South Africa, with its amazing range of climates and soils and some of the world’s most dynamic and talented winemakers, is arguably the most exciting wine-producing country on the planet.
The quality of South Africa’s fine wines has been recognised by wine critics and awards panels as reaching new heights. This is being driven by a new and younger generation of winemakers which has travelled the world, understands what it takes to compete in international markets and is far less constrained by tradition. Whereas historically the most important wine regions in South Africa, dating back centuries, were Stellenbosch and Constantia, many of the most ground-breaking wines in recent years have been crafted by this next generation in previously unheralded regions, such as Swartland (to the north of Cape Town) and Elgin (to the south-east).
This wine revolution has been underpinned by a greater understanding of terroir and the importance of specific regionality in the cultivation of key grape varietals, such as Rhone varietals in the Swartland and cooler climate cultivars in Elgin. This compares with planting “anything and everything everywhere” as South African winemakers may sometimes have been guilty of in the past. Many of the wines produced as part of this revolution have received outstanding critical reviews. South Africa’s authoritative Platters Wine Guide awarded 5 Stars (its highest rating) to two of the wines in this tasting, and Tim Atkin MW ranked the Spioenkop Riesling 2017 as the “best Riesling in South Africa”.
We are delighted to welcome back to the Society Greg Sherwood MW, one of only five South Africans ever to achieve MW status and a recognised authority on the wines of South Africa. Greg has drawn on his extensive specialist knowledge of the wines and wine-makers to personally select a stellar line-up comprising the following eight wines:
· JC Wickens Swerwer Tiernes Single Vineyard Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2021, Swartland
· Brookdale Estate Sixteen Field Blend White 2022, Paarl
· Draaiboek Wines Kinkel Chardonnay 2022, Elgin
· Spioenkop Riesling 2017, Elgin
· Spioenkop Pinot Noir 2017, Elgin
· Naude Werfdans Old Vine Cinsault 2017, Darling
· JC Wickens Swerwer Shiraz 2021, Swartland
· Andre Bruyns City on a Hill Exodus Red Rhone Blend 2022, Paardeberg, Swartland
Member tickets are £55 and guest tickets are £65.
If you are using the Society's website to purchase tickets for the first time, you are encouraged to register so as to make future ticket purchases even easier. The Society operates a free seating policy at tastings so if you are coming as a group, please arrive early to ensure seats together.
If you have any questions, please contact the organiser, Duncan Holden, on duncanandliz@btinternet.com.