PUNDITS are having a field day predicting the winner of the Fifa World Cup 2010 in South Africa. I have a prediction of a different sort. I predict that Singapore consumers will be surprised by the good value many South African wines now offer.

Most consumers don't realise that South Africa has undergone a wine renaissance over the past 10 years. As one of the oldest "New World" wine-producing countries, with vineyards planted more than 300 years ago by wine-thirsty European immigrants, the country has an ideal climate for high-quality viticulture.

Abundant sunshine is just one of the magical ingredients that classic red grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz thrive on, as does South Africa's own Pinotage and the white Chenin Blanc grape.

Today, the vastly improved South African wine industry is making good value-for-money wines that will please just about every wine-drinking crowd.

Allow me to make three predictions.



1 I predict the "connoisseur" crowd will love the red wines from the Stellenboch region, in particular the Haskell Vineyard's Dombeya Samara 2005 that's available at Singapore Straits Wine Company (formerly Denise Wines). This classy Bordeaux blend drinks somewhere between the Old and New World as it has plenty ripe fruit flavours and fantastic tannins to frame the wine.

Dombeya is a mouth-filling thrill to drink because it captures the bold and beautiful character of the terroir and shows the exciting possibilities in South African wines. It is also the first South African wine to be recommended by The Local Nose's expert panel of "Noses".



2 For the "curious" wine crowd wanting to drink like a true South African, I predict the perfect wine-of-choice to be Pinotage. This is South Africa's very own grape varietal - a cross of the elegant Pinot Noir and a more rustic Cinsaut grape. Generally, Pinotage makes a distinctive, earthy flavoured red wine with cherry, plum and spice aromas with plenty of fresh acidity.

Few Pinotage wines are imported into Singapore, but one excellent wine worth seeking out is the Dark Lady Of The Labyrinth Pinotage 2009 from Doolhof Vineyards (imported by Top Wines). As the name might suggest, the Dark Lady has a fleshy, supple character and is full of ripe and juicy fruit. It was also recently recommended by The Local Nose.

Alternatively, look for the Groot Constantia Pinotage 2007 (imported by Stellez Vine) from the cooler coastal wine region of Constantia just south of Cape Town. It, too, is a distinctive example of the Pinotage grape.



3 The wine "quaffing" crowd has some excellent choices. My prediction is the bold and spicy Arabella Shiraz 2009 (imported by Rubicon Reserve Wines) from the hotter region of Robertson will be a great starting point. It's a young wine with lots of energy to sustain thirsty fans through even the tightest match.

Another crowd-pleasing quaffer will be the Waverley Hills Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2007 (also imported by Rubicon Reserve Wines), which has wonderfully minty and chocolaty aromas, and a pure, clean fruit expression on the palate. This wine goes down very easily and finishes long with a richly textured balance.

Lastly, give the "cheap and cheerful" lighter-bodied Embrace Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (imported by Bays Connection) from the Western Cape a try.

Go on, get in the spirit and drink like a native during the World Cup with one of these South African wines. I predict you'll be surprised by how good they are.



The writer is the founder of The Local Nose (www.thelocalnose.com), a leading Singapore-based wine recommendation website.

The tried and tasted

1. Dombeya Samara 2005, $51.80, available at Singapore Straits Wine Company/Denise The Wine Shop (Tel: 1800 888 8333)

2. Dark Lady Of The Labyrinth Pinotage 2009, $44, available at Top Wines (Tel: 6468 3866)

3. Groot Constantia Pinotage 2007, $63, available at Stellez Vine (Email: info@stellezvine.com.sg)

4. Arabella Shiraz 2009, $29.96, available from Rubicon Reserve Wines (To place an order, visit www.rubiconreservewines.com or call 6837 8012)

5. Waverley Hills Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2007, $38.43, also available from Rubicon Reserve Wines

6. Embrace Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, $29.50, available at The Wine Company (Visit www.thewinecompany.com.sg or call 6479 9341)