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I’m sure you’ve found yourself standing in front of the wine rack, wondering for ages what to open. White or red, Sauvignon or Chardonnay, a single-varietal or a blend… Do you choose a wine based on your current mood and taste, or do you rotate through different varieties on a strict schedule—like, “I had Shiraz yesterday, so today I have to have Cabernet”?

Wine has become an indispensable part of human culture and history. Each wine variety offers unique characteristics and flavor nuances that enrich the dining experience. One option is to rotate wines regularly so you don’t get “tired” of a single variety. More advanced wine enthusiasts then pair wines with specific dishes. A third option is to draw inspiration from international days dedicated to individual grape varieties.

International grape variety days are an opportunity to celebrate and appreciate their uniqueness. The spring and summer months are devoted mainly to white wines, while late summer and fall favor red, more mature varieties. Let’s take a look at the significant days for some of the most renowned varieties and what foods pair well with them.

Sauvignon Blanc: May 1

International Sauvignon Blanc Day is celebrated on May 1 and is dedicated to this distinctive and aromatic variety. The date reflects its popularity in the spring, when the fresh taste and aroma of Sauvignon Blanc provide a refreshing experience. Food pairing: Thanks to its freshness, Sauvignon Blanc is ideal with light salads, goat cheese, and vegetable- or fish-based dishes.

Chardonnay: May 21

Chardonnay is one of the most widely grown white grape varieties in the world. International Chardonnay Day is celebrated on May 21, when winemakers and wine lovers pay tribute to this versatile variety. The date was chosen to coincide with the post-harvest period in the Southern Hemisphere and the start of the growing season in the Northern Hemisphere. Food Pairings: Chardonnay is a great companion for creamy pasta, grilled chicken, and seafood such as oysters or lobster.

Chenin Blanc: June 20

Chenin Blanc is celebrated on June 20 and is known for its diverse styles and regions of origin—from France to South Africa. This day is an opportunity to appreciate its versatility and ability to adapt to various climatic conditions. Food Pairings: Chenin Blanc pairs wonderfully with Asian cuisine, particularly dishes with subtle curry flavors or those featuring fish and chicken.

Shiraz: July 23

The Shiraz variety, celebrated on July 23, highlights this full-bodied and spicy wine. The date evokes summer, when Shiraz offers the perfect accompaniment to BBQs and grilling. Food pairing: Shiraz pairs wonderfully with grilled meats, spicy dishes such as Mexican or Indian specialties, and blue-veined cheeses.

Pinot Noir: August 18

Pinot Noir is celebrated on August 18 and is prized for its elegance and complexity. This date was chosen to coincide with the time when the grapes of this variety begin to ripen in many wine regions. Food pairing: Pinot Noir pairs perfectly with roast duck, mushroom dishes, and light pasta.

Cabernet Sauvignon: August 30

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most famous red varieties, and its day is celebrated on August 30. This date was chosen at the end of summer, which is traditionally when this variety ripens in many wine-growing regions. Food Pairing: Cabernet Sauvignon is perfect with red meats, such as steaks or lamb chops, and pairs well with hard cheeses.

Cap Classique Day: September 1

The day celebrating South African sparkling wines made using the Cap Classique method is celebrated on September 1. Sparkling wines in these latitudes symbolize the return of spring, blooming proteas, and new energy. Food Pairing: Sparkling wines are great with light appetizers such as caviar, shrimp cocktails, or cheese platters.

Pinotage: October 11

Pinotage is a distinctive South African variety celebrated on October 11. This day commemorates the wine’s maturation in cellars following the spring harvest in the Southern Hemisphere and pays tribute to this unique variety, a symbol of South African winemaking. Food Pairings: Pinotage is excellent with game, pork, and hearty vegetable dishes.

Merlot: November 7

Merlot is celebrated on November 7 and is known for its smoothness and fruity profile. Fall is the ideal time to enjoy this wine, which brings warmth and comfort. Food Pairing: Merlot is excellent with pasta in tomato sauce, grilled mushrooms, and mild cheeses such as Brie or Camembert.

