Any specific South African wine recommendations

[cslwannabe]

Going there on holiday this year and just ordered a selection of red and white from Majestic as ‘homework’/to get in the holiday spirit but wondered if anyone had any specific recommendations please? Happily drink red, white or fizz so long as it’s reasonable.

Have drunk a bit of SA stuff over the years (not loads and only ones commonly available in the UK) and we’re spending time in Stellenbosch and Cape Town when we are there.

Thanks in advance.

[Audis5b9]

cslwannabe said:

Going there on holiday this year and just ordered a selection of red and white from Majestic as ‘homework’/to get in the holiday spirit but wondered if anyone had any specific recommendations please? Happily drink red, white or fizz so long as it’s reasonable.

Have drunk a bit of SA stuff over the years (not loads and only ones commonly available in the UK) and we’re spending time in Stellenbosch and Cape Town when we are there.

Thanks in advance.

Ooh I like this topic. I've had two wine trips there in the last three years. Excellent place to go.

Majestic:

The best whites are the DeMorganzen Reserve Chenin, Rustenberg ‘Five Soldiers’ Chardonnay, Hamilton Russell Chardonnay and Creation Chardonnay. Avoid the Honey Drop wines - absolute swill.

Reds - the best ive found at Majestic are from the Boekenhoutskloof winery.

Vineyards in SA:

Vineyards I would highly recommend visiting are:

DMZ
Jordan
Kaapzicht
Creation
Vrymansfontein
Brookdale
Oak Valley
Colmant
Paul Culver
Longridge
Waterfood
Storm

Obviously your taste maybe completely different to mine, the above is based off their Chardonnays, Chenin Blancs, and Bordeaux style reds. The Colmant Blanc de Blancs is the best MCC (SA Champers) that I found. All of these vineyards are within 1.5hrs of Cape Town.

There are hundreds of vineyards there so you wont find it hard to find some you like, but it maybe good to tell us a little more about what you like to help guide you better.

Edited by Audis5b9 on Friday 28th March 19:28

Edited by Audis5b9 on Friday 28th March 19:28

[cslwannabe]

Many thanks for the swift and detailed reply!

I always lean towards red (Malbec, Chateauneuf, Pinot Noir, Musar) whereas SWMBO is very much a Marlborough SB fan (which I don’t mind). We don’t really do Chardonnay but I’m open minded. Don’t mind Chenin Blanc, Viognier, White Burgundy, even Risesling (which I struggle to get past my better half).

I’ve got plenty of time so will probably go through your message and no doubt place another order from Majestic to continue my research!

Thanks again.

[Mercdriver]

Meerlust

[IanA2]

Ken Forrester


https://kenforresterwines.com/

[kiethton]

Spent quite a bit of time around Franschoek/Stellenbosch

Of our recent trip (Jan-25) or picks for white wine were La Petite Ferme and Tokara. Liked Beyerskloof for Pinotage.

Wherever you go, upgrade to the premium tastings - it's all pocket change and you generally can't go wrong.

[Audis5b9]

cslwannabe said:

Many thanks for the swift and detailed reply!

I always lean towards red (Malbec, Chateauneuf, Pinot Noir, Musar) whereas SWMBO is very much a Marlborough SB fan (which I don’t mind). We don’t really do Chardonnay but I’m open minded. Don’t mind Chenin Blanc, Viognier, White Burgundy, even Risesling (which I struggle to get past my better half).

I’ve got plenty of time so will probably go through your message and no doubt place another order from Majestic to continue my research!

Thanks again.

I think we have quite different tastes, so perhaps my recommendations wont overlap too heavily with yours but you can see lots of info about what wines each vineyard produces on their websites. Thats pretty much how I did my research of which ones to visit... see who produces what styles/ varieties I know we like, research those wines and go and try them!

Would highly recommend a trip up to Brookdale wine farm, it's a bit further out but the restaurant there is very good and the wine is excellent. It was the highlight of our latest trip. Their lead winemaker is the son (Xander Sadie) of a very high quality wine maker (Eben Sadie), and as a family they seem to ignore the old world wine rules and go with what they think works, and they are nailing it IMO.

Just FYI most, if not all, White Burgundy's are Chardonnay.

You will have an awesome time there, it is such a great place. Friendly people, very accommodating and everything is at least half the price of over here.

