‘BORN’ in South Africa and, at its best, one of the country’s delightful ambassadors. These are the expressions of Pinotage that really wowed the top panels around the world in 2023 to date, and highlighted in red are those that qualify for the SA Wine Classification showcasing good track records over the past 10 years. Alvi’s Drift Verreaux Pinotage
Read moreMANY STOPPED paying attention to the Michelangelo Awards when it was pointed out that, like the South African Young Wine Show, the entries include tank- and barrel-samples, i.e. wines that are not market-ready when they are judged and which could change significantly by the time they go on sale. It’s possible that these competition results and bottle stickers might sometimes
Read moreTHE VAST majority of entries at the annual Concours Mondial du Sauvignon 2020 were from the 2019 and 2018 vintages, but there was a South African that stood out for being way older than most: vintage 2012 of the Delaire Graff Coastal Cuvée Sauvignon Blanc, made using a combination of grapes sourced from the districts of Durbanville, Stellenbosch, Darling and
Read moreTHE RECENT launch by Alvi’s Drift of a flagship Chenin Blanc under the Albertus Viljoen label is the culmination of another outstanding year for this cellar in the Worcester district of the Breede River Valley. The winery on the Alfalfa farm 17km south of the town of Worcester has enjoyed success after success since its first bottling in 2004, and
Read moreWHITE BLENDS from South Africa that have been highly recommended this year by one or more of the expert tasting panels around the world AND which cost less than R80 a bottle – with prices given ex-cellar, or approximate retail if the winery is closed to the public: ALTYDGEDACHT The Ollo 2011 – R75 ALVI’S DRIFT Chardonnay Viognier 2011 – R34 BON
Read moreSA CHENIN BLANC highly recommended this year by one or more of the expert tasting panels around the world AND which costs less than R50 a bottle – with prices given ex-cellar, or approximate retail if the cellar is closed to the public: ALVI’S DRIFT 2012 – R29 ARABELLA 2012 – R38 BON COURAGE Like Father Like Son 2012 – R29 BOSCHENDAL 2011 – R41
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