International Wine Variety Days provide a wonderful opportunity for winemakers, sommeliers, and wine lovers around the world to celebrate the richness and diversity of wines. Each variety has its own charm that pairs perfectly with different dishes, offering a path to discovering new taste experiences. Whether you’re a lover of red, white, or sparkling wine, every day is an opportunity to explore and appreciate the world of wine.

The end of the year is fast approaching, and you are surely already making gastronomic plans for the holidays. Fried carp or schnitzel with potato salad is a Czech tradition, but many of you are surely thinking about pairings other than just Pilsner Urquell. Not to mention that the choice of dishes for various occasions is very wide today, and it would be a shame not to pair them with fine wines of corresponding quality.

Christmas Eve (December 24)

On Christmas Eve, families gather around a lavishly set table, making it the perfect time to enjoy white wine. We recommend Juno Chenin Blanc, which is very popular in South Africa. This wine has a wide range of flavors, from fresh citrus and apples to honey tones. It is great with fish dishes, turkey, or even traditional Christmas salads.

Another great tip is Spier Seaward Sauvignon Blanc – with its typical taste of green figs, blackberry leaves, and ripe tropical fruit, it goes well with light appetizers and salads and is a pleasant companion for a festive evening.

Christmas Day (December 25)

On Christmas Day, richer dishes are often served, which allows for the selection of red wine. We recommend Pinotage, a characteristic South African variety. For example, the mysterious Barista Black represents a distinctive and elegant version of this South African icon – 100% Pinotage from the Western Cape region. This wine combines the richness of a traditional variety with a modern style: a dark ruby color, aromas of black fruit, roasted coffee, dark chocolate, and subtle oak, making it an ideal accompaniment to roasted red meat or duck.

In addition, Shiraz is also suitable for this day, offering strong spicy tones and dark fruit, which go well with dishes such as roast beef or game. This is especially true of The Chocolate Block, a distinctive South African red cuvée from Swartland, composed mainly of Shiraz complemented by Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, and Viognier.

New Year's Eve (December 31)

Nothing sparkling should be missing on New Year's Eve! Methode Cap Classique (MCC) is a South African alternative to French champagne. These wines have a rich flavor, fine bubbles, and balanced acidity. Ideal for toasting the start of the new year. MCC pairs well with appetizers such as platters of smoked fish or cheese, and simply creates a celebration that everyone will enjoy.

And why not make New Year's Eve a little rosier! Spier Cap Classique Brut Rosé is made from 100% Pinot Noir. The wine is full of finesse and energy, with a lively aroma of ripe strawberries, cranberries, and notes of honey apples on the palate, with a balanced flavor and lingering acidity and minerality.

New Year's Day (January 1)

To ensure that luck does not fly away on New Year's Day, red meat dishes are usually served. Merlot is an excellent choice to pair with these dishes. It is smooth and fruity, and perfectly complements New Year's dishes. For example, La Bri Merlot is an elegant red wine from Franschhoek Valley in South Africa, made from grapes grown in clay vineyards. Its aroma features notes of smoked bacon, violets, and mulberries, while its taste offers juicy dark fruit, delicate chocolate, smooth tannins, and balanced acidity.

We must not forget to mention the royal variety, Cabernet Sauvignon. And since it's New Year's Eve, why not try the best South Africa has to offer? Meerlust Rubicon is an iconic red cuvée from the Stellenbosch region of South Africa, composed of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. The wine has a deep ruby color and a complex aroma of violets, black plums, blackberries, cedar wood, and delicate spices.

If you want to try something new this Christmas, wines from South Africa are definitely a great choice. Thanks to the stable and sunny climate, they are concentrated, full-bodied, and consistent in quality across vintages. You definitely won't go wrong.

We wish you happy holidays and a great start to the New Year!

A friend of mine calls to say he's flying to South Africa, where he's going to go wine tasting. We get many questions like this throughout the year, so we thought it would be useful to write up a few recommendations of this type in our newsletter. So close your eyes and imagine that you have just landed at Cape Town Airport and have an irresistible craving for delicious wine. Where will your first steps take you?

