Celebrated Central City chef-patron Matt Manning knows a thing or two about wine. So we asked him to handpick some choice bottles from the wine lists of destination CBD eateries and stores.
CULTURE WINE BAR
What's up: Yes, this is a Matt Manning brainchild. And this CBD gem recently won the Best Medium-Sized List award in the Star Wine List celebration, which rewards the top wine lists in South Africa. It’s a labour of love that Manning created with wine maestro Chris Groenewald in 2020. The bar offers a curated selection of South Africa’s best wines, cult classics, hidden gems, off-the-beaten-track wines, and special imports from across the globe. To create the wine list, Manning chose wines that embodied the establishment. “Aside from that, they’re also just bloody good wines! Our focus is, and has always been, on diversity and inclusivity in all that we offer,” says Manning.
Location: 103 Bree St
Website: www.culturewinebar.com
Matt’s top picks
“My current top picks are the Ataraxia Earthborn Organic Chardonnay 2020 because it is probably my favourite local Chardonnay which I’ve discovered this year. My second pick is the Marc Morey Chassagne Montrachet Blanc 2020, which forms part of our Wanderlist collection of wines from around the globe and a collaboration with Radford Dale Imports.”
PENNY NOIRE
What’s up: There is a sprinkling of female wine experts in the Mother City and Penny Setti is one of them. As a professional sommelier, the Zambian-born entrepreneur’s aim is to simplify wine for patrons and take them on a journey of discovery at her cosy wine bar Penny Noire, nestled inside Heritage Square. Penny, who was the sommelier at Liam Tomlin’s former CBD eatery Chefs Warehouse & Canteen in Bree St, won the Special jury prize nominee in the Star Wine List of the Year South Africa 2022.
Location: 100 Shortmarket St
Website: @penny.noire (Instagram)
Matt’s top picks
The Wine Thief Colombard 2021. “Penny is great at finding wine that you won’t find anywhere else.”
Radford Dale Vinum Chenin. “A fantastic Chenin at a very reasonable price point.”
FYN RESTAURANT
What’s up: French native and passionate wine authority Jennifer Hugé (former general manager at La Colombe) is the curator of FYN’s exceptional wine list with its uniquely crafted wines. She runs the show alongside restaurant owner and award-winning chef Peter Tempelhoff and executive chef Ashley Moss (former head chef at Greenhouse). FYN has garnered numerous awards since opening. Most recently, it placed 37th on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Jennifer Hugé won the Eat Out John Psillos Award in 2019 for Outstanding Contribution to Service.
Location: 37 Parliament St
Website: www.fynrestaurant.com
Matt’s top picks
Klein Constantia Vin De Constance 2006. “A spoil considering the price tag. It’s a fantastic sweet wine to end off a stunning meal at FYN.”
OPENWINE
What’s up: This spot by Raphael Paterniti and Marta Gobbo comprises a kitchen, bar, lounge and cellar and has over 200 South African wines. These are available by the glass and for offsite consumption. At this establishment, dubbed the first enoteca (wine library or wine library) in Cape Town, the good stuff is served in the French and Italian way and visitors also have a chance to taste the wine before they buy it.
Location: 72 Wale St
Website: @openwine_za (Instagram)
Matt’s top picks
Alhiet Vineyards Fire by Night 2018. “It’s a great cult classic.”
Silverthorn The Green Man MCC. “It’s one of my favourite smashable summer bubblies. Winemaker John Loubser’s newest release, the ‘River Dragon’ is also a big hit in my household.”
LEO’S WINE BAR
What’s up: Leo’s, by brothers Simon and Matthew Freemantle, is inside Max Bagels, meaning it’s a bagel shop by day and a bar by night. The emphasis is on natural and minimal intervention wines from smaller, specialised producers. The wine list reportedly changes daily with 15 to 20 wines on any given night.
Location: 120 Bree St
Website: www.leoswinebar.com
Matt’s top picks
Scions of Sinai Atlantikas Pinotage 2022. “It’s natural-style Pinotage, the kind you can expect to find at Leo’s. Leo’s wine lists are very funky and cool. There is always something new and exciting.”
HONOURABLE MENTION: DORRANCE WINES
What’s up: Dorrance Wines by Frenchman Christophe Durand and his South African-born wife, Sabrina, is the home of finely crafted wines in the French tradition. The winery has a charming urban wine cellar and tasting room inside Heritage Square. Its wines can also be found in prominent restaurants. Accolades include the Gold Medal for Dorrance Rouge 2017 and the Silver Medal for Dorrance Kama Chenin Blanc 2016 at the 2019 Sommelier Wine Awards.
Location: 95 Hout St
Website: www.dorrancewines.com
IMAGES: CCID, Carmen Lorraine, Culture Wine Bar (Tegan Smith)