Imagine a sun-soaked afternoon, the call of seagulls in the salty breeze and the vibrant rhythm of African culture pulsating in the background. Where better to pause and sip a glass of fine wine than at Culture Wine Bar, nestled in the heart of Time Out Market at the V&A Waterfront?
Time Out Market at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront brings together the city’s best food, drinks, and cultural experiences in a vibrant communal food hall. It is the first of its kind in Africa and includes 13 kitchens, three bars, and a wine bar, bringing together the city’s top chefs and rising stars.
Culture Wine Bar was approached last year to open at Time Out Market. “The decision to come on board was a no-brainer for us,” Culture Wine Bar owner Matt Manning says. The flagship Culture Wine Bar on Bree Street, Cape Town, offers a diverse range of local and international wines, while Culture Wine Bar at the Time Out Market has a smaller, highly curated list focused on South African wine.
“I love that we have this opportunity to showcase what South Africa has to offer,” Matt says. Not all South Africa’s finest wines make it overseas, so this opportunity to highlight them to visitors is even more valuable. “We have some of the best wines and most talented winemakers in the world, and deserve to be on the same stage as global heavyweight wine-producing countries such as France and Italy.”
There’s often a misconception that South African wines are cheap and therefore lower in quality. “This view stems from the past when large cooperatives wines controlled the sales and distribution of wine,” Matt says. “But since the end of apartheid and lifting of sanctions, South African wines have gained a stronger reputation and can now be judged internationally. While they remain affordable compared with other regions, critics such as Tim Atkin and Robert Parker have helped highlight their exceptional quality.”
The wine selection at Culture Wine Bar is carefully curated to provide tourists with an authentic taste of South Africa’s diverse wine regions and highlight the distinctive characteristics of each region’s microclimate. The list includes Chardonnays and Pinots from the Elgin and Hemel-en-Aarde Valleys, Shirazes and Chenin Blancs from Stellenbosch, and Sauvignon Blancs from Constantia, with a few wild cards thrown in to add variety. The list is frequently updated to keep the offerings fresh. “There’s so much good wine in South Africa that we have more than enough to pick from,” Matt says.
The selection process prioritises wines rated outstanding by sommeliers using the WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT). Preference is given to wines from producers who demonstrate integrity and share Culture Wine Bar’s values and whose grapes often come from smaller, less commercial vineyards. Each wine must be a good representation of its region, resulting in a mix of famous classics and hidden gems. Excitement is key – a wine won’t be chosen if it doesn’t thrill the team.
Featured wines include Alheit Vineyards Chenin, The Sadie Family Wines Palladius, Wolf & Woman Grenache Blanc, Erika O Cabernet Sauvignon and Radford Dale Vinum Gamay Noir. “The goal is to spark local and international visitors’ interest and encourage them to explore further, igniting a lasting passion for South African wines and regions,” Matt says.
At Culture Wine Bar, wine flights and tasting experiences are all about having fun while learning. The bartenders love mixing things up, whether they’re lining up the same varietals from various regions so guests can taste the differences and similarities or offering a regional flight to showcase a variety of wines from one area.
For a splash of international flair, they might for example add Chardonnays from Burgundy, Napa Valley and New Zealand to show how their South African counterparts measure up on the global stage.
Whether you’re a local or a tourist passing through Cape Town, swing by Culture Wine Bar at Time Out Market to taste a handpicked selection of South Africa’s finest wines, paired perfectly with the city’s vibrant food scene.
