THERE ARE plenty of food and wine happenings around South Africa at this time of year, but the main attractions on the 2015 Calendar of SA wine events in November are as follows:

TOP-NOTCH CHARDONNAYS
Limited-seating tastings of award-winning Chardonnays presented by Winemag.co.za at Radisson hotels in Johannesburg and Cape Town on the 4th and 11th respectively. Expect a line-up of 10 beauties including the premium bottlings of Paul Cluver Seven Flags 2014 (Elgin) and Uva Mira The Single Tree 2014 (Stellenbosch).

VERITAS CHAMPIONS
The double gold and gold medal-winning wines at the Veritas Awards will be served at tastings (mostly sit-down occasions) in Durban on the 4th, Port Elizabeth on the 10th and Knysna on the 11th and 12th. Stand-outs among the double golds include Eagles’ Nest Shiraz, Kanonkop Pinotage 2012 and Rustenberg Peter Barlow Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, but there are many more.

RECOMMENDED BY BRITISH MWs
Caroline’s walk-round tasting of Mediterranean-style reds and whites recommended by three distinguished British Masters of Wine is to be held at the Open Door restaurant on Constantia Uitsig outside Cape Town on the 11th. An opportunity to enjoy some of Donovan Rall’s 2013 white blend, Eben Sadie’s Palladius 2012 and KWV’s Grenache Blanc 2011 and Verdelho 2013 under The Mentors label – just three of the 30 wines on show.

CHAMPAGNE HOUSES
Not South African but still… Wine Concepts’ annual French Champagne Festival at the Vineyard Hotel in Newlands, Cape Town, on the 20th promises much with the bubblies on show including Taittinger, Ayala, Drappier, Laurent Perrier, Nicolas Feuilatte, Montaudon, Jacquart, Philipponat and many more. Plus: oysters, chocolate and a grand prize for the best dressed couple.

‘STELLENBOSCH AT SUMMER PLACE’
Think decadence and indulgence at a boutique hotel in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, on the 25th… An opulent showcase of wine, food, music and art… Social event of note! Culinary creations from the chefs of Delaire Graff, Terroir at Kleine Zalze, Waterkloof, Jordan and Overture at Hidden Valley. Some 80 wines including wonderful bottlings from De Toren, DeMorgenzon, Ernie Els, Kanonkop and the numerous other top Stellenbosch estates strutting their stuff.

Oh, and there’s also the SWARTLAND REVOLUTION taking place in Riebeek Kasteel on the 6th and 7th, but if you haven’t already booked then forget it! Tickets sold out within minutes of them going on sale in July… Major drawcards including Sadie, Mullineux, AA Badenhorst, Porseleinberg, David (and Nadia) and then some.