The Helderberg is a wonderful place to learn about wine and food pairings, because so many estates put a table right next to the tasting room. Cool sea breezes from False Bay give the wines freshness, and Cape cooking, from braai to seafood to Italian-style cheese platters, gives you plenty to match them with. Here is a simple guide to pairing wine and food around Somerset West, and where to try it for yourself.
Fresh whites and what to eat with them
Sauvignon Blanc is the classic partner for fresh seafood, salads and goat's cheese, thanks to its bright, zesty acidity. Chenin Blanc, one of the Cape's signature grapes, is more versatile: pour it with roast chicken, creamy pasta, fragrant curries or dishes with a little sweetness. Ken Forrester is one of the names in the Helderberg best known for Chenin Blanc, and the Helderberg wine route lists many other producers to try.
Reds, braai and Cape flavours
Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon suit steak, lamb and anything cooked over fire, which makes them natural partners for a South African braai. Merlot is softer and works well with mushroom dishes and roast vegetables. Cape blends bring several grapes together and are hard to get wrong at a table of mixed dishes. A good rule of thumb is to match weight with weight: light dishes with lighter wines, richer dishes with fuller ones.
Italian varieties and Italian food
Idiom, high on the Helderberg slopes, specialises in Italian grape varieties including barbera, nebbiolo, sangiovese and pinot grigio. These grapes were made for the table: sangiovese and barbera, with their fresh acidity, are a good match for tomato-based pasta and pizza, while pinot grigio suits lighter starters and seafood. The estate has offered wine classes and dinners with wine pairings, so it is a fun place to test the theory. See the Idiom website for current events.
Olive oil, cheese and sweet finishes
Morgenster is a wine and olive estate, and its shop sells olive oil, olives, olive paste and balsamic vinegar alongside its wines. Tasting good olive oil next to a glass of wine is a pairing lesson in itself: peppery oils love crisp whites, while milder oils suit lighter reds. For cheese, a sharing platter at Osteria Cheese Bar in Somerset West, one of the places on our list of favourite restaurants, is a relaxed way to test several wines at once. Finish with a noble late harvest wine and a blue cheese or a fruit dessert. Read more about the estate on the Morgenster website.
Three easy rules
Match weight with weight, match acidity with acidity, and let the sauce guide you more than the meat. When in doubt, ask the person pouring: estate staff love talking about what works.
Where to try pairings near Somerset West
The easiest way to learn is to taste. Vergelegen and Cavalli both offer picnics, and Idiom runs dinners with wine pairings. Cape Town Tourism also mentions food and wine experiences at Lourensford. For a full overview of where to taste, read our guide to the best wine estates in Somerset West, and for a special evening see our list of fine dining restaurants in Somerset West. Guests at Villa Helderberg can also ask us about our wine tasting options.
Frequently asked questions
What wine goes best with a South African braai?
Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cape blends are reliable choices for grilled meat, thanks to their structure and depth.
Which white wine pairs best with seafood?
Sauvignon Blanc is the classic choice, with Chenin Blanc a good alternative when the dish is a little richer.
Do I need to book food and wine pairing experiences?
It is wise to. Pairing menus and workshops often run on set days and have limited seats, so reserve ahead and check the current programme.