February 2026. South African WInes by Preet Sahota

 

South African Wine, Presented by Preet Sahota. “New Varieties & Vineyards“

This months presnter was a new face to us, Preet Sohota of Edgemond Wines in Shropshire (www.edgmondwines.co.uk) I personally enjoyed the evening, but several members did think it was very light on information about the wines, the vineyards or producers. Which is a fair criticism. We did find out far more about how a guy of South Asian background ended up in the wine trade than the wines.

The wines themselves are all boutique wines, and priced accordingly, and they are good, but with a notable absence of “New Varieties”. All very good, but are they good enough at the price point? The prices are all the list prices, we got a very good deal on the evening.  

Whites

Schenkfontein Truida MCC 2022 – 100% Chenin Blanc (Sparkling) 12%- £24.99

               This one is in fact very good. Unusual to see a sparkling C-B.

Cloudskraal Sauvignon Blanc 2025 – 100% Sauvignon Blanc 13.5% - £23.99

Villa Esposto Sauvignon Blanc 2025 – 100% Sauvignon Blanc 13.5% - £24.95

Villa Esposto Chenin Blanc 2025 – 100% Chenin Blanc 13.5% -£34.95

Reds

Blake Family Wines Pinot Noir 2025 – 100% Pinot Noir 14.5%. £36.99

               Really still very young. Needs a couple of years yet.

Villa Esposto Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2023 – 70% CS, 70% Merlot 14.5% £23.99

               Also too young – although at 3 years old it should be showing something. Hmm….

Villa Esposto Pinotage 2023 – 100% Pinotage 14.5% £25.99

               Also 3 years old, and rather better than the previous CS/M

Dessert

Winkelshoek Cape Vintage 2022 – 100% Pinotage. 17.5%  

A dessert wine. Not my thing, but many did like it.