The best South African wines combine the fruit and weight of the New World with the balance, elegance and structure of the old. Many come from vineyards at altitude in the Paarl and Stellenbosch regions, where the more temperate climate provides a long growing season and leads to complex, balanced flavours.

In the beautiful Franschoeck Valley Mark Dendy-Young and his family run a Peteit Ferme a superb restaurant for which they produce most of the wine themselves. Mark’s Sauvignon has won awards at South Africa’s top wine show and we are delighted that he is able to spare us some. In Stellenbosch Fran Botha is determined to show that Chenin Blanc, when handled properly can produce very fine wine. Old Vines Cellars are run and staffed entirely by women, hence the rather tongue-in-cheek name ‘Womans’ Empowerment Winery’. The Chenin/Sauvignon blend is fresh, lively and full of fruit.