THE WINE is “herbaceous” and a whole lot more according to the judges who liked it so much that a trophy was awarded to the producers Villiera for best wooded Sauvignon Blanc on show – the international Concours Mondial du Sauvignon 2023, a competition based in Brussels, with the tasting panels gathered in Franschhoek (the first time outside Europe in
Read moreJUST THREE months into 2023 and international panels of wine experts have found more than a dozen South African delights from various corners of the Western Cape that are selling for under R100 a bottle. In the first quarter of the year, 150 of the country’s wines received good to very good reviews – 50 selling for between R100 and R200pb,
Read moreIT’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
Read moreSURPRISING to some, when the results of Concours Mondial du Sauvignon 2023 were announced no gold medals were awarded to any farm on Constantia’s Sauvignon Blanc Route, although there were plenty of golds presented to cellars in various other parts of the Cape winelands renowned for good expressions of the variety. Also somewhat surprising is that the top-scoring South African
Read moreGO BELLINGHAM! After panel-tastings of over 7500 wines by 242 wine experts from 46 countries over six days in the town of Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, Germany, the 32nd edition of the Mundus Vini international wine awards culminated in the presentation of 70 grand gold medals, one of them going to a red from the Cape winelands. The 2019 Bush
Read moreTHE FANCY Fijnwyn and Fijnwyn Bubbles Wine & Food Markets on 20 and 21 March at the Shokran Events Venue in Pretoria East both involve unlimited wine tastings, live music and a farm setting (pecan and almond orchards), but there the similarity ends. The more exclusive fancy festival includes a harvest table of food and a larger variety of wines
Read moreJUST a generation ago, the prices of reds and whites at a South African wine farm were very seldom less than what they sold for at wine shops in the towns nearby. Only a few winery proprietors would risk the wrath of retailers who might well refuse to stock the product of any supplier who dared to undercut them. Times
Read moreIN THE March 2023 issue of the British magazine Decanter, no fewer than 28 of South Africa’s Chenin Blancs (or blends comprising at least 85% Chenin) were considered outstanding, excellent wines of great complexity and character, rated between 95 and 97 on a 100-point scale. This followed a three-day panel tasting of 223 wines submitted by either the producers or
Read moreTOUGH BREAK for Doolhof Wine Estate and cellarmaster Gielie Beukes! The Wellington producers were among the winners of the highest accolade presented at the 2022 Global Malbec Masters in the UK with their Bloedklip 2018, one of five South African wines to earn such a top award at the series of Global Wine Masters panel tastings* conducted in association with
Read moreNOPE! The La Motte Estate in Franschhoek is not closed. Although operations at the Pierneef restaurant and various other visitor attractions were suspended for renovations expected to be underway until sometime in 2024, an Artisanal Bakery and Garden Café now operate from Wednesday to Sunday at the farm’s Jonkershuis. Dating back to 1752, the Cape Dutch building has been extended
Read moreAT THE FIRST Strauss & Co Fine Wine Auction of 2023, The Sadie Family’s red blend Columella fetched the highest prices paid for Cape beauties during a sale of collectables from the Rhône Valley, France, and Rhône-style offerings from Australia, the USA and South Africa. Most in demand of all the wines – procured by Cape Town retailer Wine Cellar
Read moreIn the January 2023 issue of the UK’s Decanter Magazine, three South African wines are included among the team’s favourites during the previous 12 months: Mullineux Olerasay NV, Piekenierskloof Grenache 2020 and Rascallion Devonian Chenin Blanc 2021.
Read moreThe opening of The Jordan Restaurant with Marthinus Ferreira in Stellenbosch Kloof at the end of 2022 crowned a great year for the family outfit offering some of South Africa’s finest wines, fabulous food and accommodation in the great outdoors.
Read moreWELL HOW about that! Following the announcement of the “pinnacle” awards in Platter’s 2023 South African Wine Guide and still in advance of the 744-page printed version becoming available, the publishers have divulged the scores of the 8000-plus wines reviewed in this, the 43rd edition of the book retailing at R399. Whereas at first we were told the names of
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