Spread the festive cheer with great wine gifts

The famous American author, Ernest Hemingway believed that wine is the most civilized thing in the world and that wine and friends are a great blend. What better way to show your friendship than with wine as a gift this festive season? And blend or single varietal, there is something for every Christmas stocking.

The perfect pairing – Delicious wines & sweet treats

Nothing beats getting good wine as a gift

Great wines to give

Some of the wines which will make your friends smile, are under the ‘Great Wines to Give’ and include awarded wines such as the Alheit Cartology, Chenin blanc 2019 which received 95 points from Tim Atkin; Cavalli Capriole Chardonnay 2018 awarded among the best Cap Classiques in the Prescient Top 10 MCC 2020 awards; La Vierge Apogee Pinot Noir 2015 which scored 92 points by Tim Atkin and various premium red wines from De Toren.

De Toren Z

Corporate and Personal Gift Program

Just to make it even easier for you to select the perfect gift, try the Corporate and Personal Gift Program, designed to thank friends, clients and co-workers without sacrificing your personal touch. We handle your gift packaging, customization and delivery while not sacrificing any of the personal effects, quality, or messaging you wish to convey to the people who matter most in your personal or professional life.

We add the personal touch to all your gifts.

Gift Sets

There is also a wide range of gift sets comprising some top wineries from South Africa, New Zealand and Australia to choose from. Boutique South African wine gift sets are available at different price points to fit every taste and budget.

Get your festive season started with the Holiday Wine Starter Pack with a bottle of Red, White & South African Cap Classique with a gift message.

The Premium Red & White Wine Gift Set comprises of a 90+ point Red & White wine or choose from the Premium Red Wine Gift Set,  South African White Wine Gift Set or the South African Premium Pinotage Trio.

The perfect way to get into the festive mood

Library vintages

And if you – like Oliver Goldsmith, The Vicar of Wakefield – love older things or in his words, “I love everything that is old; old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines”, then look at some of the older vintages we hand selected for you.

The Anthonij Rupert Red Blend 2012 is a robust blend with a long, refined finish; De Trafford Straw Wine 2012 is 100% Chenin blanc and earned 94 points in Wine Spectator, the richest vintage yet! Mont Rochelle Miko Red Syrah 2012, a remarkably youthful wine, boasting black fruits, spice and savory aromatics with flavors of blackcurrant, olive and tapenade on a silky tannin profile; or the Vilafonté Series M 2013 that boasts 95 points by Tim Atkin; 93 points by Wine Spectator and 92 points in Wine Enthusiast. A blend with deep red and black fruit leads this Malbec driven vintage of the series. Discover another great wine by Vilafonté here.

Our Pinotage Trio is the perfect gift for any red wine lover

The gift of choice or the gift that keeps on giving

Still not sure what your best friend or favorite family member would like? Try a gift certificate and let them decide to their heart’s content.

For those folk that you really like or those that need reminding of your affection and gratitude on a regular basis, we have The Wine Clubs. A recurring delivery of boutique wines to your door. You get access to limited releases, winemaker tasting notes, delicious paired recipes and special offers too. Choose from The Limited 2 bottle, bi-monthly wine club selection, The Reserve 6 bottle, quarterly wine club, or The Ambassador limited custom wine club accessed by membership only on application.

Curated recipes accompany all wine club shipments

Our Reserve club is the gift that keeps on giving

Festive pairings

Now that the wine is settled, let’s cook! Rack of lamb in front of the fireplace with your favorite company and wine, is just the thing. The team at Creation Wines in Hemel-en-Aarde near Hermanus, who shares this recipe, suggests you pair this dish with their Pinot Noir, but the best wine could also be the wine in your glass.

Rack of Lamb with Fried Quince and Roasted Root Vegetables with Quince Jam and Lamb Jus

Rack of Lamb with Fried Quince and Roasted Root Vegetables with Quince Jam and Lamb Jus. Download it to your phone or tablet here to make shopping and preparation easier:

2 servings

Ingredients

350–400 g trimmed rack of lamb (ask your butcher to trim it for you)

50 g baby carrots (peeled)

50 g radish (washed)

50 g fennel pulp

50g quince (washed) + 1 quince (for frying)

200 g sugar

50 g rosemary

5 g salt

Method

Slice your quinces; dust with flour and rosemary and fry until golden, then place in the oven for 10 minutes at 180° C.

Season and seal lamb in a hot pan with rosemary. Place in oven at 180° C for about 15 minutes, take out and rest for 10 minutes. Place all root vegetables in the pan that you sealed the lamb in and sauté till tender, then place in oven to roast for 10 minutes at 180° C.

For the quince jam, peel the quince and place in a pot with water and a little bit of sugar. Cook slowly until soft and place in a blender, blend till smooth.

Place lamb back in oven to reheat for 5 minutes, take out and place on side for serving.

Deglaze the tray that had the lamb in with some Creation Pinot Noir and reduce.

Present on plate as you like but why not be creative and choose some festive decorations for the table settings and place cards?

Here’s to a joy filled festive season.

Shop wines from across the globe here & follow Sip & Read for all things wine. Cheers!

BY Maryke Roberts | November 18, 2022

Maryke is an award-winning, Cape Winelands based journalist who has been writing about local and international wine and travel for over three decades. When she's home, her days are almost exclusively concluded with a walk on the beach and a glass of South African fine wine or spirits.