Why it’s time to stop under-estimating South African wine

Where sustainability meets serious winemaking: Journey’s End in Stellenbosch proves South Africa’s fine wine credentials - (Journey's End)

Ask the average British wine drinker what they think of South African wine and the response is likely to fall into one of two camps: it’s either a serviceable supermarket staple or, at best, a decent-value alternative to a French classic. Fine wine? Not quite. At least, that’s the perception – but it’s also completely wrong.

For centuries, South African wine has occupied a curious space in the global market. It has history – some of the oldest winemaking traditions in the New World. It has terroir – arguably some of the most diverse and exciting in the world. And it has winemakers producing wines that can compete with and in some cases surpass, those of Burgundy, Bordeaux and Champagne. Yet, despite all this, South African wine has struggled to shake off its reputation as a budget option rather than a fine wine destination.