When it comes to the best South African wine value, it's no straightforward matter. But with our team's expert guidance, you'll be saving as you savour!
Many wine lovers are asking where the best South African wine can be found – at the best possible prices, of course!
South African wine is world famous with good reason. Our country’s warm climate enables grapes to ripen perfectly, bringing forth full, high-alcohol wines bursting with fruity flavour. In the Western Cape, in particular, the cool ocean breeze ensures wines display the crisp, bright acidity that makes them especially sought after.
In this blog, we’ll share some inside wine-buying tips from our winery’s team of experts. These pointers will help ensure you get the most out of your wine-drinking experience – not to mention the best possible value!
Of course, value is often relative to budget – but who doesn’t like a (delicious, award-winning) bargain? Let’s explore Team Alvi’s top wine-buying tips.
#1 – Be bold: Explore wines made from lesser-known grape varieties
The world of wine is vast, and one of the best things about it is that it’s home to so many different types of wine! Don’t be afraid to leave your comfort zone and try something new – your expanding wine palate will thank you for it.
Alvi’s Drift proudly produces a number of award-winning wines made from lesser-known grape varieties, such as our multi-award-winning Signature Viognier.
Fun fact: Our 2023 harvest included Cabernet Franc and Marselan, both of which are new varieties for our winery.
#2 – Consider wine-and-food pairing
The right wine, matched with the perfect dish, can elevate your culinary experience from pleasant to sublime. When shopping for wine, always consider the flavours of the meal you’ll be serving – and opt for a wine that will complement them.
For example, our Icon range Albertus Viljoen Chenin Blanc is a versatile wine that pairs well with a range of dishes, from seafood to spicy Asian cuisine.
Want to perfect your food-and-wine-pairing skills? Watch our Taste What’s Possible episode on pairing food with white wine. It’s presented by renowned local wine expert (and Alvi’s Drift brand ambassador) Junel van der Merwe herself!
#3 – Opt for quality over quantity
It’s been said that everybody loves a bargain. But in the world of wine, quality is key.
When selecting a bottle, always select interesting wines that are expertly crafted and made with care, rather than simply going for the cheapest option.
At our third-generation winery, we pride ourselves on our passion for our craft, our attention to detail, and our commitment to producing superb wines of the highest standard.
Have you tried our multi-award-winning Reserve CVC? Our Reserve range showcases “the best of our harvest; a fusion of our trademark fresh, primary-fruit style, with just a hint of the luscious and opulent barrel-fermented style of our Albertus Viljoen Icon range”.
This popular white blend is created from the Chenin Blanc, Viognier, and Chardonnay varieties and is aged for one year in mostly French oak before bottling.
The best wines aren’t the ones with the most awards, they’re the ones that you love the most.
#4 – Awards are important (but they’re not everything)
Wine awards can be a helpful guide to assist with identifying great-value wines, but they’re not the be-all and end-all.
Taste differs, and it is important to try wines first-hand in order to form your own opinion and remain true to your own tastes and preferences.
Over the years, our Breede River Valley has been honoured with numerous local and international wine awards, but, as our head winemaker Alvi van der Merwe, often says, “The best wines aren’t the ones with the most awards, they’re the ones you love the most.”
Read our End-of-Harvest Q&A with Alvi’s Drift head winemaker Alvi van der Merwe here.
#5 – Join a wine club
If you’re passionate about wine, consider joining a wine club.
Doing so will allow you to stay up to date with a winery’s latest releases while enjoying exclusive, members-only benefits and more.
Our Alvi’s Drift wine club members not only have access to great members-only promotions, they also get access to limited-edition wines, tier-related discounts, and invitations to exclusive events. What’s more, joining a wine club is a great way to deepen your appreciation for fine wine while connecting with like-minded individuals.
Did you know our wine club requires no annual membership fee? Simply place your first online order of R350 or more to start your Alvi’s Drift wine club journey on the Bronze membership tier.
South African Wine – Great Value Guaranteed
South African wines that are most often associated with our country are Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and our country’s very own varietal, Pinotage.
Chenin Blanc’s versatility (and recent re-emergence as a fine-wine varietal) has seen it enjoy a big surge in popularity. Pinotage still delights local winemakers, as it affords them the chance to innovate with different styles and vinification techniques, while Cabernet Sauvignon is a key component of many superb, locally produced red blends.
Great Wines – For the Price of Good
Do browse the Chenin Blanc, Pinotage and Cabernet Sauvignon wines in our Signature range – in the words of Alvi, our winery’s entry-level range offers wine lovers “great for the price of good!”
Find Your Favourites Among Our Award-Winning South African Wines
Visit our Alvi’s Drift online shop to browse our award-winning South African wines, or learn more about our Breede River Valley winery’s rich and storied history here.
