About turn… Chenin Challenge to be run as it always has been
THE CHENIN Blanc Association has retracted a statement posted on social media about a new rule applying to their annual Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge that would have limited the […]
Stellenrust ‘too good’ at Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge
FAIR OR nonsensical? “While producers may enter multiple wines in the Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge, only one wine per producer can be included in the final Top […]
Ghost Corner! Another win for Elim Semillon, Cederberg cellar
THE SA Terroir Wine Awards are the culmination of a competition unique in South Africa insofar as the entries must be certified as single-vineyard, or estate-produced, wine made from grapes […]
From up on high, among the peaks, a Chenin of great standing
HIGH up in the Cederberg mountains to the south-east and north-east of Clanwilliam and Citrusdal respectively… Amazing that they thought to plant grape vines up there among the rocks, the […]
2026 Shiraz SA Challenge spotlight falls on Windmeul and…
HIGHLIGHTs of the 2026 Shiraz SA Challenge results include Spier of Stellenbosch winning in both the straight Shiraz and Shiraz blend categories, Windmeul of Paarl offering great value at R90 […]
Wine authority’s secrecy is not in anybody’s best interests
CRAZY, or not? South Africa’s Wine Certification Authority will not disclose what wines it has certified in terms of where the grapes come from, e.g. Wine of Origin Piekenierskloof, WO […]
Ivory Manor Gourmet Festival promises a day of decadence
Experience an unforgettable day of exceptional wines, gourmet dishes, local art and luxury. Taste over 100 premium wines, enjoy rare vintage tastings, and discover why this has become one of […]
Red blend of note! Zwartwater journey off to a great start
DEBUT VINTAGE and already a champion! Scored 97/100 and winner of the trophy for best blend at the 2026 Investec Trophy Wine Show: the Rhône-style Zwartwater Red Blend 2024 from […]
98 points! Top Fine Wine Awards go to Elgin, Piekenierskloof
OVER 950 wines later… Convened by the Wine-of-the-Month Club, the American Express Fine Wine Awards is one of the largest competitions of its kind in South Africa (entry fee just […]
Hasher and Newstead top-score for South Africa at IWSC 2026
HASHER in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and Newstead in Plettenberg Bay produced the top-scorers – a red and a bubbly – from South Africa at the 2026 International Wine & […]
Cape’s best bubbles compared to world’s best – Decanter, UK
IT WAS NOT one of the Quoin Rock winery’s oft-vaunted Black Series Cap Classique bubblies reviewed as ‘Outstanding’ in the July 2026 issue of Decanter Magazine (UK), but rather the […]
Monk Stone Chenin the latest organic champ from Stark-Condé
THREE YEARS in a row! Stark-Condé‘s victory at South Africa’s 2026 Trophy Wine Show, where their 2025 Monk Stone Chenin Blanc was judged Best Organic Wine, followed triumphs with their […]