IT’S WINE FESTIVAL time in Gauteng province SA: Corks & Forks at the Idlewild Country Estate in Olifantsfontein / Irene south of Pretoria on Saturday 25 March, the Johannesburg Cap Classique & Champagne Festival at the Inanda Polo Club in Sandton on both the 25th and Sunday the 26th. Both events are billed as classy and sophisticated, Corks & Forks in beautiful surrounds, the bubbly fest with a garden-party vibe, food stalls and live music. But which wine producers will be strutting their stuff, where are they from, and which have the best track records over the past 10 years.

 

AT CORKS & FORKS

• Balance (Overhex, Worcester)

• Brandvlei (Worcester)

• D’Aria (Durbanville)
SA Wine Classification: Songbird Sauvignon Blanc, Soprano Shiraz, SV Shiraz Viognier

• Great Heart (Franschhoek)

• Haus (Western Cape)

• La Motte (Franschhoek)
SA Wine Classification: Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc, Pierneef Syrah Viognier

• Leopard’s Leap (Franschhoek)
SA Wine Classification: Culinaria Chenin Blanc, Culinaria Grand Vin (Red Blend)

• Lomond (Gansbaai)
SA Wine Classification: Belladonna SMV (Red Blend), Cat’s Tail Syrah, Conebush Syrah

• Morgenster (Somerset West)
SA Wine Classification: Estate Reserve (Red Blend), Lourens River Valley (Red Blend)

• Nanola (Western Cape)

• Survivor (Overhex, Worcester)
SA Wine Classification: Pinotage, Pinotage Reserve

• Theuniskraal (Tulbagh)

• UJVA (Johannesburg)

• Vrede en Lust (Simondium-Paarl)
SA Wine Classification: Anni Sauvignon Blanc, Artisan Cabernet Franc, Barrique Semillon Sauvignon, Boet Erasmus (Red Blend), Early Mist Riesling, Kogelberg Chenin Blanc

• Yethu (Johannesburg)

 

CAP CLASSIQUE & CHAMPAGNE

• Azari (Johannesburg)

• Amari (Western Cape)

• Ayepyep  (Cape Town)

• Barnardt Boyes (Stellenbosch)

• Black Elephant (Franschhoek)

• Bon Courage (Robertson)
SA Wine Classification: Jacques Bruére Blanc de Blancs, Jacques Bruére Brut Reserve, Jacques Bruére Brut Rosé

• Boschendal (Franschhoek)
SA Wine Classification: Chardonnay Pinot Brut NV, Grande Cuvée Brut, Jean Le Long Blanc de Blancs

• Champagne Deutz (Ay, Champagne)

• Graham Beck (Robertson)
SA Wine Classification: Blanc de Blancs, Cuvée Clive, Pinot Noir Rosé, Ultra Brut

• Julian Naik (Johannesburg)

• Khulu (Brackenfell)

• Kleine Zalze (Stellenbosch)
SA Wine Classification: Vintage Brut

• Krone (Tulbagh)

• Paul Renè (Robertson)

• Rupert (Franschhoek)

• Steenberg (Tokai-Constantia)
SA Wine Classification: Lady R

• Villiera (Stellenbosch)
SA Wine Classification: Monro Brut