MÉTHODE CAP CLASSIQUE. Sparkling wine the traditional way. ‘Champagne’ from the Cape… It all started at Simonsig in Koelenhof, Stellenbosch – 50 years ago this year. Made from Chenin Blanc back in the day, nowadays primarily from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, some Pinot Meunier. Frans Malan’s Kaapse Vonkel was the
RAISING THE BAR, six members of the Pinotage Association have teamed up to launch a collection of their finest – new ‘Grand Pinotage’ wines that sell by the case only, a bottle from each producer, for R9000 a case! Who would have thought that Kanonkop could offer something more exclusive
WHO ELSE among the top estates in South Africa would sometimes choose not to make their flagship wine, to skip a vintage in years when the quality or style isn’t quite as expected by the producer? At some wineries, when Mother Nature plays up or things go awry in
STRAUSS & CO kicked off their 2021 fine wine auction calendar by way of a ‘Rhône collection’, beginning with top South African producers such as Boschkloof, De Trafford, Hartenberg and Rust en Vrede of Stellenbosch as well as David & Nadia, Mullineux, Porseleinberg and Sadie of the Swartland, followed by
THE MENTORS wines have been marvelled at and admired ever since the launch of this premium tier by the KWV in Paarl over a decade ago. The most consistent stars in the range include Pinotage and red combos such as the Perold Cape Blend and the Bordeaux-style Orchestra, one of
IT IS SAID that there’s no more appropriate wine to pour on Valentine’s Day than a pink one: roses and rosé for the love of your life! And particularly if it’s going to be a celebratory occasion, it should be something special, something with a bit of pop and fizz,
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
THERE ISN’T ANY Pinot Noir planted at Hemelzicht Vineyards right now, but give them time and the partners aim to be making “the best possible wines in the Hemel-en-Aarde” – the brains trust comprising members of the Newton Johnson family in the Upper reaches of the valley, entrepreneur and fellow
GOING BY the reviews of multiple vintages of South African wines by panels of connoisseurs the world over during the past 10 years, the following are those with the Top 10 track records in each category according to the 2021 SA Wine Classification. Highlighted in bold are those that also
OF THE THOUSANDS of wines produced in South Africa, 725 qualified for inclusion in the 2021 SA Wine Classification on the basis of good reviews from the top panels over the past 10 years. The Classification showcases the Top 10 and Top 20 in each category as well as the