The scale of the wine industry in South Africa is staggering – Platters wine guide dedicated to South Africa contains 700 densely described pages. So the intention to take a chance and visit one of them may seem like shooting in the dark. Fortunately, the first wine region – and the most famous one – is only 50 km from Cape Town Airport and can be reached in just under an hour. You don't have to worry about accommodation – some wine farms offer accommodation on their premises, or you can find plenty of options in the surrounding area.

Stellenbosch: a historical gem with great potential

Stellenbosch is probably the most famous wine region in South Africa, often referred to as the country's wine mecca. Located east of Cape Town, it is renowned for its historic center with colonial architecture and vineyards stretching across the slopes of the southern foothills of the Hottentots Holland Mountains. This area is considered the heart of South African wine and produces a wide range of varieties, with an emphasis on quality and tradition.

Stellenbosch is also home to several leading wine institutes, such as Stellenbosch University, where the famous Pinotage variety was created. If you ask the locals which two wineries to visit (you won't be able to manage more than that in one day), they will usually refer you to Spier Wine Farm and Meerlust Wine Estate with its iconic Rubicon.

Franschhoek: a culinary and wine gem

This area is a little further away, located about 75 km from Cape Town, and is synonymous with luxury wineries, galleries, and traditional French architecture. Franschhoek (Czech for "French Corner"), often referred to as "Little France," is a picturesque area surrounded by mountains, known not only for its excellent wines but also for its culinary specialties and rich European history.

Varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, and Merlot predominate in the Franschhoek area. Above all, there is a strong emphasis on varieties that correspond well with the local climatic conditions and terroir, which produces wines with an elegant profile and rich aromatics. A distinctive feature of the local wines is the emphasis on quality and uniqueness, often with an emphasis on minimal intervention in production. That is why you can taste such different wines here as those from La Bri, Lynx Wine Estate, or Boekenhoutskloof Winery Pty Ltd, which is known for producing the famous wine The Chocolate Block.

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Paarl: a traditional and diverse region

Paarl, the third largest wine region in the Cape Town area, located 60 km northeast, completes the golden triangle of Western Cape winemaking. This region is known not only for its rich vineyards, but also for its historical monuments and rock formations, such as Du Toitskloof.

The dominant varieties in Paarl, as in other regions, are Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Merlot, but the area is particularly renowned for producing dry and intense wines. White varieties such as Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc are also widely grown. Thanks to its diverse soils and microclimate, Paarl offers unique opportunities for producing varietal wines with deep structure and distinctive aromatics. Definitely worth a visit is Fairview Farm, which produces cheese and wine that we import under the Cape Wine Company brand, or the South African winery with Italian cellar masters, Ayama Wines.

Robertson: a region with a specific microclimate

The Robertson region lies about 120 km northeast of Cape Town and is best known for its specific microclimate and favorable terroir, which supports the growth of varieties suitable for both young, fresh wines and mature, full-bodied drinks. This region is often referred to as a "paradise for rosé wines" due to the wide range of varieties grown here.

The main wine varieties in Robertson are Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, which often win awards at domestic and international competitions. White varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc are also widespread, with producers here emphasizing fresh, mineral wines with delicate aromas. Probably the best known is the family-owned Springfield Estate, with its beautiful, mineral wines grown on stony soils and produced using traditional methods.

2028: From the airport to the cellar even faster!

And finally, some great news: Cape Winelands Airport will open in 2028, further shortening the distance to the main wine regions. Cape Winelands Airport, which is being built northeast of Cape Town, caters to the growing number of foreign and domestic tourists traveling to see the beauty of the city and its surroundings and, of course, for great wine experiences!

The area around Cape Town is one of the most important and most recognized wine regions in the world. This area is renowned not only for its unique terroirs and diverse varieties, but also for its rich history and traditional approach to winemaking. Each of the main wine regions has its own specific characteristics, varieties, and traditions, which contribute to the rich mosaic of South African winemaking.

