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041wine columnist Lelethu Zondani chats about Wine Bar culture in Nelson Mandela Bay and shares her favourite places to grab a drink.

WINE bars in Gqeberha used to be foreign and I still believe that people to this day don’t think we’re sophisticated enough to have them but we have some of the most amazing wine bars just lounging in the corners of our city. My favourite thing about this phenomenon is that it offers the taste before you buy and lessens the risk of the gamble and it’s a perfect way of expanding your palate while discovering hidden gems from our African soil. 

There’s this new dimension to wine tasting when you’re in a wine bar, it removes the seriousness and snobbishness of it all and gives you a very relaxed atmosphere which is great for new enthusiasts cause you’re not overwhelmed by wine lists with names you can barely even bend your tongue to. The best addition to these wine bars is the food, gone are the days of eating cheese and dried-up crackers. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate a good charcuterie board and will always indulge when it’s in front of me but having the option to satisfy my drunken cravings with a good hot plate of food made to pair perfectly with the wine I’m drinking is what I live for. Oh, and there’s also dessert!

Off The Menu – Food Emporium 

Enough about what I think, I’m going to let you in on the best spots to enjoy a glass of wine on a lazy afternoon. The first wine bar I ever experienced in PE was Off The Menu – Food Emporium, I have a soft spot for this place because of the organization, the way they accommodate everyone and the specials they have almost on a daily basis. They offer wine-tasting nights where a brand will showcase and introduce their collection and you learn so much about wine and you meet new people which is what wine is about, creating a community so I give it a 10 / 10 best experience!

The Wine Shed

Another place I’ve heard of quite a lot and have been wanting to try is The Wine Shed, it’s a very relaxed atmosphere and it also has this cool rustic feel that most of our restaurants have so you’ll feel right at home. They have a good boutique selection and I’m interested to try it out but if you have, please let me know in the comments how your experience was.

Bohemia Art Gallery and Wine Bar.

Last and most certainly not least, we have the Bohemia Art Gallery and Wine Bar. Now this place is more my style, I believe wine is an art form and God, nature and the viticulturists or farmers collaborate together to make this beautiful liquid gold for us to enjoy. Combining both art and wine is beautiful, we’re not a city that’s big on the arts but if you’re someone like me and have an appreciation for both, this place is for you. They have a beautiful wine selection but I especially recommend playing with their sparkling wine selection and they have the most aesthetically pleasing food, you won’t stop taking pictures for the gram. 

I can’t wait to see your pictures, videos and comments about what an absolute time you had at these locations and if you know more and feel as though I most absolutely immediately need to step foot inside of a recommended venue, let me know!

Cheers!