Celebrate South Africa Heritage Month this Autumn

The scent of smoke rising from a crackling braai, the golden glow of late-afternoon sun spilling over vineyard rows, the hum of voices sharing stories and laughter. This is the spirit of South Africa, a spirit embodied by FirstCape, the UK’s best-selling South African wine brand.

Bold, vibrant, and full of character, a glass of FirstCape Special Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon is the perfect way to toast Heritage Month this Autumn, when the country celebrates its rich mix of cultures, flavours and traditions. The celebrations peak on Heritage Day which was originally led by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, it’s a day for gathering around the fire, sharing plates, and raising a glass to unity. And if you’re going to do it right, you’ll want a bottle of FirstCape in hand.

Crafted within four cooperatives across the fertile Breede River Valley, FirstCape wines are the result of generations of dedication. These lands are farmed, cultivated, and co-owned by local growers and their families, ensuring that every bottle carries not just exceptional flavour, but also the values of community and shared heritage. Their passion and pride pour straight into every bottle, making FirstCape the true taste of South African heritage.

FirstCape Special Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon, made by winemaker Christiaan Visser, is bold yet beautifully balanced. Think juicy blackcurrants with a touch of mint, lifted by warm spice and a whisper of cedar. Smooth tannins round it off, making it the ultimate match for smoky lamb chops off the braai, a perfectly seared steak, or even a handful of biltong while the fire gets going. There’s no better way to celebrate Heritage Month than with a glass of authentic South African wine shared with the people you love most.

Peter Morrell, Editor, comments “I have visited the area where this wine is produced, it’s about fifty miles to the east of Cape Town and the scenery is stunning. It’s no surprise that this terroir yields such great wines and the FirstCape Cabernet Sauvignon is no exception. The wine pours a ruby red and there are powerful aromas of dark fruits like blackcurrant and cherry together with flashes of fresh mint. In the mouth the weight sits between medium and bold, and the texture is smooth, with strong tannins which make the wine dry and ideal to drink with rich food. On the palate the fruit flavours remain and are joined by oak smoke, leather, cedar and peppery spices, which combine to create a very enjoyable drinking experience. The finish is strong and very persistent.

“I found the FirstCape Cabernet Sauvignon to be a very interesting wine, over the years European cabernet sauvignon wines have become very muted, but this wine has strong and very well-defined aromas and flavours which make it a pleasure to drink. Pair it with flavourful foods and strong cheeses.”

This September, celebrate culture in style: good food, good company, and great wine.

The FirstCape Special Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon is available from Tesco with an RRP of £7.25