ALTHOUGH the 2022 Ultra Value Wine Challenge was open to entries selling for up to R130 a bottle, the Wine of the Year awards for the highest-scoring red and white in the competition were presented for submissions way below the price ceiling. Best-value red: a blend (mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz) from the Koelenhof Winery in Stellenbosch, the Koelenberg 2021. Best-value white: a Chardonnay from Van Loveren in Robertson, the 2021 vintage of their Tangled Tree Butterscotch version. Both wines lightly wooded, both priced at R60 a bottle ex-cellar.

The total number of entries in the Challenge was approaching 350, with 160 considered worthy of awards of various kinds. See below for the eight wines highlighted by the organisers as the best of the best. To get a feel for what they were up against, click here, and for an update of every South African wine under R150pb to get a good review during the past year, click here.

On the Ultra Value panel of judges: Cape Wine Master Ginette de Fleuriot, Master of Wine and Elgin winemaker Richard Kershaw, sommelier Spencer Fondaumiere and the cellarmaster at Warwick in Stellenbosch, JD Pretorious. Tasting director: sommelier Higgo Jacobs. Convenors: BuyBetterWine.com

TOP-SCORING WHITES

Bon Courage Gooseberry Bush Sauvignon Blanc 2022
R82pb ex-cellar, Robertson

Tangled Tree Butterscotch Chardonnay 2021
R60pb from Van Loveren cellar, Robertson

TOP-SCORING REDS

Boland Cellar Merlot 2021
R82pb ex-cellar, Paarl

Koelenhof Cellar Koelenberg 2021 (Red Blend)
R60pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch

Pandora’s Box Black Bird Merlot NV
R46pb from Nicholson Smith Agencies

Zandvliet My Best Friend Cape Red 2021
R71pb from Van Loveren cellar, Robertson

TOP-SCORING SPARKLING

De Krans Premium Moscato Perlé 2022
R72pb ex-cellar, Calitzdorp

TOP-SCORING SWEET

Pandora’s Box La Dolce Vita Moscato NV
R46pb from Nicholson Smith Agencies