It’s harvest time in South Africa and the winemakers are busy in the vineyards. This annual event might not be happening if it wasn’t for Jan van Riebeeck of the Dutch East India Company, who landed at Table Bay on April 6, 1652. As well as establishing a pitstop for Dutch ships sailing east he planted vines, giving rise to nearly four centuries of winemaking on some of the oldest soils in the world.
Fast forward to 2026 and we’re one of the largest markets for South African wine, importing more than 100 million bottles a year. Scan the supermarket aisles or the shelves in your local fine wine merchant and you can see why. We Brits love a bargain and when it comes to good value, it’s hard to overlook South Africa. From the big brands at under £10 to more bespoke bottles that deliver real character, South Africa excels.
The whites are dominated by the big three — chenin blanc, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc — that marry the generous tropical fruit you find in the southern hemisphere with that bracing acidity more familiar with European styles. Where the canny buyer can hoover up bargains is when a top producer such as Kanonkop, Boekenhoutskloof or Cape Point produces a good-value brand for the supermarkets. The Co-op’s limey, tangy Fairtrade 2024 Cape Point Sauvignon Semillon is a great example (£8.65).
Reds include syrah, pinot noir and merlot but it’s cabernet sauvignon and pinotage that really steal the headlines, the latter enjoying a renaissance as it shifts in style from the full-bodied reds of a decade ago to those emphasising more fruit and finesse. These are an ideal foil to the meaty dishes we crave at this time of year.
• Six hearty red wines for winter for under £25
2024 The Society’s South African Chenin Blanc (13%)
The Wine Society, £8.95
This is a characterful chenin with citrus notes, refreshing acidity and a good depth of flavour.
2024 Amandla Shiraz Zinfandel (14%)
Waitrose, £7.50 (down from £10)
A juicy, weighty red with warming wintry notes of blackberry and plum. Pair with red meats.
2024 Cape Quarter Boekenhoutskloof Bordeaux Blend (14%)
M&S, £12
This has layers of complex dark fruit, with a suggestion of dried tobacco. Ideal for steak night.
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2023 Kanonkop Kadette Cape Blend (14%)
Tesco, £13.50
Kanonkop is a top estate and its pinotage-dominant Kadette blend has sumptuous cherry, plum and a soft, silky finish.
2023 Vergelegen Millrace Sauvignon Blanc (13.5%)
Majestic, £15
This is a vibrant, full-bodied sauvignon with gooseberry, tropical fruit, green pepper and lime.
2023 Lievland Bush Vine Pinotage (13.5%)
Hic! Wine Merchants, £16
An elegant, rich pinotage with plenty of dark fruit. The palate is supple and juicy, with a lengthy finish.
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Will’s pick from The Sunday Times Wine Club
2023 Artumes Bianco di Toscana Tenuta di Artimino
Italy (12.5%) £16.99
Here’s a lovely white with the scent of a Tuscan garden. Floral notes combine with rich almond nuttiness and an intense herbal streak on the finish. Summer in a glass.
Dining and Cooking