Best Value Wine Guide 2012

Articles and Directories

• Best Value Awards
• Best Value Cellar Overall
• Best Value Cellar Directory
• Best Value in Numbers
• Best Value Wine Guide 2011

Best Value Wines

• Best Value Whites
• Best Value Rosé
• Best Value Reds
• Best Value Port and Sherry
• Best Value Dessert and Sparkling Wines

Best Value Dessert and Sparkling Wines

The judges use a standard 20-point scoring system: 5 stars awarded for a score of 18 or more, 41⁄2 for 17 and 4 stars for a score of 16, 31⁄2 for 15.5 points, 3 stars for 15 out of 20 and 21⁄2 for 14.5 points. Wines rated lower than 21⁄2 stars were not eligible for inclusion in the 2012 Best Value Wine Guide, with the judges endeavouring to help consumers steer clear of plain ordinary wines in addition to those that are faulty or possibly even unpleasant.

	Superlative wine, top class; a masterpiece
	Excellent, wine of distinction (41⁄2 Stars = on the cusp of 5 Stars)
	Good (3 Stars) to very good (31⁄2 Stars). Fine character and style.
	Average, appealing
	Acceptable, ordinary
	Half a star, as in 21⁄2 Stars, 31⁄2 Stars, 41⁄2 Stars

Thanks to South Africa’s sunny climes this category never fails to produce a slew of top-notch wines. Ripe, rich and sweet, the range encompasses white and red Muscadels (Muscat de Frontignan), Hanepoots (Muscat de Alexandrie) and Jerepigo, a very sweet version of both. These wines are fortified, which means alcohol was added to a level between 15.5% and 22% (the normal wine range is 12.5% to 14.5%) to preserve them, meaning they have excellent ageing potential. Below are 15 of the top Best Value desserts and sparkling wines of 2012, 11 of which were awarded the highest accolade (V19 or V20) for their combined high quality score and affordable price.

125 desert and sparkling wines were entered and 81 judged for the Best Value Wine Guide 2012. Of these, 52 made the grade and have been featured in the guide. To see all finalists buy the book now.

DESSERTS

De Wet Cellar Red Muskadel 2010
R27.50		V20
There are 60 members at this, the oldest winery in Worcester. Many have delivered their grapes for generations – and Muscadel has a special place in the winery’s range. Jasmine, muscat and fynbos aromatics with a sweet jasmine, syrup and canned pineapple flavour on the palate. It has a delicious tension between sweet and sour with a long aftertaste.
Aan de Doorns Muscat D’Alexandrie 2010
R32.00		V20
Not the first Value Award Aan de Doorns has achieved in the guide... see also Sauvignon Blanc, Blanc de Noir and Port. Which demonstrates wonderful versatility and a good pricing/quality ratio. Ginger mint and jasmine on the nose with barley sugar and fynbos flavours in the mouth. Rich and sweet but well balanced. It finishes dry and clean.
Badsberg Hanepoot Jerepigo 2010
R40.00		V20
One of the nine wines which rated 4 stars in the guide from a former co-operative winery in the Breedekloof, a hop, skip and mountain-bike ride from the N1 highway. Very grapey on the nose and palate with a floral muskiness. Sweet and rich as befits a Hanepoot Jerepigo, it is perfect on a cold winter’s night or ideal over crushed ice in summer.
Du Toitskloof Cellar Hanepoot Jerepigo 2010
R42.00		V19
Another of the many wines which contributed to Du Toitskloof being adjudged best producer overall. Sultana aromas make way for sweet, weighty golden fruit in the mouth. Like a rich gooseberry fool, wrote one taster. Comfy duvets, wet puppy kisses and happy times, wrote another... the third judge stuck to the rules and said it was rich and textured, ripe and with soft acidity.
Villiersdorp Cellar Treintjiewyn Hanepoot Jerepigo NV
R26.50		V19
Villiersdorp is on the banks of the Theewaterskloof dam, a predominantly fruit-growing area. The local winery’s Hanepoot Jerepigo is a light-bodied sweet mouthful of sunshine. From its floral fragrance to its intriguing nutty grapiness, it’s full of appeal. Rich and ripe with sundried peach flavours all the way to its glucosal finish.

