New Platter Guide out mid-November

7 Nov 2012

Platter's 33rd edition features well over 900 South African wine producers, merchants and brands, including 54 new ones, and over 7,300 locally produced wines. The print version will be available from the second half of November at selected bookstores and retailers countrywide.

The insightful and thought-provoking foreword is by London-based Lynne Sherriff, qualified winemaker, award-winning wine consultant and Master of Wine.

Included in this year's edition are the stories behind some of the wines and a full colour photo gallery, which has been re-imagined and photographed by a young up-and-coming Capetonian, Teddy Sambu, mentored by local photographer and artist Athol Moult via the Imara Lightwarrior initiative. The images cover both well-established producers such as Sadie Family, Teddy Hall and Luddite, as well as newer names such as Ladera Artisan Wines, Amistad Wine Company and Osbloed Wines. The portraits are a visual expression of the 'backstories' idea.

"Today much attention is focused on the nuts and bolts of wine, but rather less on the mystery, excitement and allure," says Andrew McDowall, publisher of Platter's Guide. "With our emphasis this edition on 'backstories', the book is looking to showcase the passion, dreams, challenges and successes which not only form the backdrop to the wines featured in the guide, but also make South Africa one of the most fascinating and dynamic areas in the world of wine.

Wines, rambles and awards

The guide's wine descriptions and star ratings, compiled in association with a team of leading wine experts, make it easy to find the right wine for any occasion, while the good-value indicators highlight those bottlings which are especially budget friendly across all quality levels.

Published in hardcopy and a variety of digital formats, it also packs extensive information on where to go and what to do in wine country. Dining, accommodation and cellar door tasting options are covered in detail, along with many winery amenities, attractions and activities. GPS coordinates, easy-to-use maps and quick look-up tables provide invaluable help for visitors planning their own winelands rambles, while listings of specialised wine tour operators offer a variety of alternatives for those searching for a guided experience.

Fully updated notes on the major winegrowing regions, grape varieties, winemaking styles, wine-tasting terms, and the major wine competitions and awards, as well as listings of fine-wine stockists, wine shippers and wine educators countrywide complete the offering.

5-star line-up

This edition has 62 wines in the 5-star class with one producer (Cape Chamonix) garnering four 5-star ratings, three cellars (Fairview, Mullineux Family and Nederburg) each amassing three 5-stars, and a further six wineries (Boschendal, Fleur du Cap, Jordan, Raka, Sadie Family and Tokara) each receiving two 5-stars.

Twelve wineries received 5-star ratings for the first time, namely AA Badenhorst Family, Alheit, Bon Courage, Cederberg, Dalla Cia, David, Fryer's Cove, Keets, Mvemve Raats, Nitida, Saronsberg and Von Ortloff.

Wine of the Year

Andrew McDowall, Platter’s publisher, with Gottfried Mocke and Emul Ross of Cape Chamonix, winner of Platter’s Winery of the Year Award, and Philip van Zyl, Platter’s editor.

Of the 5-star awarded wines, the red and white, which receive the most votes from the judging panel, are named Platter's Wines of the Year. This time the Red Wine Of The Year is Mullineux Family Syrah 2010 (Wine of Origin Swartland), described in the guide as "an icon in the making", whilst the White Wine Of The Year is Paul Cluver Noble Late Harvest 2011 (Wine of Origin Elgin), a botrytis Riesling dessert wine noted as "a thing of beauty".

Superquaffer of the Year

In an ongoing focus on value for money, the guide identifies a number of entry-level wines, which are exceptionally drinkable and well-priced. The best of these, like the 5-star candidates, go into a second round of "blind" tasting (without sight of the label) to select the Superquaffer of the Year.

For the first time since 2007, the ultra-easy sipper of the year is a red wine - Melck's Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 by Muratie Estate (Wine of Origin Western Cape), noted in the guide as "a model of lively drinkability," showing "a curvaceous smoothness."

Winery of the Year

Winery of the Year award is the editor's personal selection after considering a variety of criteria, the aim being to showcase a producer who epitomises the best of South African winegrowing today.

"The award is influenced by the results of the 5 star tasting," says editor Philip van Zyl, "and Cape Chamonix's ever-improving performance, culminating in an exceptional four maximum ratings (out of five nominations) this edition, made it the obvious choice for 2013 Winery of the Year. On behalf of the guide, I'd like to congratulate cellarmaster Gottfried Mocke, owner Chris Hellinger and the team on an outstanding achievement."

The recommended retail price is R169.95.

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