Does Wine Have an Expiration Date?
Opening a bottle exposes the wine to oxygen. A small amount of oxygen can initially help release the wine’s aromas and flavours. However, continued exposure eventually causes oxidation, gradually making the wine taste flat, tired, sour or stale.Most opened still wines are best enjoyed within two to five days, provided they are properly resealed and refrigerated.
Wine Tasting for Beginners: 10 Things to Know Before You Go
Wine tasting is one of the most enjoyable ways to discover new wines, learn about winemaking and spend time in beautiful surroundings. Yet for many first-time visitors, the experience can feel slightly intimidating. Questions about wine etiquette, tasting techniques and what to expect often take away from the excitement of the day itself.
The good news is that wine tasting is not about expertise. It is about curiosity, enjoyment and finding wines that suit your personal preferences.
Cape Potstill Brandy vs Cognac: What Is the Difference?
A fine grape spirit carries the character of its fruit, the choices made at the still, the influence of oak and the patience of time. Cape Potstill Brandy and Cognac are often discussed together because both begin with wine, rely on distillation and mature in oak. Yet they are not interchangeable. Cognac belongs to a […]
Winter Wine Guide: The Best Wines for Cold and Rainy Days
From hearty seasonal dishes to rich reds and elegant winter pairings, the colder months transform the Cape Winelands into one of the most atmospheric times to explore wine culture. Learn more with our guide to winter wines at Dekkersvlei Vineyards.
Pinotage: Understanding the Contents of Your Wine Glass
Pinotage is one of the most important grape varieties in South African wine. It is bold, distinctive, proudly local, and often described as South Africa’s signature wine grape. For beginner wine drinkers, Pinotage is a fascinating varietal to learn because it tells a story of place, history, innovation and flavour. Unlike classic European grapes such […]
Cabernet Sauvignon: Understanding the Contents of Your Wine Glass
Many Cabernet Sauvignon wines are aged before bottling. They may mature in stainless steel, oak barrels, large wooden vessels or a combination of these. Oak-aged examples often gain savoury, spicy and toasty notes.
How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Wine in 2026
For couples planning a wedding in the Cape Winelands, or anyone who wants their celebration to feel rooted in South African wine culture, Dekkersvlei Vineyards
What is Cape Potstill Brandy?
Cape Potstill Brandy is South Africa’s most celebrated style of brandy, recognised for depth, character and a refined flavour profile. To carry the Cape Potstill or Cape Brandy designation, the spirit must meet strict, legally defined criteria: it must be made entirely from grapes grown in the Cape wine regions, double distilled in copper potstills, and aged for a minimum of three years in oak barrels no larger than 340 litres.
Bush Vines and Carménère: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters
Understanding the difference between bush vines and Carménère vines is about appreciating intention in viticulture. At Dekkersvlei, bush vines are not a trend, they are…
Champagne vs MCC: Two of The World’s Most Celebrated Wine Expressions
As wine experts working daily among the vineyards and cellar at Dekkersvlei, few questions arise as often as this one: “Is MCC the same as Champagne?” With SA Wine Week and other festivals fast approaching, a time dedicated to exploration,
