THERE IS PLENTY on offer in the way of good South African Sauvignon Blanc at under R100 a bottle – including quite a number of wines with good track records over the past 10 years. At under R50 a bottle, Merwida has been building a good repution, and for a few more greenbacks you can get some of the Top 20
Read moreAT UNDER R50 a bottle, South Africa’s top Chenin Blancs in 2015 include several classified wines, namely Alvi’s Drift ADS from Worcester, Simonsig of Stellenbosch and Windmeul from Paarl. Stretch to R100 a bottle, and your options expand to encompass the Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection, one of the Top 10 Chenin Blancs in the country on the basis of great track
Read moreWHEN BARGAIN-HUNTING for good South African Chardonnay at under R100 a bottle, generally speaking it pays to look at what’s coming out of the cellars up and down either side of the Breede River, from the top end of the Breedekloof just south of Wolseley, through Rawsonville and Worcester to Robertson and Bonnievale, where Fröhlich Family Wines are among the newcomers
Read moreTHE FIRST Ultra Value Wine Challenge for SA wines priced at under R100 a bottle was a curious affair with the judges scoring “almost 500” wines according to a 100-point scale involving both quality and price. Top value rating of 99 went to the Bordeaux-style red blend Dominique 2013 from Louisvale in Devon Valley, Stellenbosch – which at R75pb must be a case
Read moreFINDING good wine on sale for less than R50 a bottle has become a big ask, and not only in terms of reds. It might be so that there’s far less rubbish being made these days, but at under R50 there’s plenty of plonk, pedestrian and boring stuff as well as simple fruity drinks that are more like cooldrinks than products of the vine.
Read moreAS IN MANY previous years, there were slim pickings when it came to the very top SA Merlot in 2013… Only the following wines achieved really outstanding reviews from the judges at blind-tastings in 2013: TOP SOUTH AFRICAN MERLOT RATINGS IN 2013 De Grendel 2010 – Double Gold Medal at Veritas Awards Eagles’ Nest 2009 – Double Gold Medal at
Read moreSOUTH AFRICAN Merlot that has been highly recommended this year by one or more of the expert tasting panels around the world AND which costs less than R100 a bottle – with prices given ex-cellar, or approximate retail if the cellar is closed to the public: ANURA Reserve 2009 – R95 BILTON 2008 – R89 BOLAND CELLAR Reserve No 1 2009 – R77 CLOS MALVERNE 2010 –
Read moreGREAT BUYS for the festive season… Cabernet Sauvignon from South Africa that has been highly recommended this year by one or more of the expert tasting panels around the world AND which costs less than R100 a bottle – with prices given ex-cellar, or approximate retail if the cellar is closed to the public. BLUE CRANE 2010 – R80 BOLAND CELLAR Reserve No
Read moreCAP CLASSIQUE sparkling wines highly recommended this year by one or more of the expert tasting panels around the world AND which cost less than R100 a bottle – with prices given ex-cellar, or approximate retail if the cellar is closed to the public. Fantastic for those festive season parties. BOSCHENDAL Le Grand Pavillon Brut Rosé NV – R99 DARLING CELLARS Blanc de
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