Wine should be celebrated every day, but every once in a while a date rolls around that calls for a special celebration.
Known as “wine days” these happy occasions are a time for pause and quiet reflection on your favourite varietal – for a day, although that title is used loosely as the “days” often stretch into weeks and months.
To make sure you don’t miss a day (or a week or a month) we compiled the list below. Keep it on file as a handy reference for the 2015/16 quaffing calendar.
Every Wednesday – International #WineWednesday
We didn’t invent #WineWednesday, but we’re well on our way perfecting it. #WineWednesday at Groot Constantia features award-winning wine enjoyed by those who know how to make the most of the year’s best season.
No better way to celebrate #WineWednesday than with our Blanc de Noir – a strawberry pink blend made from 60% Merlot and 40%. The quintessential summer wine, Groot Constantia Blanc de Noir is best enjoyed with a #Bestie on rolling lawns under ancient oak trees. It’s also #Summerluvin in a bottle and reason number 2 to join us.
November 7 – International Merlot Day #MerlotMe
International Merlot Day is the perfect time to pop one of those special bottles to celebrate the occasion. More good news for 2016: October is the official International Merlot Month!
Groot Constantia’s 2013 Merlot shows flavours of mulberry, raspberry, plums and hints of spices on the nose. Berry fruit like black currant and mulberries follow on the palate. Fine tannins give structure and length to the wine that finishes with great concentration and weight.
November 8 – International Wine Tourism Day #WineTourism
The idea for a Wine Tourism Day originated in Europe, where the European Network of Wine Cities has organised the European Day of Wine Tourism since 2009. Wine Tourism Day is designed to promote the concept of traveling to wine regions on vacation, and highlight the economic impact of wine tourism around the world. This day is very important for South Africa and a matter close to the heart of Groot Constantia!
May 6 – International Sauvignon Blanc Day #SauvBlanc #SouthAfrica
The general pronunciation is so-vin-YAWN-blahnk – however there is nothing to yawn about. The name, translated, means: Wild White. This year #SauvBlanc trended around the world in May. The day is an online initiative that started in California as a global social media wine tasting celebration. It may be the start of winter in South Africa, but a glass of Sauvignon Blanc is always a ‘glass of summer’.
Groot Constantia’s 2014 Sauvignon Blanc has a pale straw colour with a lime green rim. On the nose it shows an abundance of ripe summer fruit like passion fruit, sweet melon and white peach mixed with herbaceous and green pepper aromas. The sweet summer fruit gives richness to the palate, beautifully balanced by a crisp, fresh acidity.
May 26 – International Chardonnay Day #ChardDay #SouthAfrica
This internationally noble and popular wine has its day the fourth Thursday of May. To help you remember: every Thursday can be your Chardonnay #throwbackthursday!
Groot Constantia’s 2013 Chardonnay was named the best Chardonnay in the world (Chardonnay du Monde) with our 2014 vintage also showing a lot of promise having already won a Gold Veritas Award. Our 2014 Chardonnay is a full bodied wine with a mineral, chalky character and some mandarin orange and butterscotch on the nose. The rich butterscotch follows on the palate with layers of citrus and toasted almonds, all beautifully held together by a crisp, fresh acidity. Both the 2013 and 2014 are sold out and the next release will only be available in March/April 2016 – just in time for 2016’s #ChardDay!
September 1 – #CabernetDay#SouthAfrica
Cabernet Day is always on the Thursday before the American Labour Day holiday every year. So in 2016 it means that #CabernetDay falls on Thursday 1 September!
Our 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon has a deep ruby red garnet. The nose show great complexity with flavours of ripe black fruit, cassis, tomato leaf and cigar box. On palate the wine shows great concentration and a firm tannin structure, supported by black fruit like black currant and hints of wood spice.
October 8 – International Pinotage Day #PinotageDay#SouthAfrica
Known as South Africa’s signature variety – having originated here – Pinotage is currently planted all over the world and achieved international success. The Pinotage Day date will change every year to coincide with the second Saturday of October, the most beautiful month. This day honours and celebrates South Africa’s wine heritage.
With Groot Constantia’s 2015 Pinotage expect raspberries, strawberries and ripe plums on the nose, framed by sweet toasted oak. The ripe red fruit and toasted oak flavours follow on the palate. The wine has beautiful concentration with soft tannins and a long elegant finish.
October 9 to 15 – International Drink Local Wine Week #LocalWine #SouthAfrica
Drink Local Wine Week is an annual event that recruits and encourages bloggers and wine columnists to write something about their local wines. It is the original activity on which the organisation Drink Local Wine was founded, and continues to this day to increase attention for local wines among both the wine trade and consumers. A worthwhile and fun cause to support!
October 23 – Champagne Day #ChampagneDay #SouthAfrica
A day on which wine lovers of the world are invited to pay homage to the drink of all celebrations, champagne (and any other sparkling drink)! The principle of Champagne Day – under the banner of joy and good humour – is simple: raise a glass filled with bubbly and toast life.
- Dates might change from year to year, please verify. Check back to the page for more updates and news to celebrate and enjoy wine.