We enjoyed an autumnal Thursday evening with a wine tasting tour of South Africa with Ian Haggie. Ian is from DGB, one of South Africa’s largest independent distributors and winemakers. They have relationships with some of the oldest wineries in South Africa, including the historic Boschendal and Bellingham, whose heritage dates back to the first vine plantings in 1655. 

Together, we tasted seven different wines with Ian, exploring South Africa’s flagship varietals plus some hidden gems. Ian guided us through the fascinating history of South African winemaking and how it has shaped the styles we enjoyed. The diversity of wines, paired with Ian’s knowledge and enthusiasm, made for an unforgettable evening! 

The wines we tasted were:

• Boschendal Brut Méthode Cap Classique
• Boschendal Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch
• Bellingham Founders Series Pod, Paarl
• Brampton Roxton Black, Stellenbosch
• Brampton Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch
• Boschendal Nicolas, Stellenbosch
• Boschendal Vin d’Or Noble late harvest 37.5cl