White
Villiera Blue Ridge Blanc 1999
(Superquinn; O'Briens Fine Wines; Deveneys, Rosemount & Taney; Kielys, Mount Merrion; Cheers-Bradys, Shankill; Joyce's of Knocknacarra, Galway, and other outlets, usually about £6.49). Delicious summer drinking - like diving into a pear and pineapple fruit salad, with a dash of lemon juice for freshness. It would be great to see South Africa sending us more wines of this quality at this price.
L'Avenir Chenin Blanc 1999
(Dunnes Stores, £7.49). Here come those luscious guava flavours in a knockout example of Cape Chenin with tropical richness but not a whisper of oak. Try it with a vegetable or chicken curry.
Neil Ellis Sauvignon Blanc 1999
(Raheny Wine Cellar; McHugh's, Kilbarrack; Jus de Vine, Portmarnock; Vaughan Johnson's, Temple Bar; Mortons, Ranelagh; Terroirs, Donnybrook; Ryanvine, Navan; Lonergans, Clonmel; Foleys, Sligo; Karwigs, Carrigaline and other outlets, usually about £10). In a sea of Cape Sauvignon, this is one of the star performers - grassy, intense, subtly captivating.
Red
Simonsig Pinotage 1998
(Molloys Liquor Stores; Martha's Vineyard, Rathfarnham; Vintry, Rathgar; Corks, Terenure; Cooneys, Harold's Cross; O'Donovans, Cork and many other outlets, usually £6.99). The current vintage sees this unwooded Pinotage on top form. Juicy summer pudding fruits give way to a firm, spicy, mineral-tinged finish. To bear in mind for barbecues.
Clos Malverne Pinotage Reserve 1998
(Dunnes Stores, £7.99). South Africa doesn't always deliver value, but it's here in spades. See Bottle of the Week.
Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir 1998
(Vintry, Rathgar; McCabes, Blackrock & Foxrock; Jus de Vine, Portmarnock; McHugh's, Kilbarrack; Mill, Maynooth, and other outlets, usually £13.99-£14.99). Anthony Hamilton Russell's wines - Chardonnay and Pinot Noir - are as civilised and elegant as the man himself. His '97 Pinot was the stunner of the decade, but don't despair; its replacement is pretty good too. Smouldering power and spicy intrigue; still taut.
Warwick Estate Trilogy 1997
(Searsons, Monkstown, £15.75) Womanpower was the first thing that intrigued me about Warwick; this classy Bordeaux blend came next. Beautifully crafted, it's a food wine par excellence - mouthwatering, flavoursome and lingering.
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