IT’S AMONG The Bernard Series that you’d typically expect to find the flagships in the Bellingham portfolio. However, as there currently isn’t a Sauvignon Blanc in this range from the DGB cellar in Wellington, for the best of the variety in Bellingham kit we look instead to a wine that has a label picturing the Bellingham homestead in Franschhoek – a wine considered gold medal standard at the international Mondial du Sauvignon in Austria (2017 vintage) and which was also smiled upon recently by those judging for Decanter magazine in the UK (2016 vintage).

It’s at DGB’s Franschhoek Cellar alongside the main road through the town that Bellingham is showcased and offered for tasting before, during and/or after a meal. Here you can buy the 2017 Sauvignon Blanc for R80 – one of only three of the 11 South African gold medallists at Mondial going for under R100 a bottle, and the grapes for this one coming from the Durbanville/Philadelphia area that is famous for top expressions of the variety. Alc 13.5, R/S 4.0, TA 6.9, pH 3.5.

Pale yellow with a tinge of gold. The winemakers recommend chilling to between 7° and 10° C. “Soft melon, pear and citrus” on the nose; a “burst of citrus and tropical flavours” with a crisp finish. Pairing suggestions: “Grilled fish, chicken, exotic Greek and Mexican dishes.”