10 great wines under R100
Raise your glass to the bargain buy – top-quality, but inexpensive wines made exclusively for Woolies by some of SA’s premium producers. These are Allan Mullin’s great-value recommendations.
1. DMZ CHENIN BLANC 2016, R69.95
Prestigious wine farm De Morgenzon is known locally and internationally for producing award-winning Chenin Blanc made from old bush vines planted in cool areas of the Stellenbosch winelands.
TASTING NOTES: Generous and flavourful with apricots, white peach, hints of honey and floral aromas. The palate has a note of Golden Delicious apple, which adds vibrancy to the wine’s complexity.
MATCH WITH: Winemaker Carl van der Merwe suggests panfried yellowtail with a dill-infused cream sauce.
If you like this, also try: Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Chenin Blanc 2016
2. DELAIRE GRAFF WHITE ROCK SAUVIGNON BLANC 2016, R89.95
Winemaker Morné Vrey has plenty to smile about when he speaks about his large range of award-winning wines, particularly his Sauvignon Blanc, made from grapes harvested from premium vineyards.
TASTING NOTES: Expressive varietal aromas of ripe gooseberry amplify firm, luscious summer fruits and underlying notes of grass and green pepper.
MATCH WITH: Smoked salmon salad or seared tuna with sesame seeds.
If you like this, also try: Saronsberg Sauvignon Blanc 2016
3. DELHEIM OAKLEAF WHITE 2016, R69.95
Since 1951, wine legend, “Spatz” Sperling and his family have grown Delheim into a much-loved and highly successful farm. The Oakleaf is an innovative blend of Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling.
TASTING NOTES: The aromatic nose has flavours of apricot, white pear and pineapple, while the mid-palate adds granadilla and gooseberry. The palate has notes of green apple and lime.
MATCH WITH: Fish on the grill, salads, or as an apéritif.
If you like this, also try: Vrede en Lust White Mischief 2016
4. HARTENBERG RESERVE COLLECTION CHARDONNAY 2015, R99.95
The 25 years Carl Schultz has spent making wine at Hartenberg show in this vibrant yet elegant Chardonnay.
TASTING NOTES: Flavours of lemon, lime and hints of vanilla from very gentle oaking. A rounded palate with
an attractive creamy texture.
MATCH WITH: Hartenberg recommends roast chicken with thyme butter, or grilled broccoli with Parmesan shavings.
If you like this, also try: Noble Hill Chardonnay 2016
5. KLEINE ZALZE SHIRAZ 2015, R74.95
Winemakers RJ Botha and Allistair Rimmer scour the vineyards of the Cape for grapes to suit their ranges.
TASTING NOTES: Concentrated dark red fruits are complemented by notes of lavender and white pepper. Full-bodied with palate-pleasing spice and a rich velvety finish.
MATCH WITH: Oxtail, lamb shanks or venison in a Shiraz-based sauce.
If you like this, also try: Bellingham Homestead Shiraz 2015
6. LA MOTTE MERLOT 2015, R79.95
This Merlot is a selection from Bot River, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch.
TASTING NOTES: Mulberry with hints of redcurrant and cherry. A juicy, fruity palate with spicy oakiness.
MATCH WITH: Winemaker Edmund Terblanche recommends a beef burger with caramelised onion sauce, or oxtail with plenty of mushrooms.
If you like this, also try: Boschendal 1685 Merlot 2015.
7. DIEMERSDAL RESERVE COLLECTION MERLOT-MALBEC 2015, R79.95
Merlot and Malbec are regular components of Bordeaux-style blends, but the two are seldom blended together on their own.
In this inspired blend, crowd-pleasing Merlot combines seamlessly with rising star Malbec.
TASTING NOTES:The Merlot is soft and luscious, given further structure, depth and colour by the Malbec. The red berry and ripe plum flavours are lifted by spicy notes.
MATCH WITH: Poultry or meat with light-to medium-spiced sauces.
If you like this, also try: Eikendal Charisma 2015
8. BEYERSKLOOF RESERVE COLLECTION PINOTAGE 2015, R74.95
Pinotage wines have had their fair share of critics in the past but wines like this from the home of Pinotage legend Beyers Truter and his son, Anri, are rapidly turning faultfinders into followers.
TASTING NOTES: Grapes from lovely old bush vines result in a typical Pinotage bouquet of plum and dark cherry and a palate that has a fruit-rich entry, a succulent mid-palate and a long, rounded finish.
MATCH WITH: Winemaker Anri Truter recommends Karoo loin chops on the braai.
If you like this, also try: Raka Pinotage 2015
9. WARWICK CAPE LADY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015, R89.95
This wine is similar to the popular Warwick First Lady Cabernet Sauvignon, but is a tad more serious due to longer maturation in French oak barrels.
TASTING NOTES: Blueberries and blackberries, a little chocolate and an overlay of fresh garden herbs. Graceful, yet with distinctive power.
MATCH WITH: Winemaker Nic van Aarde: “Aged grass-fed rib eye steak or rosemary- and lemon-marinated lamb chops – both done on the braai.”
If you like this, also try: Zevenwacht Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
10. VILLIERA BRUT 10 ROSÉ METHODE CAP CLASSIQUE NON-VINTAGE, R94.95
A pink Méthode Cap Classique sparkler from the Grier family of Villiera. Pinotage in the blend gives it a proudly South African touch.
TASTING NOTES: Salmon pink bubbles leaping to the rim, summer strawberry freshness, a joyful burst of bubbles exploding in the mouth.
MATCH WITH: Sunshine, celebrations and oysters.
If you like this, also try: Kleine Zalze Brut Rosé MCC Non-Vintage.
Allan Mullins has selected wines for Woolworths for more than two decades. Find him on Twitter @AllanMullinsSA.
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