South Africa in focus – Jancis Robinson’s report

Report on white, red and sparkling wines 2024

Jancis Robinson and her team have taken a detailed look at South Africa’s wines in the current vintage reports. The fascinating stories of the winemakers and the impressive quality of the wines make these articles a fascinating read every year. We would like to share some of the highlights with you.

White wines and the success story of Kiara Scott Farmer

In the report, Jancis’ colleague Tamlyn Currin describes her encounter with Kiara Scott Farmer, a young, talented winemaker who has already made it to head winemaker at Brookdale Winery at the age of 26. Tam writes: ‘Her smile could connect the poles and melt glaciers.’ But it wasn’t just her personality that impressed – her wines proved that she is one of South Africa’s most promising winemakers.

Scott Farmer comes from Mitchells Plain, a township, and describes her home as a ‘ghetto’. Despite these difficult circumstances, she found her way into the wine world, studied at the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute and was supported by the renowned winemaker Duncan Savage. Her wines exude freshness, energy and craftsmanship – a clear indication of her determination and talent.

Jancis Robinson recommends discovering Brookdale wines now, while they are still affordable. They are not only a pleasure to drink, but also an expression of an impressive winemaker’s personality.

Red wines – honesty and elegance

South Africa’s red wines are characterised by their freshness, balance and moderate alcohol content. While wines from other regions often appear heavy and high in alcohol, South African red wines are lively and harmonious. Particularly noteworthy is the openness of the winemakers, who speak without marketing language about challenges such as difficult vintages or the need for acidity adjustments.

Tam describes this honesty as ‘disarming and wonderful’ and emphasises the fine tannin structure that gives the wines complexity and elegance. The moderate acidity also gives them freshness and makes them pleasant to drink.

Cap Classique – Sparkling wines for the festive season

The Cap Classique sparkling wines, which are produced using the traditional method of bottle fermentation, are a particular highlight. Tam writes that they offer a wide range – from light, fresh wines to complex, champagne-like drops. They are not only a first-class choice for the festive season, but also impress with their often surprisingly good price-performance ratio.

Our conclusion

The reports by Jancis Robinson and her team show how South Africa has developed into one of the most exciting wine countries in the world. The wines impress with their quality and their stories – whether white, red or sparkling. We invite you to discover these recommendations and be inspired by the diversity and elegance of South African wines.