Fairview Estate is a family owned property on the southwest facing slopes of Paarl Mountain. The first wine was produced here in 1699, but the estate really began to shine from 1937 when Charles Back I took possession. The current owner, Charles Back II, was voted the second most influential person in the South African wine industry – after Nelson Mandela!Winemaker Anthony de Jager is a keen mountain biker, and spends his weekends cycling around the Cape winelands – so he knows the local vineyards well. Here he has combined top quality grapes – mostly Rhône varieties with a dash of Tannat and Petit Sirah – from diverse terroirs, finishing the wine for 18 months in barrel. A rich, complex and spicy red, perfect with grilled red meats.

Here’s a grape everyone should know about. Pinotage is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault. It’s unique to South Africa and very much “the talk of the party” (Tim Atkin MW), having come back from near neglect in recent years. Drakenskloof was made by Lizanne Jordaan at one of South Africa’s top award winning wineries, Spier, founded in 1692 near Stellenbosch. The estate not only boasts a rich wine heritage, but within the domaine there is also an eagle sanctuary and cheetah reserve! Lizanne aged the wine in a combination of American and French oak, which has allowed gently smoky tannins to support the ripe berry flavours. Soft enough to be enjoyed on its own and a versatile food partner. Try roast lamb or pork chops and ratatouille.

Carignan has a long history in the Cape but has been replaced by more ‘fashionable’ varieties in recent years. With potential for wines this juicy and delicious though, that trend must surely be reversed. Better known in southern France, Carignan slipped out of favour even there until winemakers realised that by limiting yields from old vines “you can suddenly revel in a red wine that combines density and succulence with an austere yet compelling beauty” (Andrew Jefford). Charles Back came across a small patch of old vines along a back road in Swartland and got to work. His full-bodied Carignan sure has that density and succulence and is packed with cherry and plum flavours. Perfect for barbecues or a lamb chop or sausage and mash supper.

Tim Atkin MW of The Observer writes: “South Africa’s reds are getting better with every vintage.” Made from the country’s unique red grape, Pinotage, The Bulldozer comes from Bergsig Estate, a medal winning winery that has been in the same family for the last 150 years. The grapes were selected from the oldest vines on the property – so old, in fact, that they are close to being dug up! However, the ominous presence of a bulldozer on the side of their plot seems to scare them into life and each year they produce a modest amount of tiny berries that produce wonderfully concentrated wine.The perfect balance between fruit and spice makes this wine ideal with cold meats, coarse terrines or grilled or barbecued meats – especially lamb.