Sipping South Africa at Stem Wine Bar

🇿🇦 A Quick Sip of South Africa

South Africa’s wine regions, from Stellenbosch to Swartland and Paarl, are defined by dramatic landscapes, old vines, and a growing commitment to organic and sustainable farming. With a winemaking style that blends Old World structure and New World energy, it’s a region full of discovery for adventurous palates.

🍷 Tasting Recap: Wine & Food Pairings

Round 1: Bright & Bold Beginnings

Kumusha, Western Cape 2024, Sauvignon Blanc
Food: Peri peri chicken skewer with herb yogurt dip

• Sight: Pale straw
• Smell: Gooseberry, green apple, guava, pineapple, citrus blossom, lemon, flint
• Taste: Crisp and energetic with tropical citrus, green herbs, and mouthwatering acidity
• Winery Note: Founded by sommelier-turned-winemaker Tinashe Nyamudoka, Kumusha crafts wines that celebrate South African terroir and culture.
• Food Pairing Highlight: The fire from the chicken was perfectly cooled by the herb yogurt and the Sauvignon’s zippy finish.

Olifantsberg, Breedekloof 2022, Chenin Blanc
Food: Cape Malay shrimp with crusty bread

• Sight: Deep straw
• Smell: Lemon, yellow apple, white peach, honeysuckle, pear, beeswax, hints of vanilla, and nutmeg
• Taste: Lush and textured, with notes of stone fruit, honey, and a mineral edge
• Winery Note: Located in the Breedekloof Valley, Olifantsberg is committed to sustainable farming and focuses on cool-climate expression.
• Food Pairing Highlight: The warmth of Cape Malay spices met its match in the Chenin’s round texture and fruit—this was a comforting, flavor-packed combo.

Round 2: Elegant Reds & Flavorful Pairings

Opstal Estate, Western Cape 2023, Cinsault
Food: Young Gouda with fig jam

• Sight: Bright red
• Smell: Raspberry, strawberry, sour cherry, violets, black tea, roses
• Taste: Light-bodied and juicy with bright red fruit and soft tannins
• Winery Note: Opstal Estate, a seventh-generation family farm in the Slanghoek Valley, focuses on crafting wines that reflect their unique terroir, with a particular emphasis on heritage varietals like Cinsault.
• Food Pairing Highlight: The creamy gouda and sweet fig jam complemented the wine’s red fruit profile, creating a harmonious and delightful pairing.​

Kumusha, Swartland 2024, Pinotage
Food: Grilled hanger steak with chakalaka

• Sight: Dark ruby
• Smell: Dark cherry, plum, mulberry, coffee, baking spices, chocolate, fig, smoke, and mint
• Taste: Bold and structured, with earthy spice and dark fruit
• Winery Note: Kumusha, founded by sommelier-turned-winemaker Tinashe Nyamudoka, aims to produce wines that are a true expression of South African terroir, with Pinotage being a standout for its depth and character.
• Food Pairing Highlight: The spiced chakalaka and tender hanger steak elevated the wine’s robust flavors, resulting in a pairing that was both hearty and nuanced.

Round 3: Big Blends, Bold Finishes

Avondale ‘Jonty’s Ducks’, Paarl 2018
(Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot)
Food: Lamb bobotie

• Sight: Dark purple
• Smell: Blackcurrant, licorice, dark chocolate, coffee, tobacco, bell pepper
• Taste: Rich and balanced with deep fruit, subtle smoke, and firm structure
• Winery Note: At Avondale, vineyard pests are handled the natural way—with a team of ducks who eat snails! Their biodynamic wines are as thoughtful as they are delicious.
• Food Pairing Highlight: This full-bodied blend was the perfect match for the savory-sweet spiced lamb dish—comforting and layered.

Riebeek Cellars ‘Never Look Back,’ Swartland 2022, Cabernet Sauvignon
Food: Dark chocolate Amarula tart with hazelnut

• Sight: Dark ruby with hints of purple
• Smell: Black plum, allspice, blackcurrant, dark chocolate, bell pepper, olive, cigar box, black cherry
• Taste: Smooth, rich, and structured with black fruit and bittersweet chocolate on the finish
• Winery Note: Riebeek Cellars, based in Swartland, is known for approachable wines that overdeliver—especially their bold reds.
• Food Pairing Highlight: Dessert and wine in harmony—this pairing was indulgent and silky, with the Amarula cream playing off the wine’s richness.

✨ April Featured Flight ($20 Add-On)

1. Avondale ‘Qvevri,’ Paarl 2022
   • Sight: Dark ruby
   • Smell: Raspberry, mulberry, strawberry, violets, peppercorn, smoke, and freshly tiled soil
   • Taste: Bright natural acidity with an abundance of fruit and earthiness, offering a harmonious balance and a long-lasting finish
   • Winery Note: Avondale is the first South African winery to utilize Qvevri—ancient Georgian clay vessels—in their winemaking. This method imparts a distinctive structure and aroma, reflecting the essence of the region.
2. Kumusha ‘Hurudza,’ Stellenbosch 2021 – Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot blend
   • Sight: Deep ruby with purple highlights
   • Smell: Blackcurrant, plum, bell pepper, blackberry, tomato leaf, and vanilla baking spices
   • Taste: Rich palate with fine-grained tannins, underpinned by a mouthwatering core, showcasing the complexity and balance characteristic of Stellenbosch terroir.
   • Winery Note: Founded by sommelier-turned-winemaker Tinashe Nyamudoka, Kumusha crafts wines that celebrate South African terroir and culture, aiming to let the wine express its origin freely.

🔜 Coming Up Next: Chile & Argentina in May!

Stem Wine Bar continues its global tour next month with wines from Chile and Argentina—expect vibrant Malbecs, coastal whites, and more chef-curated pairings. You don’t want to miss it. Grab your ticket here!

🥂 Final Thoughts

Stem Wine Bar’s South African tasting was a flavor-filled journey across one of the world’s most exciting wine regions. From the fire of peri peri to the bold comfort of lamb bobotie, this tasting reminded me just how much wine—and food—can tell a story.

Already booked for next month’s South American lineup. Until then—cheers to the ducks, the chakalaka, and every delicious sip in between.