CAROLINE’S Fine Wine Cellar, Cape Town’s legendary specialist wine shop, has relocated after more than two decades from landmark premises in the CBD to new beginnings in Sea Point.
Known internationally as the Cape Town purveyor of fine wines to the cognoscenti, Caroline Rillema has earned her stripes as a true South African wine legend. Her eponymous store in Strand Street has long been the place to go for that something really special. Many of Caroline’s well-travelled clients know what wines they like, but countless regulars prefer to rely on her fine taste and knowledge when it comes to choosing the right wines for them.
Caroline’s flawless palate was honed by years spent at a large retailer in Bedfordview and the iconic Three Ships Restaurant at the Carlton Hotel in Johannesburg, and perfected by many trips to the most famous wine regions of Europe.
Caroline stocks one of the largest ranges of European wines in retail in the country, with a spread of niche wines and mainstays from the top regions of France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Portugal. This includes Spanish Sherries and Portuguese Ports. There is also a range of single malt whisky, gin, rum, tequila and vodka, with the minerals that go with them.
Among the 1500 wines on offer, there are some superb finds such as the Vega Sicilia Unico Reserva Especial Venta 2019 at R7 990. The mere fact that such a brilliant Spanish wine can be found in faraway Cape Town makes it even more amazing. Always mindful of finding good value, Caroline also keeps wonderful Italian wines like Castel’in Villa Chianti Classico 2016 at R375, just the thing to knock back with some rich lasagne. She also imports affordable wines from Petits Chateaux in Bordeaux making it possible for every wine lover to experience them.
Local wines are also tirelessly tasted and carefully sourced, with bargains the likes of the fabulous Klein Jakkals Syrah at R129 and the classic Boland Chenin Blanc 2020 at just R75. Most other famous Cape wines are all to be found here as well. If Caroline’s doesn’t have it, it is probably still hanging on the vine. Hours spent in the Aladdin’s Cave that is Caroline’s is like a magic trip into the really special world of wine where you can lose complete track of time.
The new shop is at The Regent, 33 Regent Road (opposite Mojo Market). Parking is plentiful and the wines are waiting for just the right moment for you to discover them. For enquiries, call 021 419 8984, email [email protected] or click here.
