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.

Pinotage, a crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsault, is seen as South Africa’s unique wine but only forms a very small percentage of the vineyard area. Danie Steytler of Kaapzicht in Stellenbosch is considered to be one of the best Pinotage in the country, making wine with ripeness, fruit and depth. His other reds show just the same characteristics. Veenwouden is a more recent creation, founded in 1988 and owned by opera singer Deon van der Walt with the wine made by Deon’s brother Marcel. Great care is taken and their Classic, a Bordeaux blend, has won many awards.