Curious Case June 2025, Cape Expectations
A curious case of classics, curiosities and all-round South African brilliance.
South Africa has long been one of the major players in the global wine world – in fact, it’s been making wine since the 1600s. So while it’s often lumped in with the so-called New World, it’s really more of an old hand: the old guy of the New World, if you like. What makes it such an interesting country to explore is the way it draws from both ends of the spectrum. At its best, you get a combination of Old World polish and New World energy – wines with freshness, structure and a sense of place, but also fruit, generosity and flair.
This month’s Curious Case is all about that blend of tradition and innovation. It includes some of the country’s most famous styles – a zippy Sauvignon from the coast, a plush Pinotage from the Swartland, and a classic Cab-Merlot blend from the heart of Stellenbosch. But we’ve also slipped in a few wild cards: a skin-contact white made from Grenache Gris (a bit of a fashionable choice these days), a barrel-aged Chenin Blanc that’s had a wild ferment, and a crisp, tropical white from a lesser-known Portuguese variety that simply happens to make a very nice glass of wine.
Our Curious Cases are designed to help you push the boundaries just a little – to go for something you might not otherwise pick, safe in the knowledge we’ve done the hard work of tasting and curating.
- Waterkloof Circumstance Sauvignon Blanc – Cool, coastal, and refreshingly grown-up. Sauvignon with poise, not pyrotechnics.
- Delheim Wild Ferment Chenin Blanc – Naturally fermented, oak-aged, and brimming with golden stone fruit and spice.
- Buitenverwachting Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot – A smooth, structured Bordeaux blend that shows Stellenbosch at its elegant best.
- Spice Route Swartland Pinotage – Rich, ripe and deeply spiced. Full-bodied but nicely balanced – proof that Pinotage can be brilliant.
- Dye Bleeding Skin Contact Grenache Gris – A skin-contact white with peach, pepper and a fashionable edge.
- Strange Bru Fernão Pires – Bright tropical fruit, citrusy freshness, and a welcome change of pace.
Six cracking wines, plenty to explore, and loads to enjoy – all for £95. A small price to pay for expanding your vinous horizons without leaving the sofa.
