TEN YEARS AGO, the average price of the Top 10 Chenin Blancs according to the 2011 South African Wine Classification was R89 a bottle. Come February 2021 the figure stands at R303pb, with the industry’s annual general price increases due in March. Percentage wise, the other main varieties of SA vino haven’t appreciated in value to quite the same extent, although… Top Chardonnay is up from R177 to R341 a bottle on average and top Sauvignon Blanc has gone from R116 to R196. Top Cabernet Sauvignon is up from an average of R198 to R382, while top Merlot has moved from R132 to R239, top Pinot Noir from R218 to R495, top Pinotage from R163 to R378 and top Shiraz/Syrah from R193 to R288. The average price of top Cap Classique sparkling wines is up from R126 to R335pb.

Yes you can buy good Cape Chenin today at under R100 a bottle, such as the standard versions of Stellenrust and Windmeul at R68 and R55 respectively. For all SA wines at under R100 that received good ratings during the past year, click here. However, for the most highly rated, most interesting Chenins with the best track records over the past 10 years, you’re looking at prices ranging from R114 for Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection and R125 for Perdeberg Dry Land Barrel Fermented, up to R430 for DeMorgenzon Reserve or Botanica and R550 for Ken Forrester FMC.

None of South Africa’s very best Chardonnays are going for under R200pb – Jordan Barrel Fermented and Tokara Reserve are on shelf at R210, but prices then rise to over R400 for Rustenberg and around R500 for Hamilton Russell. Outside the Top 10, the best value offerings among the Classified Chardonnays include Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection at R114 and The Mentors from KWV at R125. Whereas Sauvignon Blanc wise, most of the Top 10 range between R200 and R250, with nothing lower than the standard Cederberg at R115pb.

Among the reds, most top SA Shiraz or Syrah sells for R200 to R300, with exceptions ranging from Saronsberg Provenance at R110 to Hartenberg Gravel Hill at R850pb. Top 10 Pinotage: from R165 for Diemersdal Reserve to R850 for Beyerskloof Diesel. Top 10 Pinot Noir: from R234 for Elgin Vintners to R1029 for Bouchard Finlayson Tête de Cuvée. Top 10 Merlot: from R150 for De Grendel to R465 for Shannon Mount Bullet. And Top 10 Cabernet Sauvignon: from R156 for Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection to R550 for Cederberg Five Generations.

• For South Africa’s Top 100 Wines and Hall of Fame in respect of best track records over the past 10 years, click here, and for the Top 100 producers in the SA Cellar Classification, click here. Full SA Wine & Cellar Classifications also available via email on request.