Welcome to The South African Wine Society (SAWS)
The South African Wine
Society, now in its 34th year, is a non-profit wine tasting
club focused on promoting knowledge about and access to
South African wines in Canada. This is achieved by hosting
informative wine tastings, relaxed social; dinners and
providing members with an opportunity to savour wines
which are readily available, as well as vintage collections
from our carefully stocked cellar.
Why not join the Society and embark on a journey discovering
the wines and foods of remarkable South Africa and
its leading wine producing regions?
Learn about our Wine Cellar – a hidden member benefit.
Everyone knows wine undergoes complex changes with age ― aromas, flavours and colours can transform it to reveal a completely new character. The harsh tannins of its youth gradually give way to a softer mouthfeel. An inky dark color will eventually lose its depth of color and begin to appear orange at the edges, and eventually turn brown. These changes occur due to the complex chemical reactions of the phenolic compounds of the wine.
Its compounds constantly react with each other: water, glycosides, phenolics, alcohols and acids connect and disband, break down and hydrolyze, only to reconnect all over again at varying speeds. That certain flavours emerge and develop is nothing short of alchemy and not yet fully understood. Fresh flavours evolve to evoke dried and even candied fruits; while hints of earth and stone, honey and mushroom, petals and herb appear magically.
Explore the answers to some of these questions:
• How often do you open a wine that you have aged? Do you enjoy it and feel it is worth the effort?
• Do you prefer young or older wines?
• Does aging an inexpensive wine make it taste better to you?
• How long should you age a wine to best suit your taste preferences?
• Does aging a less expensive wine vs a premium wine make a significant difference to your enjoyment?
• How long is too long to age a wine so that you start to enjoy it less?
• Do your preferences change if the wine is a single varietal vs a blend when it ages?
Join us in April at The Faculty Club, University of Toronto, to have the opportunity to savour this magic transition. The kitchen will offer a selection of tapas to accompany the wines ― cabernet sauvignon and its blends. The list can be found below.
Tapas style plates will be served.
1. Fried prosciutto wrapped dates stuffed with stilton,
blackberry jam
2. Roasted mushroom, thyme and Oka cheese tartlet
3. Braised short rib, Irish cheddar, whipped potato, red
wine au jus
*We will make every effort to accommodate your food allergies or special dietary needs if requested. Vegetarian option is available.
This event has a capacity limit. Once reached, members will be advised that no further registrations will be taken.
Your cheque payable to South African Wine Society will reserve your place. Please note, we no longer accept credit card payments.
To find more information about the event, including registration, follow this link.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Note: As a courtesy to other members, please refrain from wearing any scented products, including perfumes, colognes, after shaves or hand lotions.
To find out more information on our events you can contact us by email at: SAWSinfo@rogers.com
If you want information on becoming a member visit our Membership page or you can email
our membership coordinator at SAWS-membership@rogers.com.