THE 2016 Muskadel SA awards point to some of the great value wine producers at under R100 a bottle, or even under R50 at the cellar door – and not just in the fortified dessert wine categories. Du Toitskloof Red Muscadel 2014 at R50 and Orange River Cellars White Muscadel 2015 at R50 were commended for the packaging as well as the content of the bottles, with the other winning sweets on this occasion being Badsberg Red Muscadel 2014 at R62, De Wet Red Muscadel 2015 at R35, Rooiberg Red Muscadel 2015 at R48, Van Loveren Red Muscadel 2015 at R59 and Boplaas Heritage Collection White Muscadel 2013 at R120. But consider what additional bargain-priced lovelies are to be had from some of these and other cellars that regularly astound with good reviews for bottles that must drive the accountants crazy.

SA wineries offering best bang for your buck at under R50

Alvi’s Drift, Worcester – especially Pinotage, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier
Boland Cellar, Paarl – especially the Chenin Blanc and the Sauvignon Blanc
Bon Courage, Robertson – especially Colombar and unwooded Chardonnay
Botha Kelder, Breedekloof – especially the Merlot and the Jerepigo
Bonnievale Wines – especially the Merlot and the Merlot blends
Brandvlei Cellar, Worcester – especially the Chenin Blanc and the Shiraz
Calitzdorp Cellar – especially the Hanepoots and the Port
De Wet Cellar, Worcester – especially the Chardonnay, Chenin, Muscadel, Port
Du Toitskloof Cellar, Rawsonville – especially the Pinotage and the Nebbiolo
Eagle’s Cliff, Worcester – especially the Chenin Blanc and the Rosé
Kleine Zalze, Stellenbosch – especially the Chenin and unwooded Chardonnay
Koopmanskloof, Stellenbosch – especially the Sauvignon, Cabernet, Pinotage
Landzicht, Free State – especially the Cabernet Sauvignon, Muscadel and Port
Lutzville Vineyards – especially the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Rosé
Namaqua Wines, Vredendal – especially the Pinotage, Pinotage blend and Port
Niel Joubert, Paarl – especially the Chardonnay and the Sauvignon Blanc
Orange River Cellars, Upington – especially the Colombar and the Muscadel
Overhex, Worcester – especially the Bordeaux-style red and white blends
Riebeek Cellars – especially the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Sauvignon Blanc
Robertson Winery – especially the Cabernet Sauvignon
Rooiberg Winery, Robertson – especially the Colombar and the Muscadel
Simonsvlei, Paarl – especially the Pinotage and Shiraz
Slanghoek, Breedekloof – especially the Natural Sweet wines
Spier, Stellenbosch – especially the Chenin Blanc
Swartland Winery, Malmesbury – especially Chardonnay, Chenin, Sauvignon, Muscadel
Van Loveren, Robertson – especially the Chardonnay Pinot Noir blend and the Rosé
Windmeul, Paarl – especially the Chardonnay, Chenin and the Sauvignon Blanc
Wonderfontein, Robertson – especially the Muscadels

For the latest top SA wine ratings and prices, see here

Du Toitskloof wine country outside Rawsonville in the Breedekloof