There’s nothing quite as classic as sipping on an opulent glass of Cabernet Sauvignon while crunching into a cracker topped with a piece of finely-aged cheddar. And yet, there’s also nothing quite as fun as dipping into a world of new flavours.
Peanut butter and jam, strawberries and cream, wine and cheese. There are elements in this world that seem to have been designed solely to create culinary pairings so satisfying, they’ve even become classic clichés. Then there are those that come together in such unexpected harmony that even your taste buds need some extra time to process.
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If you’re looking for unassumingly lip-smacking pairings, here are five options to try in and around Cape Town:
Wine and cheese…cake
Sauvignon Blanc paired with a creamy lemon tart. Chardonnay with berry cheesecake. These are the heavenly matches made in the Cape Winelands.
Their motto isn’t “excellent wine, excellent setting” without good reason. Home to the distinctive barrel-vaulted cellar and towering fountain – a landmark on the R44 road.
For just R150 per person, you can soak in the views of Eikendal while satisfying your sweet tooth. What more could one ask for?
- Location: Eikendal Vineyards, R44, Raithby, Stellenbosch
- Contact: 021 855 1422
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Wine and sushi
Sushi is one of those things that you either can’t quite stomach at first but you grow to love after your second attempt. Or, you fall in love from the very first taste and a perpetual sushi craving establishes itself within. There’s simply no in-between.
For just R195 per person, Kanu Wines will treat you to six pieces of sushi with six of its perfect wine pairings. We guarantee you’ll always find yourself coming back for more.
- Location: Kanu wines, R304, Stellenbosch
- Contact: 021 865 2488
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Wine and samosas
Nestled in the luscious Durbanville Wine Valley, D’Aria Winery is literally turning up the heat and adding some spice to its award-winning wines.
“A spicy and hot twist” offering of the beloved classic Capetonian samosa served with flavourful dipping sauces and its perfect wine pairing for R100 per pairing.
- Location: D’Aria Wine Estate, M13 Tygerberg Valley Road, Durbanville
- Contact: 021 801 6772
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Chocolate and wine, coffee, or tea
There’s no denying that a good chocolate and wine pairing is a firm favourite in Cape Town. But it’s always refreshing for non-alcoholic drinkers to discover there are options out there for them too.
At Artichoc, chocolate, magic, and loved ones – wine lovers, coffee aficionados, and tea connoisseurs alike – meet. Among the many creative activities on offer, a decadent chocolate-pairing experience awaits. R60 will treat you to tea with chocolate tumbles or coffee with chocolate blocks.
R120 will offer you wine straight from Stellenbosch Vineyards with Winston & Julia’s creamy artisanal truffles.
- Location: ArtiChoc Creative café at Stellenbosch Vineyards, R310 Baden Powell Drive, Lynedoch, Stellenbosch
- Contact: 021 881 8054
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Tea and vegetarian/vegan dishes
Another non-alcoholic pairing everyone should know about can be found in the heart of Cape Town’s Southern suburbs. Tea is usually what follows after a dish, accompanied by that ‘something sweet’ we can’t quite figure out but know we need.
But who would have thought that with just the right infusion, tea can be enjoyed with the meal, instead of after? Nigiro, tea café, of course. Each vegetarian or vegan dish on their tea-inspired food menu has a thoughtfully selected tea pairing recommendation.
- Location: Nigiro tea cafe, 71 Gabriel Road, Plumstead
- Contact: 021 671 2850
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