The 23rd edition of the prestigious wine competition Cuvée Ostrava took place in April 2025 – and of course, ZEBRA WINES was there to represent South Africa. We entered four exceptional wines into the competition – and every single one of them was awarded a gold medal by both the professional jury and the public panel. This is not only a great success for us, but a powerful sign that South African wines have found a strong fan base among Czech wine lovers.

Four Wines – Four Golds

This year, we presented the following wines at the competition:

• Miss Lucy 2023 – Springfield Estate
  A bright and refreshing white blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Pinot Gris. Well-structured, full of energy and character. A great match with fish and seafood dishes.
• The Chocolate Block 2022 – Boekenhoutskloof
  A cult red wine from Franschhoek, known for its rich complexity and depth. A blend of five varieties with intense notes of dark fruit, chocolate and spice.
• Spier Cap Classique Brut NV – Spier Wines
  Traditional method sparkling wine from Stellenbosch. Fine bubbles, delicate citrus aromas and a beautifully mineral finish. Perfect as an aperitif or for festive toasts.
• Spier Creative Block 5 2021 – Spier Wines
  An elegant Bordeaux-style blend that has consistently received international recognition. Deep color, bold structure, and a long finish – ideal with game or grilled meats.

Recognition That Speaks Volumes

Winning a gold medal is a wonderful achievement in itself. But to receive it from two independent panels – one of experts and one of wine-loving visitors – is something truly special. It shows that our wines not only impress seasoned sommeliers, but also appeal to everyday wine enthusiasts who enjoy their glass without overanalyzing every note.

This "double gold" reinforces our mission: to bring wines to the Czech Republic and Europe that combine quality, character and accessibility for a wide audience.

South African Wines on the Rise

This success also highlights the growing popularity of South African wines. More and more professionals and adventurous wine drinkers are discovering the region’s unique terroirs and passionate winemakers. Estates like Springfield, Spier, and Boekenhoutskloof are leading the way – often working in harmony with nature and tradition, with sustainability at the heart of everything they do.

Thank You – and See You Next Year

We want to thank the organizers of Cuvée Ostrava for a professionally run event and fantastic atmosphere. And above all, we thank everyone who came to taste and vote. We’re delighted you enjoyed our wines – and we promise to return next year with something equally exciting.

Are there any wines from South Africa missing from your offer?

There is no shortage of Old World wines on offer in our restaurants - in particular, wines from France and Italy can be found on most wine lists. The representation of New World wines is a little less well represented. There are wines mainly from South America, and marginally from Australia or New Zealand.

But why should you overlook wines from another New World region - South Africa? This region has much to offer. It has a unique climate that is very favourable for growing a wide variety of grape varieties and making wine.

Don't be discouraged by the misconception that South African wines are only cheap and of poor quality. The opposite is true. South African wineries have a long and rich history and with expert care and modern technology produce a wide range of exceptional wines.

Why South African wines from ZEBRA WINES?

The range of South African wines on the market is quite large, but they are not all the same, especially in terms of quality. ZEBRA WINES has long specialised in the market with the import of wines from South Africa. Thanks to our long-standing relationships with local winemakers, we have been able to import the best South African wines that are appreciated by both ordinary consumers and professionals.

Our team regularly selects and tests wines from a wide range directly in South Africa. Thanks to our care and experience, we can guarantee that the wines you get from ZEBRA WINES are truly top quality. We would therefore like to welcome you to For Gastro and Hotel, where you can try our range for yourself.

Which South African wines to choose?

If you decide to expand your wine list to include wines from South Africa, you probably won't find it easy to choose. But don't worry, we're here to help. We'll be happy to advise you and offer you the opportunity to taste a selection of our most popular South African wines.

So feel free to come and visit us at For Gastro and Hotel. We are confident that we will have something for everyone and that South African wines are the perfect accompaniment to any cuisine.

What is Talamo

The winery Terre di Talamo, part of the family business Bacci Wines, boasts an exceptional cuvée called Talamo. This wine, which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah, is classified as a Gran Toscana.

Talamo has been a stalwart of our range for several years now and we have experience with the 2016 to 2019 vintages. Whatever the vintage, Talamo is always one of the best we have to offer and we are happy to return to it. Recently, however, we had the opportunity to sample something completely new.

