New Platter Guide out mid-November

The insightful and thought-provoking foreword is by London-based Lynne Sherriff, qualified winemaker, award-winning wine consultant and Master of Wine.

Included in this year's edition are the stories behind some of the wines and a full colour photo gallery, which has been re-imagined and photographed by a young up-and-coming Capetonian, Teddy Sambu, mentored by local photographer and artist Athol Moult via the Imara Lightwarrior initiative. The images cover both well-established producers such as Sadie Family, Teddy Hall and Luddite, as well as newer names such as Ladera Artisan Wines, Amistad Wine Company and Osbloed Wines. The portraits are a visual expression of the 'backstories' idea.

"Today much attention is focused on the nuts and bolts of wine, but rather less on the mystery, excitement and allure," says Andrew McDowall, publisher of Platter's Guide. "With our emphasis this edition on 'backstories', the book is looking to showcase the passion, dreams, challenges and successes which not only form the backdrop to the wines featured in the guide, but also make South Africa one of the most fascinating and dynamic areas in the world of wine.

Wines, rambles and awards

The guide's wine descriptions and star ratings, compiled in association with a team of leading wine experts, make it easy to find the right wine for any occasion, while the good-value indicators highlight those bottlings which are especially budget friendly across all quality levels.

Published in hardcopy and a variety of digital formats, it also packs extensive information on where to go and what to do in wine country. Dining, accommodation and cellar door tasting options are covered in detail, along with many winery amenities, attractions and activities. GPS coordinates, easy-to-use maps and quick look-up tables provide invaluable help for visitors planning their own winelands rambles, while listings of specialised wine tour operators offer a variety of alternatives for those searching for a guided experience.

Fully updated notes on the major winegrowing regions, grape varieties, winemaking styles, wine-tasting terms, and the major wine competitions and awards, as well as listings of fine-wine stockists, wine shippers and wine educators countrywide complete the offering.

5-star line-up

This edition has 62 wines in the 5-star class with one producer (Cape Chamonix) garnering four 5-star ratings, three cellars (Fairview, Mullineux Family and Nederburg) each amassing three 5-stars, and a further six wineries (Boschendal, Fleur du Cap, Jordan, Raka, Sadie Family and Tokara) each receiving two 5-stars.

Twelve wineries received 5-star ratings for the first time, namely AA Badenhorst Family, Alheit, Bon Courage, Cederberg, Dalla Cia, David, Fryer's Cove, Keets, Mvemve Raats, Nitida, Saronsberg and Von Ortloff.

Wine of the Year

Andrew McDowall, Platter’s publisher, with Gottfried Mocke and Emul Ross of Cape Chamonix, winner of Platter’s Winery of the Year Award, and Philip van Zyl, Platter’s editor.

Of the 5-star awarded wines, the red and white, which receive the most votes from the judging panel, are named Platter's Wines of the Year. This time the Red Wine Of The Year is Mullineux Family Syrah 2010 (Wine of Origin Swartland), described in the guide as "an icon in the making", whilst the White Wine Of The Year is Paul Cluver Noble Late Harvest 2011 (Wine of Origin Elgin), a botrytis Riesling dessert wine noted as "a thing of beauty".

Superquaffer of the Year

In an ongoing focus on value for money, the guide identifies a number of entry-level wines, which are exceptionally drinkable and well-priced. The best of these, like the 5-star candidates, go into a second round of "blind" tasting (without sight of the label) to select the Superquaffer of the Year.

For the first time since 2007, the ultra-easy sipper of the year is a red wine - Melck's Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 by Muratie Estate (Wine of Origin Western Cape), noted in the guide as "a model of lively drinkability," showing "a curvaceous smoothness."

Winery of the Year

Winery of the Year award is the editor's personal selection after considering a variety of criteria, the aim being to showcase a producer who epitomises the best of South African winegrowing today.

"The award is influenced by the results of the 5 star tasting," says editor Philip van Zyl, "and Cape Chamonix's ever-improving performance, culminating in an exceptional four maximum ratings (out of five nominations) this edition, made it the obvious choice for 2013 Winery of the Year. On behalf of the guide, I'd like to congratulate cellarmaster Gottfried Mocke, owner Chris Hellinger and the team on an outstanding achievement."

The recommended retail price is R169.95.

5-star wines

Cabernet Franc
• Raka 2009
• Von Ortloff Quintessence 2008
• Warwick 2009
Cabernet Sauvignon
• Delaire Graff Laurence Graff Reserve 2009
Pinotage
• Cape Chamonix Greywacke 2010
• Kanonkop 2010
Pinot Noir
• Cape Chamonix Reserve 2011
• Newton Johnson Family Vineyards 2011
Shiraz/Syrah
• Boschendal Cecil John Reserve 2010
• Cederberg CWG Auction Reserve Teen die Hoog 2010
• Delheim Vera Cruz 2009
• Fable Bobbejaan 2010
• Fairview Jakkalsfontein 2009
• Mullineux Family Schist 2010
• Mullineux Family Syrah 2010 (Red Wine of the Year)
• Raka Biography 2010
• Saronsberg 2010
• Simonsig Merindol Syrah 2010
Red Blends
• Dalla Cia Wine & Spirit Company Giorgio 2007
• Fleur de Cap Lazlo 2008
• Keets First Verse 2010
• Ken Forrester The Gypsy 2009
• La Motte Pierneef Shiraz-Viognier 2010
• Mvemve Raats MR De Compostella 2009
• Nico van der Merwe Mas Nicolas Cape 2007
• Sadie Family Columella 2010
Chardonnay
• Boschendal Reserve 2011
• Cape Chamonix Reserve 2011
• Hamilton Russell 2011
• Jordan CWG Auction Reserve 2011
• Jordan Nine Yards 2011
Chenin Blanc
• Alheit Cartology 2011
• Beaumont Hope Marguerite 2011
• Botanica 2011
• DeMorgenzon Reserve 2010
• Jean Daneel Signature 2011
• KWV Cathedral Cellar 2011
• Sadie Family Skurfberg 2011
• Spice Route 2011
Sauvignon Blanc
• Fryer's Cove 2011
• Graham Beck Pheasant's Run 2012
• Tokara Walker Bay 2012
White Blends
• AA Badenhorst Family 2010
• Cape Chamonix Reserve 2011
• Cape Point CWG Auction Reserve 2011
• David Aristargos 2011
• Fairview Nurok 2011
• Flagstone Treaty Tree Reserve 2010
• Miles Mossop Saskia 2011
• Nederburg Ingenuity 2011
• Nederburg Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon Private Bin D252 2012
• Nitida Coronata Integration 2011
• Rall 2011
• Tokara Director's Reserve 2011
Méthode Cap Classique
• Bon Courage Jacques Bruére Brut Reserve 2008
• Villiera Monro Brut 2007
Dessert Wine Unfortified
• Fairview La Beryl Blanc 2011
• Fleur du Cap Noble Late Harvest 2011
• Mullineux Family Straw Wine 2011
• Nederburg Winemaster's Reserve Noble Late Harvest 2011
• Paul Cluver Noble Late Harvest 2011 (White Wine of the Year)
Port
• De Krans The Last Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2010