”The best kept secret in the wine world right now might just be South Africa,” according to Wine Spectator’s senior editor James Moleworth who is the lead taster on the wines of South Africa.
”The Cape wine industry has been rapidly retooling its wineries and vineyards in recent years, while the country’s best winemakers have gone abroad to gain additional experience. These forces have combined back home, leading to a surge in quality and diversity of South African wine.”
“Today, South African wine is a reflection of its vineyards, offering a dynamic mix of young and old, of lessons learned and promises to come. The result is an array of choices in terms of varietals, styles, and price points that no wine lover should miss.”
Molesworth elaborates ”since my previous report (South Africa’s Momentum – July 31 2014) I have reviewed more than 400 new releases in blind tastings at our New York office. An impressive 90 percent of them earned very good ratings of 85 points or higher on Wine Spectator’s 100 point scale, including nearly 125 wines at 90 or more points. Great values abound this year as well, with more than 160 wines at 85-plus points costing $20 or less a bottle”. (A free alphabetical list of scores and prices is available at www.winespectator.com/061515)
James Moleworth observes ”For pure wine excitement, it’s hard to beat South African right now”.
Courtesy Wine Spectator, June 15, 2015
Their July 2013 edition below devotes 46 pages to in-depth coverage on South African wines, with producer profiles, a tasting report, the ABC’s of South Africa, why its an unrivalled travel destination – with travel recommendations on Cape Town Stellenbsoch, Franschhoek, Paarl and the Swartland that include restaurant reviews. For visitors heading to the Cape get hold of this edition, it’s a gem of information.
For travellers wanting to sample South African food and wine, see our gastronomy tours. If these dates don’t suit your timelines, we can tailor-make a trip.
Sharing ”best kept secrets” is what we love doing! See what some Californian winemakers say