On 15 June 2022, winemaker Marco Bacci of Terre di Talamo winery unveiled his latest attempt to push the boundaries of winemaking - Talamo a Mare. This is a wine that has spent a whole year maturing under the sea.

What led Marco to this unusual experiment? Like all brilliant ideas, this one was born by chance. One day he discovered a bottle of wine that had been forgotten in the galley of his sailboat. When he opened it, he was surprised at how different the taste and aroma were from the bottles he had opened on land. And so Talamo a Mare was born.

THE SECRET OF AGING WINE UNDER THE SEA

The magic with the sea and the wine took place on the Argentario coast, where nine cages containing around 9,000 carefully selected bottles of wine were placed at a depth of 35 metres below sea level. The ocean, with its continuous movements, constant temperature of 16 degrees and constant pressure of 4.5 bar, provides ideal conditions for ageing wine that are not found on land.

The movements of the sea are proving to be a significant factor here. Thanks to the constant sea currents, the bottles are in endless motion, reminiscent of a cradle. Pressure does not play a role at this point, as the bottles are fitted with glass stoppers with silicone seals to ensure that not a drop of seawater gets in.

The packaging of Talamo a Mare is a real work of art. Each bottle is concealed in a wooden box and covered with traces left by marine animals, adding to its uniqueness. An elegant aluminium plate engraved with the name of the wine, Talamo a Mare, adorns each bottle. And as the icing on the cake, the package also includes a numbered certificate with detailed information and a map showing where the bottle was deposited in the sea.

HOW DOES THE TASTE OF TALAMO AND TALAMO A MARE DIFFER?

I've always been a little sceptical about the idea that the way a wine is stored could have any major effect on its flavour - unless we're talking about extremely unsuitable conditions such as high temperature or exposure to light and sun. Still, the opportunity presented itself to test the supposed small difference myself, and so I embarked on a comparative tasting.

We were all absolutely amazed by the results. Both the land-aged Talamo and the Talamo a Mare samples were from the 2018 vintage. The Talamo a Mare was significantly rounder and riper than its land-based counterpart. For interest, we also tried the traditional Talamo from the 2016 vintage, and even in this comparison, the "marine" variant was slightly more mature.

Of course, it is not possible that we were the first to compare the two wines. There even seems to be a consensus in this regard. For reference, for example, you can visit  Talamo a Mare: The underwater resting place of a thousand expressions refined 35 metres under the sea. - WinesCritic. 

IS TALAMO A MARE WORTH IT?

Before we get into the evaluation of whether Talamo a Mare is worth it, it is important to understand what actually distinguishes this wine from the classic Talamo. Talamo a Mare is a wine that has undergone a year of aging in bottles submerged thirty-five metres below sea level. This unusual ageing method is said to create a distinctive flavour profile that is not possible to achieve with traditional ageing methods.

Another factor to consider when deciding on the value of Talamo a Mare is its price. Talamo a Mare is usually more expensive than its traditional counterpart. However, this higher price may be entirely appropriate if you are looking for a unique and premium wine that has been aged in this unique way.

The decision to invest in Talamo and Mare depends on personal preference. If you appreciate unique and quality wines, or are looking for a valuable gift for wine lovers, then Talamo a Mare may be the right choice.

What about you? Does anyone have experience with a similar comparison? I'd be happy if you share your insights.

Zdenek Bínek

zdenek.binek@zebrawines.cz

30.8.2023

Odkazy 

• Talamo na ZEBRA WINES
• Talamo a Mare IGT ma ZEBRA WINES
• Terre di Talamo, vinařství na dně moře (video)

The Wine Prague fair was held on 16 and 17 May 2023 and this was the second time your company participated. This year was the 7th edition, which fortunately was not adversely affected by any restrictions. We can note that compared to the previous edition, the number of visitors increased by approximately 10% to 5142 and the number of exhibitors increased by less than 5% to 180.

From personal experience, we felt that there were significantly more visitors, especially at our booth. This hopefully confirms that our presentation was attractive and generated interest among visitors to the fair.

