One could say that there are two kinds of red wine: single varieties and blends. (Please do not quote this at restaurants!) And most would agree that the art of blending is truly that, an art form. So much goes into the production, from the growing of grapes and the selection of what will make up the blend, through to the oak choice and resulting nuances. You can't add flavour, but you can add all the different characteristics from the components of a blend.

Some feel that it is a commitment to the region - that wines should express where they come from - connecting with the geography and matching this to the most favourable growing conditions for the grapes that make up a blend. Others have felt that in the sheer magnitude of the production process, the subject of regionality may be lost. But, when all is said and done, by virtue of the intricate process involved, we're led to the quality that such extensive care and effort achieves.

The result is often a premium price range with some of the most expensive wines seen within a category. On a global scale, SA's wines certainly represent great value for money. Higher prices, however, can also relate to international market positioning, to ensure that SA wines are able to compete against other premium offerings in the category.

Bordeaux-style blends have risen in popularity the world over, not least of which is SA. In this issue we look closely at two 5-Star rated wines, where artful blending has been achieved. More recently, winemakers are well-travelled and most have experience working in other wine-producing regions around the world. They bring back the passion of experience and add the requisite local flair, making it exciting to watch the development. Above all, the ultimate objective comes back to simply making great wine where the flavour will go on and on, and it will speak of its complex journey. If we look at the number of Wine of Origin certifications, and the rise in exports to now millions of cases, quality and popularity is clearly on the rise.

As we've learnt, participation in the premier league requires considerable practise. Although we may lag some centuries behind the French, the many distinguished wines coming through from specific vineyards point to the fact that we are well on our way to gaining a veritable South African identity. Once again returning to this issue of Old and New World distinctions, it's worth remembering that the first wine was made in SA in the 1600s, and so essentially we are one of the oldest New World wine nations around - another allusion to a beautiful blend.

While this is probably practised by many producers, one such example of blending old and new that springs to mind is the recent launch of the new Grand Constance natural sweet from Groot Constantia, the latest vintage in a new bottle, but with a nod to the old shape, and packaged in beautiful boxes made from oak barrels and staves from the cellar.

WINE magazine will be 17 years old in October, and the team has been hard at work considering the best that we have to offer, reflecting on the merits of the past along with introducing some new elements, and bringing your WINE magazine forward into the future. I urge you to look out for the October issue when we present you with an updated look and feel. Through research and some new energy, we're highlighting the content we've found to be of the most value to readers, and really hope you enjoy it as much as we have enjoyed the process. High on the recent wave of celebration, we are doing just that - celebrating what has gone into a great blend.