One of the sort after attractions is Stellenbosch and it’s winelands. The drive will take you about 50 minutes from any backpackers in Cape Town, with some of the most iconic scenery in Western Cape. From vineyards that span kilometres to mountain ranges that can bring old Simon Van der Stel to life (He was the first Governor of the Cape Colony and he can be seen resting in one of the mountain ranges outlines).
From Stellenbosch to Paarl, it is a wine connoisseurs dream – given that you have the upper pallet required to soak up the taste! Pair wine with cheese, biltong or chocolate at any one of the many farms found in the winelands area.

Interesting fact: So you think you know wine?
Stellenbosch University is the oldest University in South Africa, and at this very institution you can enrol to study wineology – the degree dedicated to wine. I can promise you that soaking up the local culture and knowledge in Stellenbosch can take you further than a $150 bottle of wine recommended by your local wine expert.

How do you judge the quality of the wine you are tasting?
Many have asked and I guess you will find that almost everything tastes better after a couple of sips. There are five simple rules that you need to follow in order to judge wine:

• Sight – Depending on the alcohol & sugar intensity the vines/legs dripping down the outside of the glass will be thicker or thinner. The colour determines the age and can tell how the wine was matured. Clarity relates mainly to quality.

• Swirl – A little spin of the wine releases oxygen and aromatic notes for you nose to pick out. Remember not to spill on this step…

• Smell – Take one or two initial deep breathes to overcome the smell of alcohol. Then you should pick up a fruity scent or oaky characters. This may lean toward a “wooded” aroma due to the prolonged contact with the wine barrel.

• Sip and don’t forget to savour – These two steps are better left to an actual wine tour!

Wine tours are perfect for a backpacker looking for their next budget Cape Town adventure. Furthermore, if you do happen to join our Pool Competition every Tuesday you could win an all expenses paid Wine Tour tour!

Shaken, swirled or spilled, wine is personal and is an essential to a Cape Town holiday.

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•         Smell – Take one or two initial deep breathes to overcome the smell of alcohol. Then you should pick up a fruity scent or oaky characters. This may lean toward a “wooded” aroma due to the prolonged contact with the wine barrel.
•         Sip and don’t forget to savour – These two steps are better left to an actual wine tour!
Wine tours are perfect for a backpacker looking for their next budget Cape Town adventure. Furthermore, if you do happen to join our Pool Competition every Tuesday you could win an all expenses paid Wine Tour tour!
Shaken, swirled or spilled, wine is personal and is an essential to a Cape Town holiday.