Windmeul, Perdeberg and Bon Courage stand out as front-runners in best-value stakes at Veritas 2012
| Windmeul Cellar, R44, Paarl |
THE 2012 VERITAS AWARDS include particularly impressive performances by KWV, Nederburg, Cederberg, Durbanville Hills, Marianne, Nuy, Rust en Vrede, Simonsig, Spier and Windmeul – all winning four or more gold or double gold medals at the South African National Wine Show Association’s major competition of the year. However for cash-strapped wine shoppers looking for bargains among the laureates, three names stand out in the best value stakes: Windmeul (again), Perdeberg and Bon Courage.
The Windmeul Cellar off the R44 in the foothills on the north-western side of Paarl Rock (mountain) was long associated by those in the know with cheap and cheerful quaffing stuff, perhaps a more serious Pinotage occasionally. However the cooperative is fast losing its status as one of the district’s best kept secrets, its medal haul at Veritas being the latest in a succession of good reviews at local competition level that has stepped up a gear in recent years.
Little remains of the windmill that Windmeul Cellar was named after, one of 27 mills in the area between 1884 and 1890 and the only one of them that was wind-powered. In its place is a new building including a function facility, with the wine-tasting area surrounded by barrels in the middle of the cellar. And once a month the property becomes even more welcoming when the Farmers’ Market gets underway – the next ones are diarised for Saturday 3 November and Saturday 1 December.
At Veritas 2012 they won double gold medals for their Windmeul Sauvignon Blanc 2012 and Windmeul Pinotage Reserve 2011 at R34 and R80 a bottle respectively, plus gold medals for their Windmeul Chenin Blanc 2012 (R31) and Windmeul Cape Blend Reserve (R85).
And what a coincidence (or not) that another of the country’s top-value wine producers who shone at Veritas 2012 is just some 8km west of Windmeul on the Voorpaardeberg Road. The humble Perdeberg Winery is widely regarded as consistently one of the country’s best Chenin Blanc producers, especially in terms of unwooded versions at under R35 a bottle, their range of medal winners now extends to reds and a Cap Classique sparkling wine, and they have a family destination of their own – the Perdeberg Winery October Festival taking place every Saturday this month.
At Veritas this year they shone with their Perdeberg Chenin Blanc 2012 at R30 a bottle, Perdeberg Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (R35) and Perdeberg Brut Reserve 2009 (R85).
Whereas Bon Courage alongside the Breede River between Robertson and Bonnievale has been one of South Africa’s best-value wine producers for as long as most savvy bargain-wine hunters can remember. Of course, they make a number of serious, top-flight wines too, and we can’t wait to try out the new Jacques Bruére Brut Rosé in their range of vintage Cap Classique sparkling wines.
At Veritas 2012 they struck gold with their Bon Courage Chardonnay 2012 at R34 a bottle, Bon Courage Hillside White 2012 (R33) and Like Father Like Son Chenin Blanc 2012 (R29).
For more info about the Veritas Awards and full results of the competition, click here.
The Windmeul Cellar off the R44 in the foothills on the north-western side of Paarl Rock (mountain) was long associated by those in the know with cheap and cheerful quaffing stuff, perhaps a more serious Pinotage occasionally. However the cooperative is fast losing its status as one of the district’s best kept secrets, its medal haul at Veritas being the latest in a succession of good reviews at local competition level that has stepped up a gear in recent years.
Little remains of the windmill that Windmeul Cellar was named after, one of 27 mills in the area between 1884 and 1890 and the only one of them that was wind-powered. In its place is a new building including a function facility, with the wine-tasting area surrounded by barrels in the middle of the cellar. And once a month the property becomes even more welcoming when the Farmers’ Market gets underway – the next ones are diarised for Saturday 3 November and Saturday 1 December.
At Veritas 2012 they won double gold medals for their Windmeul Sauvignon Blanc 2012 and Windmeul Pinotage Reserve 2011 at R34 and R80 a bottle respectively, plus gold medals for their Windmeul Chenin Blanc 2012 (R31) and Windmeul Cape Blend Reserve (R85).
And what a coincidence (or not) that another of the country’s top-value wine producers who shone at Veritas 2012 is just some 8km west of Windmeul on the Voorpaardeberg Road. The humble Perdeberg Winery is widely regarded as consistently one of the country’s best Chenin Blanc producers, especially in terms of unwooded versions at under R35 a bottle, their range of medal winners now extends to reds and a Cap Classique sparkling wine, and they have a family destination of their own – the Perdeberg Winery October Festival taking place every Saturday this month.
At Veritas this year they shone with their Perdeberg Chenin Blanc 2012 at R30 a bottle, Perdeberg Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (R35) and Perdeberg Brut Reserve 2009 (R85).
Whereas Bon Courage alongside the Breede River between Robertson and Bonnievale has been one of South Africa’s best-value wine producers for as long as most savvy bargain-wine hunters can remember. Of course, they make a number of serious, top-flight wines too, and we can’t wait to try out the new Jacques Bruére Brut Rosé in their range of vintage Cap Classique sparkling wines.
At Veritas 2012 they struck gold with their Bon Courage Chardonnay 2012 at R34 a bottle, Bon Courage Hillside White 2012 (R33) and Like Father Like Son Chenin Blanc 2012 (R29).
For more info about the Veritas Awards and full results of the competition, click here.