During the fair we focused, among other things, on exploring the preferences of visitors to our stand. In the white varieties, Sauvignon Blanc was the winner and in the red varieties, Shiraz was the most popular. The two varieties that are specific to South Africa - namely Chenin Blanc and Pinotage came second, indicating the growing interest of visitors in wines from this region. It is interesting to see how these varieties are gaining in popularity.

The positive news is that more and more people are willing to pay extra for quality wine. This trend shows a growing awareness of the value and quality of wine among visitors to the fair.

Analyses of visitor preferences are valuable to us and can help us adapt our offerings in the future.

ZEBRA WINES participated for the first time this year in the prestigious international wine competition Cuvée 2023, organized by the Ostrava Wine Builders Club K.A.H.A.N. in cooperation with the hotel Zámek Zábřeh and the National Wine Centre. This unique competition, which took place in April and May, is now in its 21st year and represents a unique opportunity for winemakers from Bohemia, Moravia and abroad to showcase their best coupages, assemblages and vignettes. This year's event attracted 136 competition samples from eight countries - the Czech Republic, Slovakia, France, Bulgaria, Denmark, Spain, Austria and South Africa. The wines were evaluated under the expert guarantee of the National Wine Centre and awarded with a 100-point scale, which is in line with the criteria defined by the National Standards for Certified Wine Competitions in the Czech Republic.

ZEBRA WINES entered two wines into the competition - Spier Creative Block 2 (cuvée Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon) and Creative Block 3 (cuvée Shiraz, Mourvedre and Viognier). And both samples won awards! Creative Block 3 won a silver medal and a gold medal from the public jury, while Creative Block 2 won a double gold medal and even became Champion of the white wine competition. This achievement is a great honour for Spier Wines and a confirmation of the quality of their wines.

The Cuvée 2023 competition was founded by the founder Prof. Vilém Kraus and the organizers of the K.A.H.A.N. Ostrava Wine Builders Club with the aim to support and promote winemaking in the Moravian-Silesian region. This year's edition confirmed the high level of wines from this region, when Moravian wines won a total of 5 large gold, 14 gold and 53 silver medals. Foreign participants also performed well, with France (3 gold, 3 silver), Slovakia (2 gold, 5 silver) and Bulgaria (2 gold, 2 silver) recording the most successes.

ZEBRA WINES is very proud of the success of the winery we represent in the Cuvée 2023 competition and looks forward to the next edition in 2024. 

So we have a new date for the fair and after two years of postponements, Wine Prague 2022 will take place! This year's Wine Prague will take place on May 10 and 11. We will be focusing primarily on our South African offering and as the only specialist ma South Africa we will be showcasing the best of this vitally important region of the New World.

Our booth will concentrate on wines of higher to premium quality from two regions: Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. The Stellenbosch range will be built around a wide selection of mainly red wines from Spier Wine, especially the Seaward range, Creative Block and the best of the 21 Gables range. The Stellenbosch range will be complemented by two wines from the smaller Meerlust winery, including the famous Rubicon. From the Franschhoek region, visitors will be able to sample varieties from the La Bri, La Couronne and Lynx wineries, including South Africa's most widely grown varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Pinotage.

However, Old World lovers will not miss out either! From our Tuscan offer we will be presenting the offer from three wineries: Castello di Bossi, Renieri and Terre di Talamo, which produce the famous Chianti, Morellino di Scansano and Brunello di Montalcino.

If you would like to make an appointment with us at the fair for a specific time, please do not hesitate to book an appointment

"Everything bad in the world is due to lack of knowledge," a wise man recently said to himself and started building schools. That's why we decided to expand our knowledge so that we can better convey to you the good in the wines we offer. Because today's wines carry not only a visual and gustatory sensation, but also a unique origin and an interesting story, which together intertwine in a unique experience in a given place, time and in the presence of loved ones or friends.

We are therefore delighted that last week we completed our efforts and successfully completed the Sommelier courses at the Wine Academy in Valtice, which will help us to share similar experiences with you.