Spring is in the air, which means that the outdoors is beckoning, and what better way to enjoy the outdoors than with good food and wine?

For wine lovers, the Franschhoek Uncorked wine festival is a highlight of the social calendar, and this year promises to be even better than the last.

The festival takes place this weekend, September 15 and 16, and it’s the perfect opportunity to explore one of South Africa’s premier wine destinations by travelling from one wine estate to the next, sampling delicious foods and wines – some of which will be showcased for the first time at the festival.

There is an exciting list of wine farms participating, including Rickety Bridge, Mont Rochelle and Noble Hill, but we are particularly psyched about the event planned at Boekenhoutskloof, where the famous winemakers will be releasing the Chocolate Block: the 2017 vintage.

The Chocolate Block has become a staple in South African wine racks. And, as we’ve told you before, it’s a wine that you bring to a dinner party when you really want to impress your hosts.

The vintage offering that will be released at the festival maintains that rich, spicy and aromatic profile characteristic of The Chocolate Block with a slight difference. The make-up of this wine is tweaked from vintage to vintage to best reflect the season, and the ancient vines of great character, that is an integral part of the wine’s charm and personality.

Here’s a description of the wine that you can throw out to impress your friends. Just remember to swirl the glass first:

The 2017 Chocolate Block is a blend of Syrah (64%), Grenache (14%), Cinsault (11%), Cabernet Sauvignon (10%), and Viognier (1%). The nose offers a brooding compote of dark fruit with an abundance of perfume and savoury whiffs of cured meat, black olives and cigar box. The palate shows red and dark berry fruit with flavours of ripe, red plums, blueberries, black cherries and tar evident on the mid-palate. The violets and spice of the nose follows through with a vibrant acidity and smooth, fleshy texture. Blackberries and liquorice linger in the mouth with hints of dark chocolate and sweet tobacco.

Sounds delicious. It’ll be even more delicious when paired with the musical stylings of the Kitchen Jamming Blues Band, who are performing on the Boekenhoutskloof estate, and a munch on some slow smoked pulled pork sandwiches from The Southern Smoke.

Here’s a map of the participating wine farms. You’ll find Boekenhoutskloof at number 15, right near the top of the map:

Everyone likes tasting wine, but not everyone is a pro, so here’s a handy video to help you fake it till you make it at a wine tasting:

Just don’t end up sounding like this.

Consider this the permission you needed to go out and drink a ton of wine this weekend.

For more information on the Franschhoek Uncorked event, including where to buy tickets, click here.