AT THE LATEST Global Masters convened by The Drinks Business publication in the UK: “Once more, South Africa proved itself a great place for first-rate Chardonnay at an accessible price, particularly the wines from De Grendel, who have crafted a lovely and affordable Chardonnay from the Ceres Plateau in the Witzenburg Mountains.” The wine: De Grendel Op Die Berg 2019, R200pb at the cellar door in Panorama on the Durbanville Wine Route.

Co-chair of the judging panel, Patrick Schmitt MW added that: “More expensive, and a gold medallist this year, was Chardonnay from Uva Mira in Stellenbosch who manage to strike a lovely middle ground with the grape, producing wines with texture, fully ripe fruit, toasty oak, but without too much alcohol or too little lift on the finish.” The wine: Uva Mira Chardonnay 2017, R750pb ex-cellar.

For the tasting report and full results of the 2019 Chardonnay Masters published by The Drinks Business mid-Jan 2020, click here.