International Sauvignon Day is celebrated on 7 May – time to crack open those bottles and taste the fresh and crisp notes of white peach, green apple, lime and pear.
Other notes to look out for are herbaceous overtones of cut grass.
Or you can just sit back and enjoy. Plenty of Cape farms and estates have something special lined up for International Sauvignon Day.
Durbanville Wine Route
The 13 wineries of the Durbanville Wine Valley all supplied the wine used to make the inaugural vintage of a milestone Sauvignon Blanc, released on 4 May.
Wine grapes – particularly Sauvignon Blanc – benefit from the cool climate of the valley, which is influenced by two oceans. The final production of the 2022 Durbanville Sauvignon Blanc was by De Grendal’s Charles Hopkins and Morgan Steyn.
Unwooded, it is full on the palate and has flavours of apple and pear, tropical citrus and blackcurrant, among others.
For International Sauvignon Blanc Day, it will be among regional wines showcased. On 5 May, a Sauvignon Soiree at Groot Phesantekraal features winemaker-hosted tastings of wines from the valley. Tickets are R400pp and include tasting and canapes. Tastings are also part of a two-course dinner on 6 May at Durbanville Hills. Tickets are R450pp.
Tickets for the events are available from the host wineries.
Constantia Wine Route
The Constantia Valley has everything that Sauvignon Blanc grapes want: an optimal combination of soil, wine and sun.
The soils are granite-based, Table Mountain sandstone at higher altitudes. The ocean breeze off False Bay cools the air, and the slopes of the vineyards are mostly east-facing, which means they get warm morning sun.
And the nine estates on the Constantia Wine Route are Serious about Sauvignon: in celebration of International Sauvignon Blanc Day, the nine will be offering a tasting of their vintage wines. From 6-8 May visitors will have the opportunity taste a current and older Sauvignon Blanc vintage at each estate.
They are Beau Constantia, Buitenverwachting, Constantia Glen, Constantia Royale, Eagles Nest, Groot Constantia, Klein Constantia, Silvermist and Steenberg.
More happenings and specials
Steenberg is offering a curated Secret Sauvignon Blanc Tasting throughout the month. It is a mystery journey of five different expressions of Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc, all tasted blind. It includes an unexpected older vintage. The Secret Tasting is available at the Steenberg Tasting Room for R150 per person.
There is a host of activities and tasting planned for the weekend with some of the most innovative producers in the country, from a masterclass by winemaker Dr Marinda Kruger at Elgin Vinters on 7 May (book on Quicket), to the Groote Post Seasalter with winemaker Lukas Wentzel and a tapas-style lunch, also on 7 May.
Other farms with International Sauvignon Blanc Day happenings and special offers are:
- Diemersdal in Durbanville
- Strandveld Vineyards in Bredasdorp
- Groot Phesantekraal in Durbanville
- Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West
- Tokara in Stellenbosch
- Zevenwacht in Kuils River
- Groenland Wines in Stellenbosch
- Kleine Zalze in Stellenbosch
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Picture: Lorraine Kearney