Wat is En-Primeur (EP)?

The 2015 edition of Platter’s Guide by Diners Club was launched at Cape Town’s Mount Nelson Hotel 28 October. Over 200 guests were eager to discover which wines achieved five star statuses, as well as to celebrate the white and red wine of the year and the wine estate taking the ultimate accolade as the Platter’s South African winery of the year for 2015.

With the Nederburg Auction and the Cape Winemakers Guild Auction in the last couple of months showing some wonderful prices realised for South African wines, here is a look at the five most expensive South African wines available in the UK. Some of us mere mortals might just be able to dream of sipping a glass or two…

OVER THE BARREL | South African Rieslings are often noted for their characteristic lime aroma and taste. Try with grilled garlic chicken.

OVER THE BARREL | Viognier is an aromatic white grape variety known for producing textured white wines with prominent stone-fruit flavours. Aroma wise, these wines can be very floral, showing lavender like aromas that are quite honeyed in sweeter examples.

The new John Platter Wine Guide for 2014 (‘aquamarine edition’) will be released on Friday 8 November with a couple of great additions to the already packed annual book on SA wines.

As the cold is starting to enter our lives once again, people tend to go for a lovely rich red wine to warm up with. But the cold is not necessarily a reason to stay away from white wines…..

At the record-breaking 29th Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction in South Africa, the biggest foreign buyer was the United Kingdom.

Due to an age-old tradition, South African méthode cap classique is truly a champagne…in all but name.

A Cape Blend is a blended red wine from South Africa consisting of some Pinotage. The varieties that can be added to this blend vary greatly and this might be a hindrance in the promotion of this South African specific blend

We were lucky enough to be one of the first to taste South African wine estate Klein Constantia’s new 2008 Vin de Constance alongside the 2007 vintage ahead of its release in the UK today . Our verdict? ‘Simply wonderful’.

As an avid fan of old SA wines I was exceptionally excited to get an invite to “a Landmark” vertical (various different vintages) tasting of the range of wines from Kanonkop held at the Travellers Club on Pall Mall

Over the Barrel | In South Africa, Pinot Grigios are lighter bodied with a crisp, refreshing taste of subtropical and stone fruit with some spicy notes.

OVER THE BARREL | Syrah and Shiraz are eternally popular in South Africa and as South African exports due to the excellent pairing they make with favourite South African dishes like bredies, stews and braai meat.

The robust Pinotage, South Africa’s signature cultivar, combines a robust smoky/earthy flavour with tropical fruit. Perfect for winter!

OVER THE BARREL | Pinot Noir originates from Burgundy & Champagne in France. In South Africa it is a light to medium bodied red wine depending on the degree of wood maturation. It’s more of a “feminine” red wine as opposed to the more “masculine” Cabernet Sauvignon.

Chardonnay is an outstanding grape variety used in the famous white wines of Burgundy in France. They are usually wooded, full bodied and long lasting. Because of the high fruit acids in Chardonnay these wines have the potential to age very well.

OVER THE BARREL | Four South African Cabernet Sauvignons to enjoy

Originally from the Loire Valley and Bordeaux in France, Sauvignon Blanc usually makes light to medium bodied and dry wines with a racy finish.