A riot of reputable reds and new country markets in the winelands are vying for attention as the season moves into high gear.

Recession or no, celebrations, special occasions and annual dinners call for wines that are a cut above the everyday: this is when good reds - often blends - come into their own. Not only is the choice of Cape labels huge, but so is the price range.

We start our cellar tour at an Agter-Paarl co-operative, which is on cloud nine... Windmeul has been going strong since the end of World War 2, with 40 farmers now delivering both red and white grapes to its cellar. Their reds are riding the crest of a winning wave, with double golds from Veritas awarded to the '08 vintages of their maiden Cape Blend, their Pinotage Reserve and gold to the Cabernet Reserve (R60 at cellar door).

This trio also collected gold from Michelangelo last month, and the pinotage is an Absa Top 10 and Diamond Winner from the Trophy Winemakers Choice. The blend (R80 ex-cellar), also a Diamond Trophy winner, consists of 60 percent pinotage and 30 percent cabernet, finished with merlot and petit verdot, while the fruity, contemporary-style pinotage (R75) is making many new friends for this local cultivar.

Not only judges but consumers are voting for Windmeul, with their shiraz taking first place at the Paarl Shiraz Challenge public tastings.

Moving to Elgin, where winelovers expect - and always find - elegance in Oak Valley's superior releases. Their 2005 blend will not disappoint, offering a merlot-based wine with some cabernet franc and a dash of cab. This red could partner more than traditional red meat, widening its appeal to diners savouring lighter fare based, perhaps, on aubergine, mushroom, even game fish. Well-balanced and well-priced at just under R100 from the farm.

In a second tribute to Bergkelder pioneer Julius Laszlo, Fleur du Cap has released their 2006 Laszlo, an impressive blend of 43 percent cab and 30 percent merlot with shiraz, petit verdot and a dash of malbec. With satiny opulence balanced with structured tannins, it's in keeping with the cellar's stellar standards. It sells for around R220.

Then to Durbanville, where De Grendel recently launched their maiden Bordeaux-style red, a 2006 cabernet-based blend enhanced with malbec, merlot and cabernet franc.

The additional varietals came from the farm's vineyards, while the cab was harvested in Firgrove. Cellarmaster Charles Hopkins has produced a complex mix of berried flavours that retains an agreeable freshness. Inspired by an early edition of the classic 11th century Persian poem, the wine is called Rubaiyat and costs R240.

The popular Delheim cellar celebrated its silver anniversary recently with a Grand Reserve cellar dinner. Much reminiscing took place as well as a vertical tasting of all 25 vintages. The 2006 current vintage involves just two percent of merlot blended into the cabernet, which then spent seven months in new French oak.

Another 25th birthday was marked by Warwick Estate which paid tribute to its first winemaker, Norma Ratcliffe, with the release of a cabernet-merlot blend dubbed, appropriately, The First Lady, while the 2005 vintage of their popular Three Cape Ladies - a splendid meld of cab, pinotage, merlot and shiraz - continues to make an enjoyable partner for special meals.

Since Dennis Kerrison took over Doolhof estate in Wellington, the place has been humming, now boasting a new cellar, tasting room, restored venerable buildings and a newly-opened country house hotel.

Earlier this month, the Minotaur, their first red blend, was launched, with merlot dominating fellow cultivars of cab, malbec, shiraz, pinotage and petit verdot. This is a dark intense wine, with long staying power, at its best with roasted meat, that will cost you R' from the farm.

Farmers' markets seem set to become the trendy add-on attraction at wineries this summer. As they are great places to source local produce, which is both seasonable and affordable, it's easy to predict that family outings will be timed to coincide with market weekends.

The first farmers' market at Slaley, at the corner of the R44 and Kromme Rhee Road, opens on November 1 , to present the wares of more than 30 producers, including bread, cheese, biltong, coffee and confectionery.

There's a potjiekos competition as well and teams of five are invited to enter. Telephone 021 865 2123 for details.

The Bot River Education Foundation benefits from the proceeds of the barrel race taking place at the Bot River station on October 31. While the race is on, regional wineries and caterers will provide wine, food and music. If barrel-rolling does not entice you, there's also an early morning walk and a mountain bike race.

Source: News24.com - www.news24.com

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