Buying guide: Niche Red Varieties

About the category: There are approximately 10 000 vine varieties in the world, so why should winemakers be restricted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz? Moreover, there are many that feel the potential of the South African winelands with its complex geology and climate has yet to be fully explored – it might well turn out that a lesser-known variety matched to the appropriate site produces wine of a quality that exceeds anything we’ve seen to date. Here are how some of the more unusual single-variety wines fared when our panel encountered them recently.

 

Winemakers in South Africa are increasingly experimenting with the more unusual, lesser-known grape varieties. The panel tasted and rated a handful of these.

BARBERA
★ ★ ★ ✩
Altydgedacht 2009 R85

MALBEC
★ ★ ★
Paul Wallace 2006 R65
Maison de Teijger 2008 R65
Druk My Niet Find Art Collection 2009 R125

★ ★ ✩
Neethlingshof 2010 R60
Diemersfontein Carpe Diem 2008 R110

NEBBIOLO
★ ★ ★ ✩
Steenberg 2009 R170

★ ★ ★
Du Toitskloof Dimension 2009 R55

PETIT VERDOT
★ ★ ★
Maison de Teijger 2008 R65
KWV The Mentors 2009 ARP R160

★ ★ ✩
Môreson 2008 R150

SANGIOVESE
★ ★ ★
Koelenhof 2010 R30

★ ★ ✩
Idiom 2007 R150

PRICES: Wines in each quality grouping are listed in order of ascending price – all ex-cellar unless otherwise stipulated.
ARP – Approximate retail price
* – Bottled under screwcap