Opinion & Analysis

Tim James: Cab Franc as a lighter red, and Radford Dale

By Tim James , 4 March 2024

Recently writing of my especial pleasure in pinotage amongst varieties called on in the modern quest for genuinely light red wines, I didn’t consider cabernet...

3

Jamie Goode: How soon does wine scoring become defunct?

By Jamie Goode , 1 March 2024

Something made me realise wine might be interesting when I was 21. I’d just begun my PhD and was spending quite a bit of time...

15

Malu Lambert: Is South Africa ready for the lightweight bottle revolution?

By Malu Lambert , 1 March 2024

“Unnecessarily heavy bottle”, begins the review. Well, many reviews. Particularly if you’re scrolling through Jancis Robinson.com. The world-renowned Ronbinson is not alone in her condemnation...

2

Tim James: Analogue and digital food and wine inspiration

By Tim James , 26 February 2024

In these days of curmudgeonly elderliness I seem to do more re-reading of old favourite books than trying to find new ones. I’ve recently been...

Editorial: A Kerouacian defence of wine

By Christian Eedes , 23 February 2024

“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of...

9

Greg Sherwood MW: SA wine needs to stay positive despite difficult trading conditions

By Greg Sherwood , 21 February 2024

February and March are usually a spectacularly busy time in the European wine trade calendar, no more so than right now. While South African producers...

Tim James: Change and splendid continuity at Kanonkop

By Christian Eedes , 19 February 2024

I’m going to miss Abrie Beeslaar at Kanonkop, when in August he pulls back his involvement there to concentrate on his own label. From cellarmaster...

2

Michael Fridjhon: Time for SA wine to adapt or die

By Michael Fridjhon , 14 February 2024

It’s kind of hard not to approach 2024 with just a little trepidation. On an international level, things are not looking rosy. Many strategic analysts...

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Fintan Kerr: What makes a good wine writer?

By Fintan Kerr , 14 February 2024

With the exception of a few producers and occasionally a prominent sommelier or two, the wine industry is fairly understated, with very little visibility beyond...

5

Tim James: The possibilities of keg wine

By Tim James , 12 February 2024

My most enjoyable recent wine experience was not grand – and it was the sort of occasion when the idea of sternly scoring or rating...