Lock, stock and wine barrel

I don’t believe in prophecies and I definitely believe that in many ways we create our own luck and that death just happens.

But, unless I contain myself I fear next week around this time I might be dead.

I love oysters and the risk is exacerbated this weekend since the annual Oyster, Wine and Food Festival, taking place at Montecasino, also includes 40 wine estates, six international wine brands and six Méthode Cap Classique (MCC) producers.

Here’s a few tips for using wine to elevate the creaminess of your oyster:

• Make yourself a spritzer with sparkling water and any dry white wine to go with a traditionally dressed oyster (lime, Tabasco, tequila and cracked pepper remains popular). A spritzer is a great palette cleanser.
• Add a few drops of a Brut or Brut Rose MCC to your oyster with lime and cracked pepper.
• Any dry MCC brings out the natural flavours of an oyster.Swirl it in your mouth before and after chewing a fresh oyster.

Oysters will be sold at R20 (medium) and R35 (extra large).

There’s also a festival special where you pay R80 for six oysters when redeeming your ticket. Make sure you try different toppings.