What to sip on now? Here are six new tipples to add to your drinks cabinet

LESS IS MORE

The Abstinence range offers a selection of non-alcoholic drinks distilled from some of the Cape’s finest indigenous flora. With no added flavouring or colouring (and no sugar), the trio includes:

Cape Citrus: Bold citrus notes are supported by delicate buchu, pepper, and fennel accents.

Cape Fynbos: The fynbos-laden Table Mountain in full bloom and distilled into a drink.

Abstinence Aperitif: A classic Italian-style bitter with a dominant blood-orange citrus note, infused with natural botanicals.

HOW TO DRINK IT: Two tots of Abstinence with tonic water, a citrus twist and fresh rosemary.

DAMASCENE FRANSCHHOEK SÉMILLON 2019

Damascene’s second release is a sublime sémillon made from some of Franschhoek’s oldest, most revered bush vines. Planted over 60 years ago, the resultant wine is a complex buffet of salted caramel, just-toasted almonds, and citrus peel.

BIG-HITTING SAUV BLANCS:

Two of the country’s best sauvignon blancs that are making the biggest international splash hail from Groot Constantia and Groote Post respectively:

1. Groot Constantia’s 2019 Sauvignon Blanc won the International Sauvignon Blanc Trophy at the 2020 International Wine Challenge (IWC) — one of the most prestigious competitions in the world. This is the first time in 10 years that the award for the best sauvignon blanc has not been won by either the Loire Valley in France or New Zealand. With great complexity on the nose, dominated by ripe fruit such as white peach, passion fruit, and guava, there’s a distinct grassy, herbal undertone and a hint of lemon. The palate has intensity and length, balanced by fresh natural acidity.

2. This historic West Coast estate boasts the perfect terroir conditions for sauvignon blanc. With its 2019 Seasalter having placed at the 2019 FNB Sauvignon Blanc Top 10 competition, Groote Post’s much-anticipated latest vintage has just been released. Expect the elegance and purity of fruit, vibrant acidity, oyster-shell minerality and a distinctly salty finish. Rich, layered, and long, the artful addition of sémillon adds intensity and balance. Best enjoyed alongside West Coast seafood, of course.

THE REAL WINNER

Journey’s End Vineyards’ Cape Doctor 2015 Bordeaux-style blend has been honoured with a five-star rating in the 2021 Platter’s Wine Guide. This follows hot on the heels of its mighty 97-point rating and a Platinum Medal — the highest-scoring red wine from South Africa — at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2020. Expect cassis and rich fruitcake on the nose, accompanied by cinnamon spice and dark chocolate from generous oak ageing. Concentrated blackberries are complemented by a creamy texture, with soft, elegant tannins delivering a beautiful, long-lasting finish.

GIN UP

Ginato’s collection of gins are as unique as they are quintessentially Italian. They include Ginato Pompelmo, distilled from Italy’s finest grapes and juniper berries, which showcases bright grapefruit aromas and a tangy taste; Ginato Clementino, sporting clementine notes and a refreshingly zesty finish; and Ginato Limonato, expertly blended from pinot grigio grapes and Sicilian citrus.

• With over two decades of experience in the luxury-drinks market, Wade Bales’ passion is sourcing really great drinks and sharing them with really great people.

• From the February issue of Wanted 2021.