In times of economic turmoil there is good news if you follow South Africa’s finest. Not only are they tasting particularly well, with several new additions to the range, but the rand has weakened alongside sterling, making them very good value.

You will find the cheaper wines here on excellent form highlighted by several journalists this year, and now joined by the splendid Catherine Marshall and Paul Cluver mid-range selections, while at the top end, Galpin Peak’s Pinot Noir has gained iconic status in recent times.

The winelands are found in the hinterland of the Cape of Good Hope, the nearest major area to the actual cape being Constantia where the Jooste family at Klein Constantia have revived the once legendary Vin de Constance. Stellenbosch starts around the bay, north of Somerset West, and one of the first estates is beautiful Meerlust - in the Myburgh family since 1756 - where sea breezes lead to slower ripening of grapes.

Danie Steytler at Kaapzicht in the nearby Bottelary Hills, shows a touch of magic - both in his Shiraz and Pinotage. You will struggle to get better Chenin Blanc than that from the charismatic mother-and-daughter team, Fran Potgieter and Irina Von Holdt at Old Vines Cellars (Spring Valley).

Over the hill in the popular town of Franschhoek, the excellent Franschhoek Cellar co-operative has become an important supplier under the Freedom Cross label. Above the town, and with stupendous views, you’ll find La Petite Ferme, a superb restaurant which produces its own wines. We take all the gooseberry-flavoured Sauvignon that they can spare for Britain! A spectacular drive over the pass and down through the apple growing area of Elgin, eventually brings you back to the coast at Hermanus where Peter Finlayson at Bouchard Finlayson makes some particularly fine, Burgundy-inspired wines. Further afield in Swartland, Allesverloren (prettily named when you know it is pronounced ‘Alice- floren!’) makes lovely soft, cedary wines that recall Cape reds of old. From Robertson, you will find the Wide River wines to be superb value for money.

James Tanner