cool of Stellenbosch to the rugged warmth of Swartland, each bottle tells a story of local nuance, crafted with passion and precision. Celebrate South Africa’s Rosé revolution and savour the fresh, expressive flavours that are captivating palates worldwide.
7. Cap Classique – Perfected by time
Blanc de Blancs Cap Classique represents a precise and graceful interpretation of Chardonnay, crafted in the bottle fermented traditional method. In accordance with Cap Classique regulations, these wines spend a minimum of 12 months maturing on the lees; however, many producers here have opted for extended lees aging to enhance textural finesse, develop a persistent, creamy mousse, and express the subtle complexity that defines this style.
8. Parents of Pinotage – Echoing an historic union
Pinotage, South Africa’s iconic grape, born from a 1925 cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsault, holds a pivotal place in the country’s wine heritage, symbolizing innovation and identity. This theme tasting celebrates the 'Parents of Pinotage,' showcasing Pinot Noir’s elegant finesse and Cinsault’s vibrant, juicy charm, alongside blends that echo their historic union. These varieties, thriving in the Cape’s diverse terroirs, reveal the roots of Pinotage’s distinctive character. Exploring these foundational grapes, whose legacy continues to shape South Africa’s dynamic wine industry with depth and diversity.
9. Sauvignon Blanc – Move Beyond Assumptions
A compelling showcase of South African Sauvignon Blanc’s depth, diversity, and evolving identity. Far from a one-style-fits-all cultivar, Sauvignon Blanc thrives in a spectrum of expressions, from vibrant tropical and citrus notes to herbaceous, mineral, and more textured, alternative styles. Eight core style categories often intersect, creating layered, site-specific wines that reflect both regional character and winemaking intent. Featuring standout entries from the 2024 FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10, including age-worthy vintages, wooded and innovative expressions, this line-up invites you to move beyond assumptions – and to explore the cultivar with styles.
10. Sweet/Fortified Wines – Timeless allure and distinctive character
South Africa’s sweet and fortified wines are a testament to centuries-old winemaking traditions, blending quality with rich heritage. From the iconic Constantia dessert wines, savoured by European royalty, to robust Cape ports, these wines captivate with intense flavours, balanced sweetness, and vibrant acidity. Crafted in the unique terroir of the Cape, they reflect innovation and resilience, standing out as world-class treasures in South Africa’s vibrant wine culture. Take your time to explore their timeless allure and distinctive character.