The search for a truly enjoyable red wine

WINE appreciation is becoming an increasingly snobbish pastime as we (yes, I include myself) go all out to find wines which are far removed from the mainstream to impress our friends and fellow wine drinkers.

This wine-one-upmanship has meant that many of us have forgotten the very real pleasure of enjoying a truly superb wine, often international award-winners from producers that for years have been household names.

Perhaps the time has come to revisit old favourites which have been overshadowed by a host of sometimes flashy but usually impressive newcomers.

A while ago I had the pleasure of experiencing the glory of a benchmark wine from Beyerskloof. To be honest I didn’t recognise it in the blind tasting, but it was so incredibly good that I have since hunted down several bottles and have been doing some tasting of my own.

Beyers Truter, whose name is synonymous with Pinotage and Beyerskloof, is the man who put Pinotage on the world wine map with Kanonkop wines, and he is still making magic.

Look out for his Field Blend (the new name for Beyerskloof) as well as the outstanding Synergy Reserve – they’ll bring a new dimension to your wine enjoyment and both wines, although they come with a serious pedigree, are remarkably well-priced.

Another oldie but goodie is Monis Muscadel – the 2001 vintage from one of the oldest and most respected names in fortified wines has just collected a gold medal and top 10 ranking at the “soetes Olympics”, the 2008 Muscats du Monde competition in France.

Your local liquor outlet may not have the 2001 edition available but other vintages of this sweet, amber-coloured wine are just as good. It warms the soul on cold winter evenings and is a great refresher served over ice when temperatures rise.