5 wines that should be in your cellar this summer

Didn’t get tickets to this year’s Swartland Revolution? Enjoy a taste of South Africa’s sexiest wine region with these five bottles…

AA Badenhorst Family Wines

Despite – or perhaps because of – his piratical appearance, Adi Badenhorst is one of the leading lights of the Swartland Revolution. On his Paardeberg farm Kalmoesfontein, he dabbles in everything from dry tonic to herb-infused ‘Caperitif’ vermouth, but it’s his wines that have won acclaim worldwide.

The AA Badenhorst red and white blends are certainly superb, but his everyday quaffers are what should fill your cellar this summer. The Secateurs Chenin Blanc scored four stars in the latest Platter’s Guide, and offers some of the best value in the Swartland.

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Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines

There’s great value to be found in the White Blend from Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines too, albeit at a higher price. Winemaker Andrea Mullineux chose specific vineyards according to their soil type – shale and schist on the Kasteelberg, decomposed granite on the Paardeberg – to select the perfect blocks of Chenin Blanc, Clairette Blanche and Viognier for this top-rated blend.

Sadie Family Vineyards

Eben Sadie is another winemaker passionate about seeking out unusual vineyards. The Palladius and Columella from Sadie Family Vineyards are world-class white and red blends, but his particular passion is identifying and rescuing – through winemaking – the old bush vine vineyards of the region.

These are celebrated in his Old Vine Series, which includes the Soldaat Grenache from Piekenierskloof and the Skurfberg Chenin Blanc from the Olifants River valley. However, it’s the Pofadder Cinsault that is most worthy of a tasting. The most challenging in the range to make, says Sadie, it’s an elegant example of a grape rarely bottled on its own.

Hughes Family Vineyards

The Nativo Red Blend from Hughes Family Vineyards will be more familiar to wine-lovers; a delicious blend driven by Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvèdre. Sourced from dryland organic vineyards above Malmesbury, it’s a perfect example of what the Swartland can produce.

Annex Kloof Wines

As are the wines from Annex Kloof. Winemaker Hugo Basson is perhaps most famous for his Malbec, but his Rhône-style wines are also worth exploring. The Tulu is another classic blend of Shiraz, Mourvèdre and Grenache, combining dark berries with plenty of spice. Drink now with red meat dishes, or cellar until 2020.

This article was originally published in Sunday Times Neighbourhood: Cape Town. Visit yourneighbourhood.co.za, like YourNeighbourhoodZA on Facebook and follow YourHoodZA on Twitter