A wine costing R300 can offer better value than one costing R30, so here Allan Mullins limits his choice to affordable wines that over-deliver on price.
WHITES
ALEXANDERFONTEIN SAUVIGNON BLANC 2009
(cellar price: R35)
Huge quantities, top quality, give-away price! From Ormonde Private Cellars in Darling, it regularly outshines far higherpriced wines in competitions.
DU TOITSKLOOF SAUVIGNON BLANC 2009
(cellar price: R28)
Worcester winery, Du Toitskloof, makes this in a riper style with attractive guava and melon flavours. Every bargain hunter’s dream.
SIMONSIG CHENIN BLANC 2009
(cellar price: R32)
Made in vast quantities mainly from Simonsig’s 20-plus year-old vines, this crowd pleaser of note for over 40 years is fresh and lively with ample fruit.
KLEINE ZALZE BUSH VINE CHENIN BLANC 2009
(cellar price: R31)
Winner of Wine Magazine’s 2010 Best Value Award, this unwooded wine has great body and complexity from extended lees contact.
ARNISTON BAY CHENIN BLANC/CHARDONNAY 2009 (retail price: R27)
A light, crisp quaffer with citrus charm, popular both here and on the export market.
REDS
FANTAIL MERLOT 2008 (MORGENHOF ESTATE)
(cellar price: R48)
Charming label and an excellent wine from the Merlot specialists, Morgenhof. With plums, red cherry and bright fruit on the nose and juicy palate, this second label drinks like a first.
ZONDERNAAM SHIRAZ 2007 (TOKARA)
(cellar price: R65)
Tokara’s second range, Zondernaam, combines class and value. Rhône varieties – Shiraz, Mourvedre and Grenache – yield peppery spiciness and dark red fruit.
WOOLWORTHS JUICY RED NON-VINTAGE (WAMAKERSVALLEI WINERY)
(retail price: R28.95)
A most reliable blend that is consistently as juicy and succulent as the name suggests. The rounded finish and easy drinkability makes it a wine for any occasion.
KEN FORRESTER PETIT CABERNET SAUVIGNON/MERLOT 2008
(cellar price: R33)
A newcomer to ever-inventive Ken Forrester’s "Petit" range of wines. The Merlot softens the Cabernet, making this a most agreeable, affordable companion to meat dishes.