Taste Of South Africa

The so-called "New Wave" producers now have a decade's worth of wines under their belt. Established names are reinventing themselves. Sit still, you'll get left behind. Today's frontrunners can be caught up tomorrow. Young Turks, the ink barely dry on their exam papers, are doing their own thing. Winemakers have become more focused upon vineyard site and viticulture knowhow, instead of winery techniques and branding. It's not necessarily going to be an easy ride - something I hope is clear in my report. But the next chapter will certainly be overflowing with world-class wines. NEAL MARTIN, Vinous.com

There are some seismic shifts happening in South African wine. While the established beacons for quality continue to produce excellent wines, there are a slew of new, young, hungry, talented and informed producers crafting incredible wines of real authenticity and character. A recent tasting of South African wines, most of which were unknown to us, was an incredible eye-opener. Not only were these wines of excellent quality, they also delivered a palpable purity and sense of place.

While chenin blanc has long been the most identifiable export for South African, there are now a wealth of wines that showcase a wide range of varieties with aplomb. Sauvignon blanc that nods to Pouilly Fume, perfumed and pliable cinsault, sinewy syrah and plenty more. Chenin blanc is still a star too with more leaning into less oaked, worked styles and more towards more mineral laden wines with textural nuance.

With that all said we thought it was time to take a temperature check of South African wines with a Saturday tasting filled with the best examples that are arriving onto our shores.