Team WINE on what to drink this season

It is the festive season which means it is time to shelve the worries and bring on the good times. It has been a tough year during which team WINE was hard at work to bring you the latest on the South African wine industry. At last the editorial team gets some time to relax and to reflect on which wines to enjoy when winding down at home after hitting ctrl-alt-delete. With the WINE offices closing between 24 December and 3 January, we comprised a list of wines we think should get you through the holidays. Cheers!

Cathryn Henderson, Publishing Editor:

Name the wines you'll be drinking this holiday?
Sumaridge Sauvignon Blanc 2008; Lynx Blanc de Noir 2009; De Toren Z 2005; Muratie Cape Vintage Port 2007
Wines to open on Christmas?
Villiera dessert wine Inspiration 2006 on crushed ice as a great aperitif; Kleine Zalze Chenin Blanc Vineyard Selection 2008; Herold Pinot Noir 2006
Wines to open on New Year's?
Our current favourite Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel!
Wine of the year? Warwick Trilogy 1998, it's a great example of a Bordeaux blend that had aged well. I also enjoyed the Thelema The Mint 2006 - a combination of freshness and tannins that makes it something quite special, especially as it's from vines around 25 years old.

 

Christian Eedes, Tastings and Content Editor:

Name the wines you'll be drinking this holiday?
Sauvignon Blanc - the perfect way to beat the heat. A few of the examples I like: Van Loveren 2009, Diemersdal Single Vineyard 2009 and Flagstone Free Run 2009.
Wines to open on Christmas?
Boekenhoutskloof Syrah with five or six years of age should go well with the ham and turkey.
Wines to open on New Year's?
Bubbles, obviously. Keep it proudly South African with Teddy Hall Blanc de Blanc 2005.
Wine of the year? Why?
Found a case of Domaine Mathieu Cuvée Marquis Anselme Mathieu 1998 from Châteauneuf-du-Pape in my late dad's cellar. Has proved impossible to resist and shows the way for our red blends...

Jeanri-Tine van Zyl, Journalist and Web Editor:

Name the wines you'll be drinking this holiday?
This year I stocked up on some wines from Steenberg, I absolutely love the Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2008 - the farm's mini Magna Carta. For the rest it is a good selection of Chenin - I envisage the Simonsig Chenin Blanc 2009 to be my main quaffer next to my pool in Bloem this holiday.
Wines to open on Christmas?
For that balmy outdoors Christmas lunch I am taking a bottle of Graham Beck 1994 Magnum Brut. For later in the evening, I've got a late-90s Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon. I might just indulge with a bottle of Heidsieck & Co Champagne as well... but then I won't remember much of the evening.  
Wines to open on New Year's?
Steenberg's 1682 Pinot Noir MCC. It's pink and festive and gorgeous. Maiden released De Grendel Brut 2007 should be a hit in 2010.   
Wine of the year?
I had the Ataraxia Chardonnay 2008 and was immediately "wowed" - peaches, lime and nuts with a creamy mouthfeel. Best served with crayfish and a beautiful view.

The following wines are wines that recently received praise from international wine critic Jancis Robinson. Seek some of these out for special festive days:

The Berrio, The Weathergirl 2008 Elim
Rudi Schultz Syrah 2006 Stellenbosch
Sadie Family, Palladius 2008 Swartland
Quoin Rock Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Cape Agulhas
LOMOND, Pincushion Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Cape Agulhas
De Morgenzon Chenin Blanc 2008 Stellenbosch
Crystallum, Clay Shales Chardonnay 2008 Hemel- en- Aarde Valley
Boekenhoutskloof Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Franschhoek

What will you be drinking this holiday? Post your comments and share in the festive suggestions.