CLEARLY as inflation takes its toll, compounded by the impact of wine producers in the Cape asking for prices more in line with what their direct competitiors in other top wine-producing countries are getting, it’s becoming increaingly challenging to find the good stuff at under R100 a bottle. We’re talking wine good enough to impress the critics on a panel, wine that experts have recommended on the basis of a ‘blind tasting’, labels out of sight. It may well happen that in the near future the price ceiling for best value wine guides will have to be raised considerably, to R150 say, but we’re not there yet.

Not quite half-way through the year and so far the wine judges have come up with 30 tips for bargain hunters in 2021 – see below for the shortlist, and for more details as well as other recommendations in this league click here.

Illustration by Walter Pichler

GOOD WHITES UNDER R100

CHARDONNAY

• Arendskloof 2020
R84pb from Eagle’s Cliff, Worcester
• De Wet Cellar 2020
R66pb ex-cellar, Worcester
• Piekenierskloof 2020
R98pb ex-producer, Citrusdal

CHENIN BLANC

• Conradie 2020
R80pb from Conradie Penhill, Worcester
• Douglas Green 2020
R62pb approximate retail price
• Painted Wolf Den 2020
R85pb ex-producer, Paarl

RIESLING

• Vrede en Lust Early Mist 2019
R95pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl

SAUVIGNON BLANC

• Allée Bleue 2020
R89pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
• Cloud Haven 2020
R91pb from Elgin Vintners

VIOGNIER

• Alvi’s Drift ADS 2020
R69pb ex-cellar, Worcester
• Jailbreak 2019
R65pb from Mountain Ridge, Wolseley
• Leipzig 2020
R80pb ex-cellar, Worcester

BLENDED WHITES

• Bonfire Hill White 2020
R69pb from The Drift, Napier
• De Wet Cellar Vintage Mashup 2020
R95pb ex-cellar, Worcester
• Forager White 2020
R90pb from African Pride, Stellenbosch
• Retief Reserve Cape White 2019
R96pb from Van Loveren, Robertson

GOOD REDS UNDER R100

MERLOT

• Goudini 2019
R65pb from uniWines, Rawsonville

NEBBIOLO

• Du Toitskloof 2016
R95pb ex-cellar, Rawsonville

PINOTAGE

• Du Toitskloof 2018
R75pb ex-cellar, Rawsonville
• Nederburg 2019
R98pb ex-cellar, Paarl

SHIRAZ

• Arendskloof 2017
R95pb from Eagles’s Cliff, Worcester
• Land’s End Syrah 2018
R95pb from Du Toitskloof, Rawsonville
• Stellenbosch Hills 2018
R86pb ex-cellar in Vlottenburg, Stellenbosch

TOUIGA NAÇIONAL

• Boplaas 2019
R88pb ex-cellar, Calitzdorp

BLENDED REDS

• Roodeberg 2019
R90pb from KWV, Paarl
• Landskroon Cabernet Franc Merlot 2019
R75pb ex-cellar, Paarl
• Cloof Inkspot 2018
R82pb ex-cellar, Darling
• Retief Reserve Cape Blend 2019
R96pb from Van Loveren, Robertson
• David Finlayson Pepper Pot 2019
R95pb from Edgebaston, Stellenbosch

GOOD SWEET UNDER R100

• Rietvallei Red Muscadel 2018
R85pb (500ml) ex-cellar, Robertson