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!
-
£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...
View full details -
£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...
View full details -
£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...
View full details -
£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...
View full details -
£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...
View full details -
£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...
View full details -
£25.41
Bouchard Finlayson Missionvale Chardonnay
Bouchard FinlaysonBouchard Finlayson Missionvale Chardonnay is characterised by its seamless mouthfeel and abundantly rich palate. It shows a youthful exhuberance, e...
View full details -
£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...
View full details -
£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...
View full details -
£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...
View full details -
£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...
View full details -
£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...
View full details -
£9.64
Forge Mill Bush Vine Chenin Blanc
Forge MillForge Mill Bush Vine Chenin Blanc has a nose packed with aromas of gooseberries and guava which are echoed on the palate, together with some firmer...
View full details -
£13.34
Rustenberg Sauvignon Blanc - Stellenbosch 2021
RustenbergWhat a wonderful Sauvignon Blanc. A superb effort from Murray Barlow and his team. Coming from the regions highest vineyards the acidity is protect...
View full details