South Africa

  • Amandla Signature Chenin Blanc

    Amandla Signature Chenin Blanc

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    Simon Judge

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    Amandla Signature Chenin Blanc comes from the Western Cape, South Africa, and is made by an innovative all-black, all-female team, led by winemaker Praisy Dlamini and viticulturalist Ruth Faro. The name “Amandla” translates to “power within us,” a fitting tribute to the passion behind this wine. I have seen this Amandla promoted a lot but…

  • Fairview Barrel-Aged Pinotage

    Fairview Barrel-Aged Pinotage

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    Simon Judge

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    Fairview has been producing Pinotage since the 1970s, with vintner Charles Back continuing the tradition with this wine. This particular vintage, from 2022, has an ABV of 13.5% and has been aged in seasoned oak barrels. The 2020 vintage previously won a bronze medal at the International Wine Challenge. Pinotage was created in 1925 by…

  • Rustenberg Stellenbosch Malbec

    Rustenberg Stellenbosch Malbec

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    Simon Judge

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    This bottle was a gift from someone who came to one of my past wine tastings – thanks, Hugh. It already has a few accolades, including 91 points from James Suckling in 2023, 90 points from the Tim Atkin SA Report and a Gold Medal from the Michelangelo Wine and Spirits Awards . At 14%…

  • Understanding South African Wine

    Understanding South African Wine

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    Simon Judge

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    South African wine, with its rich heritage dating back to the 17th century, has evolved into a dynamic industry renowned for its diverse terroirs and innovative winemaking. The country’s wine regions, clustered primarily in the Western Cape, produce a wide array of styles, from robust reds to crisp whites, underpinned by unique grape varieties such…

  • Spier Villa Blue Albariño

    Spier Villa Blue Albariño

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    Simon Judge

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    Spier Villa Blue Albariño is an intriguing take on the classic Albariño (or Alvarinho), a grape most commonly associated with Galicia in Spain and its Portuguese counterpart. However, this particular wine comes from South Africa, produced by Spier Estate in the premium wine region of Stellenbosch. As one of the Cape’s oldest wineries, Spier has…

  • Capaia One

    Capaia One

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    Simon Judge

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    Capaia One is the flagship red wine from Capaia Estate, located in the village of Philadelphia within the Tygerberg district, just north of Cape Town, South Africa. The estate benefits from a climate that allows the grapes to ripen slowly, resulting in wines with concentrated and complex flavours. Made by winemaker Stephan von Neipperg, who…

  • Bruce Jack Pinotage Malbec

    Bruce Jack Pinotage Malbec

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    Simon Judge

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    This South African red wine from the Breedekloof Valley in the Western Cape is a more unusual blend of 70% Pinotage and 30% Malbec. Pinotage is a grape that tends to produce wines that polarise opinion, but I find this wine to be a standout example. It opens with a lovely smoky aroma, complemented by…

  • Cap Maritime Pinot Noir

    Cap Maritime Pinot Noir

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    Simon Judge

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    Tesco has introduced another noteworthy addition to its wine range as part of its, previously mentioned, continued focus on premium offerings. Cap Maritime Pinot Noir, imported by New Generation Wines, is also available through select independent wine merchants. This South African wine comes from the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley in the Cape South Coast region. The…

  • Deluxe Pinotage

    Deluxe Pinotage

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    Simon Judge

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    Pinotage wine often flies under the radar, and this particular Deluxe Pinotage from Lidl is especially elusive as it isn’t listed on Lidl’s website. The Pinotage grape was first cultivated in 1925 through the crossbreeding of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut by Abraham Izak Perold, the inaugural Professor of Viticulture at Stellenbosch University. Known for its…

  • Babylonstoren Sprankel

    Babylonstoren Sprankel

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    Simon Judge

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    The Babylonstoren Sprankel 2018, from the Western Cape, offers an intriguing alternative to traditional Champagne. It’s part of the growing selection of Cap Classique wines from South Africa with over 260 producers and more than 400 different cuvées. South Africa now produces an impressive 11 million bottles annually and the Sprankel is a great example…

  • Global Chenin Blanc Masters 2024

    Global Chenin Blanc Masters 2024

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    Simon Judge

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    The Global Chenin Blanc Masters competition recently highlighted the remarkable versatility of Chenin Blanc, which produces some of the finest sweet and dry white wines, both with and without oak, as well as sparkling wines. The Loire Valley is its historic home, producing notable sparkling and sweet wines, such as Crémant de Loire, sparkling Vouvray,…

  • ASDA Extra Special Pinotage

    ASDA Extra Special Pinotage

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    Simon Judge

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    Having recently enjoyed this wine at an Asda press tasting, I decided to purchase a bottle to experience it in a different setting. This wine comes from South Africa. Pinotage originated in 1925 as a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut and was developed by Abraham Izak Perold, the first Professor of Viticulture at Stellenbosch…

  • Amava Vines Coastal Reserve White Blend

    Amava Vines Coastal Reserve White Blend

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    Simon Judge

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    This wine has been created by Nadia Engelbrecht of the Perdeberg Group in South Africa. The Amava Vines Cape white 2020, a blend from the dry-farmed Coastal vineyards of Swartland and Paarl encapsulates the rich heritage in the word ‘Amava’ – a reference to roots tradition, and staying connected to one’s origins. This wine presents…

  • Sparkling Wines From Three Continents

    Sparkling Wines From Three Continents

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    Simon Judge

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    The 2023 holiday season gave me the opportunity to try a few affordable Champagne and sparkling wines from three different continents: Les Pionniers Non Vintage Champagne Les Pionniers Non Vintage Champagne is a great example of how quality and affordability can come together. Despite the Co-op’s discretion about its origins, it’s an open secret that…

  • Flooding in South Africa Could Disrupt Your Favourite Wines

    Flooding in South Africa Could Disrupt Your Favourite Wines

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    Simon Judge

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    The South African wine industry is facing a new set of challenges that could potentially disrupt the supply and quality of wines from the region. According to a recent article on Wine Spectator, South African winemakers are grappling with flooding, which has caused significant damage to vineyards and infrastructure. This comes on top of the…

  • Bosman Nero

    Bosman Nero

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    Simon Judge

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    In 2021, South Africa introduced Bosman Nero, its first Nero d’Avola, a collaboration with actor and filmmaker Thapelo Mokoena, who is a shareholder in the project. Crafted by winemaker Corlea Fourie, this wine is made from Nero d’Avola, a vine chosen for thriving in sun-rich, water-scarce African soil. With a commendable 3.9 score on Vivino…

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