South Africa
Since the abolition of apartheid in South Africa, the country is once again becoming a world player on the viticultural stage. As an overview, South Africa encases the elegance and finesse of the european wines while retaining the bold ripeness of the southern hemisphere.
The most famous region is without doubt Stellenbosch that lies just below the Simonsberg Mountain and where the Cape Doctor wind that blows from False Bay cools the vineyards. Here Chardonnay is the main white grape with the Bordeaux varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot weighing in for the reds. Some Sauvignon Blanc is grown but this is far more successful in the Overberg where Pinot Noir is also producing some superb wines. Look out for wines from Elgin or Walker Bay which can offer both terrific quality and value.
The hotter region of Paarl is also producing good wine especially from the older Bush Vine plantings that naturally shade the berries from the harsh sunlight. Chenin Blanc can be good from here but now some growers are showing their love for Rhone varieties by planting such grapes as Viognier for whites and Shiraz and Mourvedre for the reds.
We must just mention here South Africa's home variety of Pinotage. Not everybody's cup of tea but certainly worthy of trying, it is a hybrid created in 1934 at the University of Stellenbosch from Pinot Noir and Cinsault. Some good wines are to be found made from this variety but there are some pretty grim ones too. Buyer beware!
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£12.74
Darling Cellars Chocoholic Pinotage
Darling CellarsDarling Cellars Chocoholic Pinotage is vibrant and packed with some juicy cherry flavours that incorporate more complex nuances such as dark chocol...
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£14.56
Bouchard Finlayson Blanc De Mer
Bouchard FinlaysonBouchard Finlayson Blanc De Mer is a lip-smacking, cool climate blend that is the perfect partner to fish, shellfish and white meats. It has a frag...
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£15.35
Rustenberg Stellenbosch Chardonnay
RustenbergRustenberg Stellenbosch Chardonnay gives apricot, coconut and orange peel aromas, followed up with flavours of marzipan, sponge cake and citrus, an...
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£15.47
Rustenberg Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon
RustenbergRustenberg Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon shows typical flavour and aroma profiles of dark berries and tobacco with a well-structured and lengthy ...
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£16.54
Paul Cluver Sauvignon Blanc
Paul CluverPaul Cluver Sauvignon Blanc is clear and bright, with a hint of green. The nose is clean and fresh with expressive passionfruit, grapefruit, gooseb...
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£16.64
Ernie Els Big Easy White
Ernie ElsThe Ernie Els Big Easy White is 100% Chenin Blanc and shows the beautiful, pure-fruited and charming 2018 vintage. Dominated by citrus in its youth...
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£13.64
Indaba Braai Cabernet Sauvignon
IndabaThe essence of a Braai is captured in this bold Cabernet Sauvignon which has aromas and flavours of dark berries, earth and smoke - the ideal compl...
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£11.74
Indaba Mosaic
IndabaIndaba Mosaic is a Cabernet Sauvignon dominated Bordeaux blend, displaying alluring aromas and juicy flavours of blackcurrant, ripe, earthy berry f...
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£12.47
Indaba Merlot
IndabaIndaba Merlot is crafted in a fresh, clean style, this velvety wine offers enticing aromas and bright, juicy flavours of cherry, dark berry and plu...
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£14.62
Glenelly Glass Collection Chardonnay
Glenelly EstateThe Glass Collection Chardonnay from Glenelly has a bright and brilliant colour with a slightly green hue. The wine has complex aromas of citrus, l...
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£11.24
Indaba Sauvignon Blanc
IndabaA crowd pleaser, this easy drinking Sauvignon Blanc displays appealing citrus and tropical fruit aromas that lead to a fresh, invigorating palate o...
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£17.23
Bouchard Finlayson Walker Bay Sauvignon Blanc
Bouchard FinlaysonBouchard Finlayson Walker Bay Sauvignon Blanc is bottled early to capture all of the variety's vibrant flavours and aromatic fermentation esters. A...
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£15.94
Glenelly Glass Collection Syrah
Glenelly EstateThe Glenelly Glass Collection Syrah has a wonderful bright and rich colour with deep purple undertones. The aromas are intense with jasmine, cinnam...
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£14.44
DeMorgenzon Garden Vineyards Rosé
DeMorgenzonDeMorgenzon Garden Vineyards Rose has deep blush tones. This crowd pleasing rosé displays alluring aromas and juicy flavours of cherries and strawb...
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£11.54
Darling Cellars Reserve Old Blocks Pinotage
Darling CellarsDarling Cellars Reserve Old Blocks Pinotage has a very bright nose and a concentrated palate, reminiscent of ripe plums and cherries. These flavour...
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£19.60
Glenelly Estate Reserve Chardonnay
Glenelly EstateThe Glenelly Estate Reserve Chardonnay displays a wonderful bright straw colour. The nose displays vibrant lemon and lime zest fruit, with hints of...
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£10.34
Darling Cellar's Sauvignon Blanc
Darling CellarsPlanted strategically to capture cool Atlantic breezes, the vineyards that result in this fresh Sauvignon Blanc are on south-facing slopes. At firs...
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£10.34
Darling Cellars The Capeman Red Blend
Darling CellarsThis is a well balanced wine that is simply very drinkable! From dry land bush vines, this red blend offers a wide range of flavours including red ...
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£11.54
Indaba Chardonnay
IndabaIndaba Chardonnay has bright, tropical fruit aromas leading to a crisp, fresh palate with mouth-filling flavours of apple, pear, honey, and pineapp...
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£12.24
Indaba Chenin Blanc
IndabaIndaba Chenin Blanc is made from South Africa’s most widely planted variety and it is the Cape’s signature white grape. Indaba's fresh, easy-drinki...
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£14.44
Rustenberg RM Nicholson
RustenbergRustenberg RM Nicholson has blackcurrant aromas complemented by scents of dried herbs and notes of black pepper and spice, followed by a palate wit...
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£14.04
Guardian Peak Merlot
Guardian PeakGuardian Peak Merlot is intensely red purple in the glass, on the nose fresh dark fruit and black cherry aromas are well integrated with smooth moc...
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£16.72
Glenelly Glass Collection Merlot
Glenelly EstateGlenelly Glass Collection Merlot is a deep, richly coloured wine. It displays intense, dark fruit and spicy plum aromas, reminiscent of a Black For...
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£14.64
Ernie Els Big Easy Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Ernie ElsThis crunchy and full fruited Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from proprietary vineyards on the Heldeberg together with contract grown fruit from di...
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