Events

Wine Cellar offers two types of tastings

Introductory tastings: This series of tastings is for those who are new to the world of fine wine, or who wish to touch up on their international wine knowledge. The introductory tastings are somewhat different from our regular tastings: wines are not tasted blind; the atmosphere is slightly more relaxed and we try to have fun and learn something at the same time. We still, however, offer these tastings at cost, so there will be no shortage of fine wine to taste, and there will be benchmark SA wines to compare with the imports. R200 per tasting or book for 5 tastings and get the 6th free!

Other tastings and luxury wine dinners: Experience wines from the world’s top producers at our premium tastings and exclusive wine dinners. This year’s line-up includes a Gaja dinner, a Mouton Rothschild tasting and a Bordeaux 1982 dinner.

Tastings start at 18:30 and end at 20:15; dinners finish at around 21:30. We generally taste between 12 and 16 wines.

For Joburg bookings, email Debi@winecellar.co.za. Contact Lisa@winecellar.co.za for Cape Town bookings.

Introduction to Burgundy – R200 CT: 13 Feb, Wine Cellar; JHB: 11 Feb, Cape Wine Academy Burgundy is the holy grail of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay; this patch of earth in France produces the world’s most expensive and sought-after wines. Get wooed by Chambolle Musigny and bowled over by Puligny Montrachet.
Introduction to Spain – R200 CT: 27 Feb, Wine Cellar Spain produces a quarter of the world’s wines. From great value Tempranillo to fine Rioja, rich Priorat and refreshing Cava, we taste an incredible line-up of modern and traditional wines.
Introduction to Spain and Italy – R200 JHB: 27 Feb, Cape Wine Academy Join us as we journey through the key wine-producing regions of Spain and Italy, comparing and contrasting their unique varieties, styles and terroirs.
Introduction to the Rhone Valley – R200 CT: 13 March, Wine Cellar; JHB: 27 March, Cape Wine Academy We guide you through the fine Syrahs of the north and the Grenache-based wines of the south, along with their textured whites and decadent rosés. With a climate that is not too dissimilar to our own, the wines represent excellent value and are quite familiar in style.
Introduction to Italy – R200 CT: 27 March, Wine Cellar Italian wines are regarded as the best food wines on the planet. We show how the wines from Tuscany differ from those in Piedmont, middle Italy and down south. Antipasti ‘snacks’ will be served to complement the wines.
Introduction to Champagne – R200 CT: 3 April, Wine Cellar; JHB: 3 April, Cape Wine Academy We guide you through Champagne, its varieties and different styles, from the more commercial brands to more sophisticated, long-ageing wines. We will taste Drappier, Jacquesson, Moët, Le Mesnil and many more.
Introduction to the New World – R200 CT; 10 April, Wine Cellar; JHB: 10 April, Cape Wine Academy We taste through wines of New Zealand, Australia, the US, Argentina and Chile, showing off the different styles, varieties and terroirs. Do they stack up against our top wines?
Introduction to Bordeaux – R200 CT: 17 April, Wine Cellar; JHB: 17 April, Cape Wine Academy Do you know your left-bank from your right? We explain the world’s most important wine region, which is at the forefront of winemaking and is the benchmark for Merlot, Cabernet and even sweet wines…

Vilafonté 2010 Pre-Launch Tastings (AM and PM) – R450 CT: 19 Feb, Wine Cellar JHB: 13 Feb, La Campagnola (AM) and Kream (PM) JHB: 14 Feb, Alpine (AM) and DW11-13 (PM) Vilafonté’s eagerly awaited Series C 2010 will be released on the 1st of March, 2013. To celebrate its release, Wine Cellar and Vilafonté will be co-hosting a series of exclusive pre-launch tastings. All of the events will include a technical, tutored tasting by Mike Ratcliffe, managing partner of Vilafonté.
Gaja Dinner – R1,500 CT: 22 Feb, Aubergine; JHB: 23 Feb, Ten Bompas Italy’s First Growth needs little introduction. We run through a series of their Barbarescos and then follow with their ‘declassified’ Barolo Sperss. A three-course paired menu will follow with wines from each of the Gaja properties: Pieve Santa Restituta, Ca’Marcanda and of course Gaja itself.
Willi Schaefer 2011s – R150 CT: 6 March, Wine Cellar; JHB: 6 March, Cape Wine Academy Regarded as one of the finest producers in the Mosel, Schaefer now attracts a religious following. Each Riesling offers sublime purity, poise and ageability. We taste from the Trocken (dry) through Kabinett, Spatlese, the new ‘Großes Gewachs’ and end up with a 2007 Auslese. A must for Riesling lovers.
Six Decades of Mouton Rothschild – R9,950 JHB: 6 April, Restaurant Mosaic (Orient Hotel near Pretoria) This will be a once in a lifetime experience in tasting some of the greatest Bordeaux made in the last 60 years. We have unearthed a private cellar of 35 vintages of Mouton Rothschild, giving us the opportunity to share a part of this Bordeaux First Growth’s history. With the pre-1973 vintages, we will also taste the wines that allowed for the only change to the original 1855 Classification. The pre-dinner tasting of 15 vintages will include the ‘perfect’ 1959, 1982 and 1986, as well as a selection of great vintages from the ’50s through to the ’00s. A five-course dinner will follow, along with vintage Moutons from the same collection. A stay over at the luxurious Orient Hotel is included (with breakfast). Only 12 seats available.
Moulin Touchais Vertical – R250 CT: 24 April, Wine Cellar; JHB: 24 April, Cape Wine Academy Renowned for being one of the world’s longest-lived and best-priced wines, Moulin Touchais (of the Loire Valley) produces majestic, sweet Chenin Blancs. We will taste 14 vintages, including the benchmark 2002, 1997, 1975 and 1971.
Top Tuscany – R450 CT: 15 May, Wine Cellar; JHB: 8 May, Cape Wine Academy Is Tuscany more suited to Sangiovese rather than international varieties? We line up a massive taste-off between THE Super Tuscans and some of the finest wines from Montalcino: Sassicaia, Tignanello, Ornellaia, and Ca’Marcanda up against Soldera, Pieve Santa Restituta and Silvio Nardi.
Top Piedmont – R450 CT: 22 May, Wine Cellar; JHB: 22 May, Cape Wine Academy Piedmontese wines are celebrated for their fine delicacy, power and elegance. We introduce a top new producer in Robert Voerzio. Along with our other leading producers, Angelo Gaja, Giovanni Corino and Marco Marengo, this will be one of the finest Italian line-ups ever at Wine Cellar!
1982 Bordeaux Tasting and Dinner – R3,300 CT: 8 June, Aubergine; JHB: 8 June, La Campagnola This magical vintage has blossomed into one of the finest ever in Bordeaux. It is also the vintage that turned Parker into the world’s most powerful critic. These rare beauties are at the peak of their maturity and will offer a thrilling experience. The highlights will include Branaire Ducru, Lagrange as well as Pichon Lalande (Parker 100/100) and Chateau Margaux. With magnums of Malescot St Exupery 1982 for the three-course dinner, as well as d’Yquem 1982 for the dessert course, this should be a once in a lifetime tasting.
Young Guns III CT: 12 June, Venue TBC; JHB: 4 July, Venue TBC This is the third year of this exciting concept, which introduces ‘Young Gun’ winemakers who are really pushing the boundaries. In 2013, we hope to have a few new faces in an evening that will be filled with music, fun and cutting-edge wines. Price to be advised closer to the date. See last year’s video here.