[cslwannabe]

That’s brilliant - thanks all!

Kicking off our holiday quite close to Ken Forrester Vineyards

[Audis5b9]

kiethton said:

Spent quite a bit of time around Franschoek/Stellenbosch

Of our recent trip (Jan-25) or picks for white wine were La Petite Ferme and Tokara. Liked Beyerskloof for Pinotage.

Wherever you go, upgrade to the premium tastings - it's all pocket change and you generally can't go wrong.

Did you get to try Beyerskloof Faith?

We were around the area at the same time as you and they said they were out of stock on their website so didnt bother going. The Faith is my favourite pinotage and was hoping to bring some back with me. Chocolate Block just doesnt do it for me sadly. Diesel is a great wine too.

[Audis5b9]

cslwannabe said:

That’s brilliant - thanks all!

Kicking off our holiday quite close to Ken Forrester Vineyards

Ken Forrester wines are also great, and quite easy to get hold of in the UK.

If you are staying in that region south of Stelle, then worth considering going down to Somerset West to Louresnford, Vergelegen, Morgenster and Erinvale estates.

[cslwannabe]

As soon as my wife hears Chardonnay she assumes it will be very heavily oaked, which is why it’s often easier just to go with something else!

I’ve tried The Chocolate Block from Majestic and didn’t see what all the fuss is about - personally I think there are much better options for the money.

I’ve had a bottle of Vin de Constance stashed for a while. Sounds like a good excuse to drink it when the holiday gets a bit nearer.

[LooneyTunes]

cslwannabe said:

I’ve had a bottle of Vin de Constance stashed for a while. Sounds like a good excuse to drink it when the holiday gets a bit nearer.

I was going to suggest Klein Constantia as a potential left-field option. Just on the edge of Cape Town.

[popegregory]

cslwannabe said:

I’ve got plenty of time so will probably go through your message and no doubt place another order from Majestic to continue my research!

Thanks again.

The booze irregular verb pattern - he’s an alcoholic, I’m “doing my research”

Might join in with these academic endeavours…

[cslwannabe]

Busted!

[cslwannabe]

LooneyTunes said:

I was going to suggest Klein Constantia as a potential left-field option. Just on the edge of Cape Town.

I’ve definitely had some of their Sauvignon Blanc but happy to try some more of their stuff. Thanks.

[cslwannabe]

LooneyTunes said:

I was going to suggest Klein Constantia as a potential left-field option. Just on the edge of Cape Town.

I’ve definitely had some of their Sauvignon Blanc but happy to try some more of their stuff. Thanks.

[LooneyTunes]

cslwannabe said:

LooneyTunes said:

I was going to suggest Klein Constantia as a potential left-field option. Just on the edge of Cape Town.

I’ve definitely had some of their Sauvignon Blanc but happy to try some more of their stuff. Thanks.

I’d be mainly hitting the Vin de Constance, especially if they had a range of vintages available, and exploring how that is made.

[kiethton]

Audis5b9 said:

kiethton said:

Spent quite a bit of time around Franschoek/Stellenbosch

Of our recent trip (Jan-25) or picks for white wine were La Petite Ferme and Tokara. Liked Beyerskloof for Pinotage.

Wherever you go, upgrade to the premium tastings - it's all pocket change and you generally can't go wrong.

Did you get to try Beyerskloof Faith?

We were around the area at the same time as you and they said they were out of stock on their website so didnt bother going. The Faith is my favourite pinotage and was hoping to bring some back with me. Chocolate Block just doesnt do it for me sadly. Diesel is a great wine too.

We went as we had their synergy as our wedding red, the Faith was out, a shame but given the above we went anyway.

[cslwannabe]

LooneyTunes said:

I was going to suggest Klein Constantia as a potential left-field option. Just on the edge of Cape Town.

I’ve definitely had some of their Sauvignon Blanc but happy to try some more of their stuff. Thanks.

[tomsugden]

My brother used to live in Cape Town so I have spent a lot of time there. Hamilton Russell is my absolute favourite of the lot, and their olive oil is also sublime. The various Contantia vineyards are all worth a visit, as is Franchhoek where there is a tram tour to get around some of the wine farms. Slightly further afield but worth a few days away is Hermanus that also has beautiful wines, as well as whale watching depending on the time of year.

Edited by tomsugden on Saturday 12th April 08:07