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What Does Your Table Look Like This Time of Year?

 

Perhaps it's something sizzling on the barbecue, enjoyed outdoors while the evening lingers a little longer than expected. Perhaps it's an impromptu supper with friends, where one bottle quietly becomes two. Or perhaps it's simply a glass poured at the end of the day while the last of the summer light filters through the room. 

International Shiraz Day (23 July) is perfectly suited to moments like these. Not as a grand occasion, but as a reminder to open something new and discover how it fits into your summer. 

Because Shiraz, despite its reputation, doesn't have to be heavy. In the right place, and in the right hands, it can feel remarkably at home on a warm summer evening. 

 

Rethinking Shiraz for Summer 

For many wine lovers, Shiraz is associated with bold flavours, rich dishes and colder weather. 

But on the cool coastline of Walker Bay, that perception begins to change. 

Here, the Atlantic Ocean plays an important role in shaping the wines. A longer ripening season helps preserve freshness and balance, creating reds that feel vibrant and expressive rather than overpowering. 

You may notice: 

  • black pepper notes instead of heavy spice 

  • bright, lifted fruit rather than overt sweetness 

  • structure and finesse rather than sheer weight 

Serve a cool-climate Shiraz slightly cooler than room temperature and it becomes an ideal companion for summer dining - from grilled meats and barbecue dishes to shared plates enjoyed outdoors with friends. 

 

A Cool-Climate Expression of Shiraz 

For International Shiraz Day, the natural place to start is the Lighthouse Collection Syrah 2022. 

While Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape variety, the different names often reflect style. Syrah is typically associated with a fresher, more restrained expression, and that is exactly what you'll find in this coastal Walker Bay wine. 

Expect dark berry fruit, savoury spice, peppery lift and refreshing balance - characteristics that make it wonderfully versatile at the table and particularly suited to summer entertaining. 

Pair it with: 

  • grilled lamb chops with rosemary and garlic 

  • gourmet burgers and flame-grilled steak 

  • barbecue ribs and smoked meats 

  • chargrilled Mediterranean vegetables 

  • mature Cheddar or smoked cheeses 

Its freshness and peppery character make it equally at home alongside food or enjoyed on its own as the evening unfolds. 

 

Celebrate International Shiraz Day

Whether you're discovering the Lighthouse Collection Syrah 2022 for the first time or revisiting an old favourite, International Shiraz Day is the perfect excuse to explore one of the world's most expressive grape varieties. 

Browse Benguela Cove's collection of red wines and find the perfect bottle for your summer table. From relaxed barbecues to long dinners shared with friends, there's a wine to suit every occasion. 

 

From Occasional Bottles to Everyday Enjoyment 

Moments like International Shiraz Day often begin with a single bottle. What turns wine into a lasting pleasure, though, is having the right bottle ready when the occasion arises. 

That's where a wine subscription can become less of a commitment and more of a welcome routine. 

The Benguela Cove Wine Subscription is designed around: 

  • thoughtfully selected cool-climate wines delivered to your door 

  • a balance of familiar favourites and new discoveries 

  • flexibility that fits the way you enjoy wine 

Explore the Benguela Cove Wine Subscription. 

It's a simple way to let the seasons — and the winemaking team — guide your next discovery while keeping your wine rack interesting throughout the year. 

 

A Simple Invitation

Perhaps International Shiraz Day doesn't need much planning. 

Open something you've been meaning to try. Serve it slightly cooler than usual. Pair it with whatever is already on your table. 

And if it's the sort of wine you find yourself returning to, perhaps that's the real point — not the day itself, but the beginning of a new favourite.