FOR A WHILE longer at least, most of South Africa’s leading blended whites remain combinations of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, but the number of outstanding Chenin-led blends seems to be on the increase. These are the country’s white combos that were most pleasing to the top panels internationally in 2023 to date, and highlighted in red are those that qualify
Read moreAS RECENTLY as 2011, Lemberg Wine Estate didn’t have any Hárslevelü vines – the pioneering efforts by former proprietor Janey Muller in the 1980s having been pulled out by subsequent owner Klaus Schindler, who in turn sold the property in 2007 to current custodians Henk du Bruyn and Suzette van Rensburg, both determined to resurrect the “legacy”. Today there is
Read moreTHE TOP WINE SA Hall of Fame is one thing, but so exclusive, very limited… Also prestigious is a Top 10 ranking in the South African Wine Classification – each of them found particularly appealing vintage after vintage, each of them recommended by panels of experts without fear or favour over the past decade, none of them ‘resting on their
Read more• Gold Medal at 2014 Michelangelo Awards, SA • Gold Medal at 2014 Veritas Awards, SA • Gold Medal at 2014 Decanter Awards, UK • Winner at 2013 Top 10 Competition, SA • Signature variety of the district of Darling ALEXANDERFONTEIN’S Chip off the Old Block Sauvignon Blanc from the Ormonde Private Cellar is a mouthful alright… One of several
Read moreSOUTH AFRICA’S best value white wines at under R50 a bottle from the cellar door as rated in 2014 & 2013, with vintages to have received two or more good reviews from expert tasting panels locally or internationally underscored. TOP SA CHARDONNAY UNDER R50 Boland Cellar Five Climates Chardonnay 2013 De Wet Chardonnay 2013 Durbanville Hills Chardonnay 2013 Franschhoek Cellar
Read moreSOMETIMES it’s simply about achieving as good as it gets on a smaller budget. Sometimes it’s a way of handling the left-overs or dealing with what’s declassified after bottling the really good stuff. But, it should go without saying that the second- or third-tier wines from the country’s premier producers are usually worth experimenting with if not already well renowned
Read moreALL OF THE South African wines below are included in the latest SA White Blend Classification, with those having the very best track records highlighted and the listing limited to wines whose accolades include very good reviews in 2013/14. Prices are for the latest releases/vintages to be rated – rands per standard 750ml bottle and ex-cellar in most instances (approximate retail
Read moreSOUTH AFRICA’S 2014 Wine & Cellar Classifications based on the best track records in 25 local and international blind-tasting forums over the past 10 years have just been released. To be eligible for Classification, a wine must have been made and bottled in South Africa and must have earned very good reviews by at least one of the top judging
Read moreFOLLOWING the recent announcement of South Africa’s benchmarks in terms of the latest SA Wine Classification and with the full 2013 Classifications carried on the Top Wine SA website, here are the highlights of the 2013 SA Cellar Classification – see below, given in alphabetical order. TOP 20 SA WHITE WINE CELLARS – 2013 CLASSIFICATION Bergkelder (Fleur du Cap) Cape Point
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