GWA Cellar Selection Tasting | South Africa | 23rd Thurs July 26 | 18-20h UK
South Africa Cellar Selection
A Rare Opportunity to Explore Mature South African Fine Wine
Over the years we have quietly built a small cellar of wines that have inspired us, challenged us and reminded us why South Africa is one of the most exciting fine wine regions in the world.
For this exclusive Cellar Selection, we have ventured into those reserves to create a tasting that would be difficult, expensive and, in some cases, impossible to recreate today.
The line-up includes mature vintages from some of South Africa's most respected producers, alongside wines that have become benchmarks for their regions and grape varieties. Many of these wines were purchased years ago and carefully cellared, allowing them to develop the complexity, nuance and harmony that only time can provide.
One of the highlights is the acclaimed Kanonkop Paul Sauer 2015. Widely regarded as one of the most important South African wines of the modern era, this celebrated Bordeaux blend helped propel South Africa firmly onto the world's fine wine stage. Opportunities to taste mature examples alongside other leading wines from the Cape are increasingly rare.
The tasting also showcases Chenin Blanc in all its forms, from single-varietal expressions to complex blends, demonstrating why the grape has become synonymous with South Africa's fine wine renaissance. Ken Forrester features prominently, including a limited-allocation Grenache that is seldom encountered outside specialist circles.
Featured Wines
Ken Forrester The FMC Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch 2019 100ml
Chris & Suzaan Alheit Cartology, 90% CB, 10% Semillon, Western Cape 2018 100ml
Vondeling Voor Paardeberg, 50% CB, 24% Ch, 13% GB, 13% Viog 2014 100ml
Kanonkop Paul Sauer Simonsberg- Stellenbosch, 70% CS, 15% Mer, 15% CF 2015 100ml
Ken Forrester The Gypsy, Grenache/Syrah, Western Cape 2015 100ml
This is not simply a tasting of individual wines. It is an opportunity to explore the evolution of a wine-producing nation through a carefully curated collection of bottles that tell a much larger story.
The Experience
Your wines will be preserved using argon gas and prepared specifically for the tasting. Sample sizes vary according to availability, with some wines offered in smaller measures due to the limited quantities remaining in our cellar.
Join us live on Zoom for an in-depth two-hour guided tasting session, where we will explore the history, geography, soils, viticulture, winemaking and ageing potential of each wine. Along the way we will discuss why these wines matter, how they compare with their international peers and what makes them worthy of a place in a fine wine cellar.
The sessions are designed for both enthusiastic wine lovers and experienced wine students. Whether you are discovering these wines for the first time or returning to structured tasting after completing your studies, you will find plenty to enjoy.
Many of our alumni tell us that they miss the opportunity to taste and discuss wines in a focused environment. These sessions provide a chance to reconnect with those skills, revisit classic regions and benchmark your palate against a range of outstanding wines.
For those who wish to approach the tasting in a more structured way, WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting (SAT) notes can be provided on request.
To ensure a highly interactive experience, places are limited to a maximum of 12 participants. There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions, discuss the wines and share observations throughout the evening.
All sessions are recorded and available to view for one month after the live event.
Pricing
We believe in being completely transparent about our pricing.
The cost of each Cellar Selection is based on the current market value of the wines included, together with delivery costs and a £25 tasting session fee.
In many cases, the wines being poured are mature vintages that are no longer widely available. The opportunity to taste them side by side, guided by an experienced educator and in the company of fellow enthusiasts, is what makes these evenings truly special.
UK and EU delivery only at present. Wines will be dispatched during the week of the tasting.
Some of these wines will reappear in future tastings in the series so this may not be your only opportunity to try them.