Grand Wines Collection SA

This collection (referred to as the GWC) was compiled by SAWi, an independent quality wine monitoring authority, applying a system to track the quality performance of wines via blind tasting competition results over a 10 year multi-vintage performance window. The result is a perfect example of the best of the best wines currently produced in South Africa, expressed by way of a classification of such wine cultivars and blends.

The outcome shows that 50% of GWC wines come from only 50 wineries (including the Distell, KWV and DGB Portfolios, with the majority of these having 5 or more wines represented.

Other interesting facts are that Shiraz (57 from 149), Pinotage (36 from 95), Pinot Noir (16 from 43 scored) and Brandies (18 from 43) show the highest conversion rate (around 40% in each case) into the GWC.

On the other hand, Sauvignon Blanc (51 from 216), Chardonnay (42/ 164) and Chenin Blanc (31 from 126) had much more wines with competition results, but on average only 25% made it into the GWC.

Furthermore, relative to the number of wines in the GWC, categories with the most wines scoring above 95% are MCC (90%), Brandy (83%), Cape Rhône Blends (80%), Chardonnay (79%), Pinot Noir (74%), with Cape Red Bordeaux Blends and Pinotage both on 74%.

The success of Cape Rhône Blends together with other Shiraz led Blends further add to the stronghold of Shiraz. This blend has certain potential to excel further with a widespread application coming from various regions. Cape Red Bordeaux Blends (Cabernet or Merlot led) show similar results, creating another stronghold for South Africa.

On the white wine side Chardonnay succeeds in a number of styles, from un-oaked to richly oaked. It remains one of the GWC drivers too, while together with Pinot Noir, being a favourite for blending in Méthode Cap Classic Wines.

Specific categories to be watched in future include Sparkling Wine, Pinot Noir, Cape White Wine Blends, Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc style wines.

• Aaldering Vineyards
• Allee Bleue Wines
• Alvi’s Drift
• Asara
• Bergsig Estate
• Boland Cella
• Bon Courage Estate
• Boplaas
• Boschendal Wines
• Cederberg Private Cellar
• Darling Cellars

• De Grendel Wines
• De Wetshof
• Delaire Graff Estate
• DeMorgenzon
• Diemersdal
• Distell Brandy
• Elgin Vintners
• Escapades
• Flagstone Winery
• Grand Provence
• Groot Constantia Estate

• Hartenberg Estate
• Jordan Wine Estate
• Kleine Zalze Wines
• KWV (excl. brandy)
• La Motte
• Lomond Estate
• Nederburg
• Neethlingshof Estate
• Paul Cluver Estate
• Perdeberg Winery
• Rietvallei Wine Estate

• Saronsberg Cellar
• Simonsig Estate
• Spier
• Strandveld Wines
• Tokara
• Uva Mira
• Waverley Hills Wines
• Wildekrans Estate
• Windmeul Cellar