INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
South African wines are gaining popularity in trendsetting places such as London where top Sommeliers and international wine critics are taking notice of the exceptional wines that this region is producing.
Get to know South African wine and some of their exceptional producers and award-winning wines from our compilation of the latest write-ups from international wine critics and writers.
Some of the images on this page have been repurposed from the articles being featured.
Vivino's Top 25 South African Chardonnays
Find out more about South African's best Chardonnays according to Vivino users.
Vivino.com, Oct 2023
South Africa's Answer to Burgundy
Burgundy and Pinot Noir have been fashionable for two, possibly three, decades, but South Africa – so much more famous for hearty reds – has taken its time to identify where this delicate grape has the best chance of prospering.
By Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com, 5 Oct 2023
So what do South African old-vine wines taste like?
Jancis Robinson offers her notes from a tasting of 13 wines from Old Vine Project Certified Heritage Vineyards that she was treated to during her visit to South Africa in May 2023.
By Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com, 16 Aug 2023
Why South African wines are a must-add to your wine collection
The idyllic yet undervalued wine nation is punching above its weight and producing impressive age-worthy wines. Here’s a quick overview and our picks of 8 wines that are making a mark.
By Nimmi Malhotra, CNA Luxury, 11 Feb 2023Â
Cape Wine 2022 Shows SA Wine is on the Up
Velvety. Almost impossibly smooth, with a satin sheen of a finish. Fruity, but with an appreciable salinity to the nose....
By Dan Nicholl in winemag.co.za, 17 October 2022Â
Growing Up ‘n Getting Wiser: South Africa in 2022
Makeba sings the joyful Pata Pata in my headphones as the plane banks right and Cape Town swings into view below, suburbs draped around Table Top Mountain...
By Neal Martin. Vinous.com, 29 September 2022 (subscription required)
Cape wine – export or die
What is preoccupying South Africa's liveliest wine producers?
By Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com, 16 July 2022
SA Harvest Report Reveals 'Small but Mighty' 2022 Vintage
According to the annual South African Wine Harvest Report, the country’s 2022 grape crop is smaller than last year, with Stellenbosch proving an exception...
By Sarah Neish, thedrinksbusiness.com, 13 June 2022
Five hot wine tips from the Best Sommelier In The World
Crowned Best Sommelier In The World since 2019, Marc Almert is head sommelier at the Baur Au Lac hotel in Zurich, Switzerland. He tipped offthe drinks businessabout five wine styles currently grabbing his attention...
By Gabriel Stone, thedrinksbusiness.com, 31 May 2022
Inside Africa: Go Behind the Scenes of South African Winemaking
From ducks that forage on unwanted insects to scientists working to eradicate a viral disease, South Africa's world-renowned wine industry is undergoing a transformation where challenges are being met with innovative approaches and inventive solutions...
From CNN, 26 May 2022
How 'New World' Pinot Noirs Turned The Tables on Red Burgundy
By Jancis Robinson, ft.com, 22 January 2022 (subscription required)
The Return of Cinsault: It's All About South Africa
Writing about drinks has taken me all over the world – but few adventures are seared in my memory as vividly as the week I spent in Swartland, South Africa’s red-dust wine wilderness in the Western Cape...Â
By Alice Lascelles, ft.com, 27 October 2021
South Africa's Chenin Blanc Has Gone from Afterthought to World Class
Nearly 60 percent of the world's vineyards devoted to the varietal are in the country...
By Sara L. Schneider, robbreport.com, 11 October 2021
Access To Only the Best SA Wine is Over
Its been an interesting past couple of weeks in the wine trade...
By Greg Sherwood MW, winemag.co.za, 22 September 2021
Tim Atkin MW Reveals South Africa's Best Red Grape
The Master of Wine has unveiled his hotly anticipated 2021 South Africa report, flagging Syrah as being the Cape’s most stand-out grape, and awarding just one wine a perfect 100-point score...
By Sarah Neish, thedrinksbusiness.com, 13 September 2021
Why You Should Buy South African Wine
By Jancis Robinson, ft.com, 10 October 2020 (subsccription required)
New Wave South Africa: Top Wines To Try From SA's Most Exciting Producers
Vibrancy, collaboration and a willingness to experiment are all part of South Africa’s burgeoning premium scene. Chris Wilson meets SA’s new wave winemakers...
By Chris Wilson, decanter.com, 5 September 2019
There's Incredible Value in Quality South African Wine
By Laura Burgess, vinepair.com, 10 February 2019⠀⠀⠀
"Creation Rosé 2022 Cape South Coast"
By Julia Harding MW. jancisrobinson.com, 31 March 2023
"Wines That Stop You in Your Tracks "(Porseleinberg)
By Harry Eyres. timatkin.com, 9 November 2022.
"Spier wins four double golds at the 2022 Veritas Awards"
In news24.com, 14 October 2022.
"Growing Up n' Getting Wiser: South Africa in 2022" Naude Langpad 2021
By Neal Martin. Vinous.com, 29 September 2022 (subscription required).
"Mullineux Family Wines - Tasting Their New Red Single Terroir 2019 Releases"
By Greg Sherwood MW, gregsherwood.com, 9 March 2022.
"Mullineux Family Wines - Tasting Their New White Single Terroir 2020 Releases"
By Greg Sherwood MW, gregsherwood.com, 3 February 2022.
"John Seccombe Fast Establishing His Thorne & Daughters Rocking Horse White Blend as One of the Best in the Cape"
By Greg Sherwood MW, gregsherwood.com, 30 December 2021.
"South Africa: 2021 New Releases from The Cape"
By Neal Martin, vinous.com, 30 November 2021.
"Peter-Allan Finlayson Continues to Innovate"
By Greg Sherwood MW, gregsherwood.com, 16 November 2021.
"Naude Family Wines Releases The Follow-Up Vintage of The Ground-Breaking Langpad Colombard"
By Greg Sherwood MW, gregsherwood.com, 8 November 2021.
"Bellingham, Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc"
By Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com, 1 October 2021.Â
"Revisiting The Iconic Naude Family Wines Old Vine Series Chenin Blanc 2016"
By Greg Sherwood MW, gregsherwood.com, 21 January 2021.
"One From the Cellar - Tasting the Iconic Porseleinberg Syrah 2016 from the Swartland".
By Greg Sherwood MW. gregsherwoodmw.com, 25 July 2020.
"More Heart"
By Dalene Fourie, port2port.wine, 3 July 2019 (subscription required).
"Tasting the Gabrielskloof Landscape Series Cabernet Franc 2017"
By Greg Sherwood MW, gregsherwoodmw.com, 28 February 2019.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