Wine bars: Best of Jozi
Publik Wine Bar
This sister space to the Cape Town bar prides itself on its left-of-centre approach to wine. The list features a host of intriguing local wines and there’s a heavy focus on minimal-intervention winemaking. The by-the-glass offering changes constantly, so you’re almost always guaranteed something new. Try a glass of Alheit’s famed Cartology with gorgeously salty white anchovies served with crisp Melba toast, or the charcuterie board with the Trizanne TSW Syrah.
2 Bolton Road, Rosebank, publik.co.za
The Wine Library at Aurum
Situated on the mezzanine level of Joburg’s hottest new eatery, The Wine Library presents an offering like no other. The carefully curated selection of local and international gems is displayed – you guessed it – library style, with wines on show instead of books. While the downstairs restaurant’s 99-bottle micro list is certainly nothing to scoff at, it’s up here that you’ll truly be tempted by an array of select vintages, rare finds and a few curiosities. Sit back and let sommelier Lisa de Beer help you choose a memorable pairing. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to explore Waterford’s Library Collection (a limited range of experimental wines by the esteemed Stellenbosch estate) with Karoo springbok loin, crusted confit potato, celeriac, black garlic and summer berries. 7th floor, The Leonardo, 75 Maude Street, Sandton, aurumrestaurant.co.za
Upstairs at Thief
This is a wine bar for real wine geeks and you’ll find some of the most off-the-wall wines in SA here. Not only are there more than 200 bottles on the list, there’s also always a new bottle of something special hiding in the cellar. I suggest sitting at the bar and building your own tapas board, then tasting your way through some lesser known local wines. The Anysbos white blend of Chenin, Roussanne and Grenache Blanc or the Nomadis Cinsault/ Pinotage blend by Scions of Sinai are definitely worth a try. 110 Victoria Avenue, Parkmore, Sandton, thiefrestaurant.co.za
Le Wine Chambre
This boutique wine bar is the brainchild of owner Walter Melato – an engineer by profession and oenophile by passion – who is ably assisted by sommelier Eric Botha. Thanks to the innovative Wine Station (a preservation system used in the Napa Valley) the bar always has at least 16 bottles available by the glass. Particularly impressive is the rare vintage list, which includes a 1982 Meerlust Rubicon. There’s also a solid selection of fine South African wines. Try a glass of Jordan’s Inspector Peringuey Chenin Blanc with nibbles of edamame beans, halloumi and spring rolls, or the Southern Right Pinotage with the pan-seared beef fillet for dinner.
3 Corlett Drive, Illovo, Sandton, lwcillovo.com
Tanen
This Linden wine bar and eatery serves an interesting array of affordable local wines. Its ever-changing wine “harvest table” offers specials on some new discoveries and easy-drinking wines (usually a mix of two whites, two reds and a rosé). On a tight budget? Choose from the odd-bin selection, which goes for R35 a glass and R150 a bottle. If you’re looking to splash out, indulge in the bythe-glass Coravin selection, or choose something special off the wine rack, which features a considered selection of premium South African bottles. I recommend the pulled lamb flatbreads with a hearty Cabernet blend.
32, 7th Street, Linden, tanen.joburg
You really don’t have to live near the winelands to enjoy a premium wine experience, says Steve Steinfeld of The Joburg Foodie. Here’s his lowdown on the greatest wine bars in his home town