UNFORTIFIED DESSERTS

Orange River Cellars Natural Sweet Rosé 2011
R22.55		V20
There’s a colourful hint of the coppery, rusty-red hue of the Kalahari sand dunes on this wine. An appropriate association given that these dunes can be found in the vicinity of Upington, where the headquarters of this massive winery (with five separate cellars!) is located. Allied to that colour is sweet, abundantly ripe maraschino cherries and cranberry fruit galore. Then a bit of lively acid kicks in to prevent that sweetness from becoming syrupy or cloying. A really sexy, succulent little wine, wrote one taster.
Bovlei Cellar Special Late Harvest 2011
R26.00		V20
Bovlei winery is the last stop as you leave Wellington and head up the Bains Kloof Pass. it used to be a serious trek so this was the last chance to stock up for the journey up to the Bokkeveld. Muscat, roses and litchis on the nose and palate. Sweetly delicious and undemanding. It’s comforting in its drinkability and fruitiness. Buy and enjoy – don’t analyse it.
Four Cousins Natural Sweet White NV
R42.00		V20
The younger generation of retiefs of Van Loveren in Robertson have an undisputed winner on their hands in this wine. It is charming in its simplicity and sweet appeal. The nose is full of floral muscat and rose petal whiffs while the flavours in the mouth are like a fruit bomb: sundried mango and pineapple with the same flowery generosity. The bright acidity counteracts the ripe sweetness and makes it finish dry and clean, not sticky and cloying.
Saint Anna Natural Sweet NV
R22.33		V19
The saints range belongs to the large DGB wine company based in Wellington but sourcing fruit from all across the winelands. The good news is that the alcohol is a low 8% – so it’s virtually a diet wine... A blend of Chenin Blanc and Gewürztraminer the wine shows vibrant nectarine and apricot from the former and lovely floral notes from the latter. It’s sweet but also fresh with a lovely ripe raisin and light biscuit flavour. Delicious to the end, thank the saints...
Four Cousins Light Natural Sweet Rosé
R25.00		V18
These cousins are converting people to wine by the hundred. And easy to see why when you have such delicious appeal – from pale pink colour to the heady aromatics and yummy flavours: rose petals, jasmine and Kakamas peaches. So girly and so pretty, wrote one taster. Tangy and stimulating.

SPARKLING

CapeSecco Blanc
R27.00		V20
Another wine which contributed to Du Toitskloof winery taking top honours in the Best Value competition. Both this and the next wine demonstrate the versatility of this cellar – able to produce whites, reds, bubblies and even fortified and dessert wines! There’s a delightfully abundant rose petal and litchi nose which is so appealing. In the mouth the flavours range from muscat to apricot and honey but without being sweetly cloying – nice and zesty and crisp to the finish. Perfect for any party or celebration!
CapeSecco Rosé
R27.00		V20
What’s not to love about a bubbly that looks as gorgeous as this – beautiful copper and cranberry. Aromas of Turkish delight and flowers burst with the vibrant bubbles on the nose. The palate is full of dry cranberry flavour with some surprising body and heft with a chalky grip also apparent. There is ample interest all the way to the end. This is not a flash-in-the-pan number. It’ll be loved by many. From Du Toitskloof.
Koelenhof Pinotage Rosé Vin Sec 2010
R32.00		V17
Instant appeal thanks to its copper colour. Sweet ripe mouthful of glacé fruit – all honey, mulberry and plum. Sweetness is balanced by light acidity. For fans of less dry bubbles.
Merwida Cuvée Brut Sauvignon Blanc 2011
R38.00		V17
Bold floral perfume and konfyt aromas with medium-sized bubbles. Lots of mango, melon and apricot flavours dance in the frothy mouth. Some tangy zip too. Light and enjoyable.
Jason’s Hill Brut Rosé 2010
R34.00		V16
Appealing copper raspberry hue. A light raspberry and fynbos bouquet which then makes way for a bubbly explosion of strawberry and cranberry tangy flavour. Dry. Commercial and very quaffable.