South Africa is a country with a rich history of winemaking and a growing reputation for producing high-quality highly collectable wines. The South African wine industry is closely scrutinized by a number of influential and well-known wine critics, who play a key role in shaping the country’s wine culture and establishing its reputation on the global stage by highlighting the unique taste profile, quality, and value of these wines.
How many of these critics and publications do you know?
- Michael Fridjhon – Fridjhon is a South African wine critic, author, and judge who has been writing about the country’s wines for over 35 years. He is considered to be one of the foremost authorities on South African wine, and his reviews and tasting notes are widely respected by both winemakers and consumers. Michael has acted as the South African representative judge for the Global Fine Wine Challenge , formerly Six Nations Wine Challenge since 2003 and travels to Australia annually to judge and benchmark South African wines against the best new world wines from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA. (In 2021, Quoin Rock Black Series MCC Sparkling 2014 took out the Sparkling Wines Trophy ) To read more on how South African wines compete on the world stage click here.
Michael Fridjhon
- Tim Atkin – Atkin is a UK-based wine writer and critic who has been covering South African wine for many years. He has a deep knowledge of the country’s wine regions, styles, and winemakers, and his tasting notes are known for their accuracy and detail. Kanonkop Paul Sauer 2015 became the first South African wine to receive 100pts in Tim’s annual report on the South African wine industry and every year the Kanonkop Wines range scores 91pts and up, exceptional wines. Tim commented on the quality of South African wines in the 2021 Decanter World Wine Awards, to read how South African wines ranked in the Decanter World Wine Awards click here.
Tim Atkin
- Jancis Robinson: Jancis Robinson is one of the world’s leading wine writers and critics, and she has been a long-time advocate for South African wine. She has praised the country’s top wines for their aging potential, balance, and elegance, and has noted that many of the country’s red wines are capable of aging for several decades. She once rated Meerlust Rubiconunder her top 10 South African reds.
Jancis Robinson
- Jamie Goode – Goode is a UK-based wine writer and critic who has a strong interest in South African wine. He is known for his thoughtful and insightful tasting notes, and his reviews are widely read by both winemakers and consumers.
Jaimee Goode
- Neil Martin – Martin is a UK-based wine critic who has been writing about South African wine for many years. He is widely regarded as one of the most knowledgeable and credible critics in the industry, and his reviews and tasting notes are widely respected by both winemakers and consumers. South African wines rates highly on the Interntaional wine stage, especially at the International Wine and Spirit Competition, click here to read more.
Neil Martin
- Robert Parker: Robert Parker, the founder of the Wine Advocate, is one of the world’s most influential wine writers and critics. He has noted that South African wine has come a long way in recent years and has praised the country’s top wines for their depth, concentration, and elegance.
Robert Parker
- Platter’s Guide – Platter’s Guide is a well-respected South African wine guide that has been published annually for over 40 years. It provides detailed tasting notes and ratings for thousands of South African wines, and it is widely regarded as one of the most authoritative sources of information on the country’s wines.
Platter’s Guide respected South African Wine Guide
- Wine & Spirit Magazine
- Wine Enthusiast Magazine
- Decanter Magazine
Wine & Spirit Magazine, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Decanter Magazine
These well-known and highly acclaimed international wine writers and publications have also noted that the growing popularity of South African wine, combined with the country’s evolving wine industry, has led to an increase in demand for collectable South African wines. They have emphasized that many of the country’s top wines are highly undervalued compared to other leading wine regions, making them an excellent investment opportunity for wine collectors.
Who do you subscribe to or follow for your wine reviews?
