FAT bastard Chardonnay, the beloved South African classic, has teamed up with the culinary virtuoso Zola Nene to celebrate Chardonnay Day on May 23rd, 2024. In fact, FAT bastard is...
As the slow season starts, inviting us to slacken our pace a little, La Motte Wine Estate is delighted to introduce the recently released 2019 vintage of La Motte Syrah...
Let us talk about something worth getting excited about. Georgia and the ancient art and tradition ofwinemaking and how it has crept into the Winelands of South Africa. Georgia has...
One of the highlights of my week is Date Night as they are always full of passion. Not just the kind that your carnal thoughts bring to mind but because...
The South African wine industry is fantastic not least because there are an almost endless number of boutique estates whose craftsmanship may be explored. One such boutique estate is Onoma...
If you are a wine connoisseur seeking to experience the perfect blend of a cool climate and the tantalizing flavours of some of South Africa’s best wines, look no further...
The Cape Fynbos Wines and Spirits first became famous for their excellent gin and its beautiful packaging and labelling. More recently they have introduced a very funky range of carbonated...
If you thought that the town of Darling in the West Coast region of South Africa derived its name from a term of endearment you could be forgiven. The region...
Based in the Robertson Wine Region, Silverthorn Wines is focused exclusively on the production of Cap Classique, where the terroir of rocky lime rich soil and shale lends itself to...
Sophisticated, pretentious, historical, scientific and experimental are some of the adjectives I’ve used to describe wineries. Eccentric is probably what best describes Black Elephant Vintners. Despite being owned by three...
Franschhoek, 20 July 2023 – Le Lude Estate, a leading producer of prestigious Cap Classique wines, has announced the appointment of Kalissa de Kok as winemaker as from July 2023....
Neil Ellis Wines is a family owned winery that has been at the forefront of the South African wine industry for forty years, producing wines of the utmost quality and...
Nestled in the foothills of the majestic Swartberg near Oudtshoorn, Karusa Vineyard and Craft Brewery awaits, inviting visitors to experience its unparalleled offerings in a picturesque setting. Karusa is renowned...
Stellenzicht Wines is located off Blaauwklippen Road in the Stellenbosch Wine Region and has recently been taken over by new owners who have rebranded the winery. The farm was established...
The Calitzdorp Wine District, also known as the Port Capital of South Africa, is a fairly unique area located in the semi-desert Klein Karoo. In many respects its terroir is...
The International Wine Challenge (IWC) is acknowledged as the world’s most rigorous, impartial, and influential annual wine competition where the judging process assesses every wine ‘blind’ and judges each for...
Located off the scenic R320 Hemel-en-Aarde Road near Caledon, in the Western Cape, Seven Springs Vineyard is a premium wine producing estate, crafting excellent South African wines. Owned by Tim...
The Wine Shed at Richmond Hill Brewing Company (RHBC) has a fantastic collection of excellent wine and bubbly. This hole-in-the wall wine shop is a perfect complement to RHBC’s adjacent...
Last Saturday’s hot and sultry afternoon was ideal for the 2023 Bridge Street Brewery (BStB) Bubbly and Gin Tasting Festival. At times the cool interior of BStB was a pleasant...
One of life’s great pleasures is good food and great wine. The anticipation of visiting a favorite restaurant often brings butterflies to my stomach and placing an excellent bottle of...
Onoma Private Cellar is a family owned and operated boutique winery located on Felicia Farm in Stellenbosch. The farm was purchased by the Yiannakis family in 1999 with the focus...
Springfontein Wine Estate is an absolute gem that should not be missed on any trip through the Western Cape. Located just outside of the charming town of Stanford, this stunning...
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.
© 2024 THIRSTY TRAVELER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
© 2021 THIRSTY TRAVELER. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED