Raise a glass for Spectacular South African wines | Alistair Gibson

I still visit as often as I can and I consider myself very fortunate to count several wine producers as friends now.

So I have watched and listened with increasing concern at the effect that their lockdown is having on the Cape wine lands.

Lockdown arrived on March 26 and domestic wine sales and wine exports were stopped for several weeks.

Exports have only recently started up again but local sales of wine are still banned.

The revenue loss on exports alone is huge and the lack of local sales is still hurting producers, it is thought that as many as 80 producers could be put out of business.

In response to this the trade body, Wines of South Africa, is encouraging consumers in the UK to drink a bottle or two of South African wine this weekend under the slogan, Spectacular South Africa.

So here are three wines to try, maybe as you stand around a braai – the South African word for barbecue – to support South African wine producers and all the people who work within it.

Andrew and Rosie Gunn have been friends of mine for a number of years and their farm, Iona Estate, is situated in Elgin, one of the coolest vineyard areas in South Africa.

Iona Sauvignon Blanc 2019, Elgin (Hermitage Cellars £12.65) has aromas of lime, grapefruit, gooseberry and some green herbs, the palate is really fresh and vibrant, with great balance and there is almost a hint of ocean minerals before a mouthwatering finish.

It’s just perfect with the current English asparagus season.

Reyneke is one of the very few organic wine farms in the Cape, and Johan Reyneke is seen as something of a guiding light when it comes to both organic and biodynamic farming.

Reyneke Chenin Blanc 2019, Organic, Western Cape (Waitrose £10.99) offers green apples, pear and some tropical notes on the nose, followed by ripe fruit balanced by bright acidity on the palate with a length that very is impressive. This is really good value and would work with some spicy barbecued chicken or garlic prawns.

Aldi Badenhorst is one of the great characters of the South African Wine scene and A A Badenhorst ‘Secateurs’ Cinsault Shiraz Grenache 2018, Swartland (swig.co.uk £13.50) is one of those perfect barbecue reds.

The nose shows bright red fruits with some woody, spicy notes, followed by a fresh palate with ripe red cherries, some crunchy acidity and a nice savoury edge of the finish.

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