Cape Town, 9 October 2025 – Produced only in vintages deemed worthy, Steenberg’s Magna Carta is not just a wine, it is a manifesto of excellence. With the 2023 vintage...
As local and international wine trade gather under the banner of “Our Warmest Welcome” at Cape Wine this week, KWV steps forward as one of South Africa’s most consistent producers, showcasing why its...
Vergelegen wine estate in Somerset West was the beautiful venue for the highly anticipated launch of the 13th annual Tim Atkin MW SA Special Report – a definitive commentary on...
Cap Classique Day, celebrated each year on 1 September, honours South Africa’s sparkling wines made using the traditional French bottle-fermentation method. Renowned for their elegance, complexity, and fine mousse, Cap...
We all have our go-to red wines, the reliable bottles we reach for out of habit. But what if the story behind the label mattered just as much as the...
Somerset West’s historic Vergelegen Estate has received the accolade of Best Wine Farm Experience in the 2025 Best of the Cape Awards, presented by leading Cape radio station Kfm 94.5...
In a country where Chenin Blanc is not only the most planted but also one of the most loved varieties, one wine from Simonsig Family Vineyards has truly distinguished itself....
Global wine consumption has declined by 7.5% over the past two decades, with the European Union itself seeing a 24% drop between 2010 and 2020 according to Wine Intelligence and...
The first-ever Kultura Festival, which takes place from 20 to 27 June this year at Curro Durbanville High School, is a celebration of Afrikaans, culture, camaraderie and of course, the...
‘It’s like watching a foreign film without subtitles,’ quipped a participant at Vinimark’s recent ‘How to Taste and How to Score’ Masterclass, describing the challenge of assigning scores in an...
Steenberg, one of South Africa’s most celebrated wine estates, has revealed a bold new visual identity for its flagship wines, setting a new standard in design and craftsmanship. Hosted at...
A great food and wine pairing is a feast for the senses. With so many possibilities, it’s easy to become overwhelmed, but creating memorable sensations comes down to just two...
Wine tourism in South Africa is undergoing a renaissance as wine estates transition away from traditional cellar-door tastings toward comprehensive lifestyle destinations in a bid to democratise wine culture and...
There is nothing like chic indulgence in summer. Luxury yacht parties, exclusive rooftop gatherings, and sophisticated garden soirees give the season the VIP treatment it deserves. International hot-ticket events like...
In a bold and heartfelt response to the rising cost of dining out, Sec Restaurant has announced a new Bring-Your-Own (BYO) policy for wine, bubbly and MCC, offering foodies and...
Steenberg Vineyards is updating its prestigious Classic range with a new vintage and rebranding its Merlot 2021 to build on the estate’s proud legacy of producing wines bearing the unique...
Inspired by head winemaker Alvi van der Merwe’s winemaking journey, and with the recent launch of their “Taste What’s Possible” campaign, the third-generation winery hopes to encourage others to pursue...
In the exciting first South Africa Selection by CMB (Concours Mondial de Bruxelles), held on 18 and 19 September in Somerset West, a total of 68 medals and trophies have...
Situated on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountains, just outside Stellenbosch, Stellenzicht Wines came under new private ownership in 2017. The farm was rehabilitated and the natural fynbos was restored...
Located in the Stellenbosch winelands, Hazendal Wine Estate is a world class destination offering culture, cuisine, golf, and entertainment for the whole family. As one of the oldest wine estates...
Beyerskloof is truly a sensory experience, nestled just outside Stellenbosch, 40 km from CapeTown, off the beaten track. As I approached Beyerskloof I was greeted by the towering walls ofthe...
Nestled in the foot hills of the majestic Naukluft Mountains and on the edge of the Namib Desert lies Neuras Wine and Wildlife Estate. This unique farm with a combination...
My father, the patriarch of our family and a man of outstanding courage and humbleness reached another birthday landmark as an octogenarian. Our family was there to celebrate. Food and...
South Africa’s most attractive towns are those found off the beaten track. They are uncomplicated, quaint and peaceful. Their streets are usually broad and often unpaved. The historic buildings still...
Thirsty Traveler is all about South African gin, vodka, wine, brandy, beer and more.
We love to travel and we love to sample the wares of the craft brewer, distiller and wine maker.
In the mid 1900’s, governments worldwide almost killed off the art of distilling and brewing. The thousands of micro, boutique or craft distilleries and breweries that had been handed down from father to son were banned and destroyed and large corporations obtained the sole rights to distill mediocre, mass produced, but well-marketed spirits.
Craft gin, vodka, wine, brandy, beer and other spirits.
Thankfully laws around the world are being liberalised and craftsmen, with their passion for perfection and their desire to explore are producing amazing gin, vodka, wine, brandy, beer and other spirits.
Winemaking in South Africa had a terrible reputation until the 1980’s when many farmers decided to establish their own brands and produce their own wine. Competition, inspiration and a hard work ensure that today South African wines are some of the best in the world.
For those of you, who enjoy something special and want to pair their spirits, brew or wine with their food, mood and the atmosphere, there are new delightful, well-crafted and very special products appearing on shelves and more importantly, in on-line stores.
At the Thirsty Traveler, we take our food, brews, wine and spirits very seriously and, at times, light-heartedly too. Thus, in the true spirit of investigative journalism, we embarked on some very careful research into South Africa’s wines, brews and spirits.
Tastings
We frequently conduct tastings of gin, vodka, wine, brandy, beer and other well crafted spirits.
Each Heritage Day we invite micro brewers from around the country to send us their wares for a tasting. We and the brewers have had great success with these tastings in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
We also conduct regular tastings of wines, gins and other spirits.
Read on to find out more about what South Africa has to offer those with discerning taste buds.
My mother was a Cordon Bleu chef and insisted that we eat with a near Victorian array of cutlery and crockery every night. As a young adult, I learned to appreciate the dedication and art of good cooking and as I came of age, I realised how a glass of wine and even more so, good conversation, could make a meal complete.
As a teenager our family took a holiday to the Winelands and I was in awe of the beauty, heritage and sophistication of South Africa’s wine industry. Although not yet 18 I started to collect wines.
Lagers and pilsners where the beer universe for Generation X South Africans. When I traveled through Europe in the ‘90s I was disgusted by warm English beer, revolted by Irish stouts and Belgian sours where the worst thing that my delicate palate had ever encountered.
However, like Copernicus my view has expanded. I have discovered that the beer universe does not rotate around a cold lager. In fact I have since discovered that the beer universe is literally limitless. My Dark Age view on beer progressed into a Renaissance of awaking and then hyper-drived to an unbridled voyage of discovery.
As a student in the ‘90s I thought I was rather chic because I drank J&B rather than Bells and even sampled Campari. It was not until I visited the Oban Distillery in Scotland that I learned about Single Malt Scotch and I entered a whole new world of discovery.
When I first visited the New World I discovered Bourbon and that it too has a proud heritage. On a visit to Cuba I learned that Rum was not just a compliment to Coke, and that, after 12 years of aging, is as sublime as a Scotch.
Today I remain in awe of the craftsman who, with passion, skill and experience, produce such nuanced flavours and aromas in wine, beer and spirts. This website is about my journey of discovery and also of return visits to old favorites.
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© 2021 THIRSTY TRAVELER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED