Sauvignon tends to best express its varietal characteristics when grown in cool sites. So rather than use his estate grown grapes for KC, winemaker Adam Mason headed to South Africa’s most southerly coastal regions, Elgin, Elim and Walker Bay, where temperatures during the Summer months are the coolest anywhere in the Cape. Adam used to help Jean-Marc Sauboua make our Trophy-winning Bordeaux Sauvignons a decade or so ago, so he really is expert at bringing out that perfect balance of tropical fruit and grassy freshness. KC has pungent gooseberry, asparagus and tropical notes (typical for this grape) countered by a bracing sea spray complexity. Calls for grilled fish with a fruity salsa, chilli prawns or chicken and pineapple kebabs.

The fruit for this wine was picked early to retain a good level of lemon acidity. Winemaker Kobus strives to make this wine in as ‘natural’ and uncomplicated way as possible. It is an elegant, fruity Chardonnay with fresh green apple flavours. The palate is full-bodied and complemented with a lingering nutty aftertaste.

Ken Forrester Wines is to South African Chenin Blanc what Cloudy Bay is to New Zealand Sauvignon: widely regarded as the best. Ken started his career in the hotel industry. By 1993, he and his wife Teresa had achieved their dream of buying a historic vineyard in Stellenbosch, complete with a 17th-century Cape Dutch homestead. Teresa took on the task of restoring the house while Ken and top winemaker Martin Meinert set their sights on making the world’s finest Chenins. Ken’s wines have won hundreds of awards and been poured at prestigious events including the opening of the Scottish Parliament and Nelson Mandela’s 85th birthday. Wonderfully rich and intense yet mouthwateringly fresh. Serve with grilled chicken, swordfish or roast pork.

Charles Back is one of the true winemaking heroes of South Africa. He was even voted the second most influential person in the South African wine industry … after Nelson Mandela! Here Charles turns his attention to South Africa’s most famed red grape – Pinotage. In creating this rose, he’s made an innovative wine, whilst flying the flag for FairTrade. Six Hats seeks to highlight the various roles of everyone involved in wine farming. The hats indicate partnership, change, potential, equity, dignity and sustainability – the cornerstones of the Back team philosophy. The result is stunning, showing all the firm fruit of this hearty grape variety but with beautiful, delicate finesse. Don’t miss your chance to try something unique!

The Backsberg Estates reliable everyday drinking wine. Ripe berry and floral aromas with a soft, fruity taste. Light and easy drinking, enjoy slightly chilled.

Bruce Jack is one of the most contagiously enthusiastic winemakers you’ll ever meet. He was declared South Africa’s ‘Winemaker of the Year 2009′ and his cellar, based in a former dynamite factory just 400 metres from the sea, scooped ‘Winery of the Year’ in 2008. Rules don’t sit happily with Bruce, so no surprise here that he’s blending a whole menage of grapes – Bordeaux varieties with the Rhone’s Syrah and South Africa’s very own Pinotage – to make a most unique, big flavour statement wine! Thanks to Bruce’s 100%-gravity-fed winery, the wine has a wonderfully silky texture. This red is best with food, so crack open a bottle with a large steak, a hearty stew, tomato and garlic sauced pasta, or a moussaka-style dish.

A cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, Pinotage is unique to South Africa, but was neglected in favour of international stars until recently. Today, however, it is “the talk of the party” (Tim Atkin MW). Drakenskloof was made by Paarl born Anton Swarts at one of South Africa’s top award winning wineries, Spier, founded in 1692 near Stellenbosch. The estate not only boasts a rich wine heritage, but within the domaine there is also a hotel, restaurant and cheetah reserve! Anton aged the wine in a combination of American and French oak, which has allowed gently smoky tannins to support the ripe berry flavours. Soft enough to be enjoyed on its own, this red is versatile with food, too – lamb or pork and chorizo casserole perhaps.

This wine is a reflection of Danie de Wet’s personal taste combining great depth and length of flavour with elegance and finesse. An in depth knowledge of his specific vineyard plots, allows him, in conjunction with barrel selection, to craft one of the best Chardonnays made in South Africa. Full spectrum of Chardonnay flavours explode in the mouth, but are tempered with fresh zingy lime acidity and a creamy textured finish.

A clever blend of the classic Cabernet Sauvignon from Bordeaux with one of the traditional Port grapes. Lots of attractive fruit flavours on the nose which also carries through onto the palate with an additional hint of spiciness. Well balanced with a touch of toastiness and lingering after taste, this has smooth mid weight fruit and is a cracking example of a simple Cape Red wine.