Last week I was invited to attend the media presentation for the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show. Michael Fridjon has been organising this event since 2002. Now if I ever have any doubts about whether the SA wine industry is capable of holding its own on the international market, I just need to participate in an event, tasting, or any other wine related matter with Fridjon to be assured that our standards are as good as the best in the world.

Which leads me to my ongoing hobby-horse and making the claim of just how good and totally underrated SA’s fine wines are in the international marketplace. For too long now I have been exposed to unsighted, otherwise known as blind tastings, where a number of SA’s top wines are benchmarked against their peers from some of the best vineyards around the world and every time our quality exceeds everyone’s expectations - holding our own against the big name of the wine world which can cost up to 10 times the price of ours. Judging wines and wine competitions on their merits and demerits is another can of worms altogether. But what can not be disputed is how well our wines perform at most of the credible international competitions. Almost every week I receive a press release from a SA winery winning a major competition or receiving a gold medal in its class.

Now I know these are pretty blanket statements I’m making. What I am getting at is that until we as South Africans, whether from the consumer’s point of view, or people involved in the industry, start backing ourselves, how can we expect international wine buyers and commentators to give our best wines the credit they deserve to take their rightful place alongside the world best?

A sceptic might say that most of these competitions are all smoke, mirrors with so many variables influencing the results.

If ever I have any doubt of just how good our wines are or why I believe  they are too often underrated by ourselves and the international market, I just need to get into my car and head anywhere into the Cape Winelands. Recently I have spent time with Abrie Beeslaar, winemaker at Kanonkop in Stellenbosch, Gottfried Mocke of Chamonix in Franschhoek, Duncan Savage of Cape Point Vineyards in Noordhoek and Eben Sadie out in the Swartland.

After each encounter I’ve walked away with an immense sense of optimism and belief that the future of our wine industry is in good hands; a common thread of confidence, passion and self-belief runs through each of these individuals.

This type of talent coupled with the natural beauty and terroir the Cape Winelands offer, create a dynamic which has all the potential for greatness.

Just take a drive to the Rustenberg wine farm in the heart of Stellenbosch winelands. Drive up the long and winding road from the entrance up to the historic manor house and the magnificent new cellar and tasting room and you realise you are in a special place, with committed and passionate people doing great things. If you were able to transplant this property and its heritage dating back to 1683 to any one of the recognised wine regions of the world, just what would international wine buyers be prepared to pay for a bottle of their flagship wine?

Getting back to where I started: the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show media presentation. One of the esteemed international judges summed it up quite beautifully: “SA’s top wines are simply world-class.” Isn’t it time we as South Africans start believing it?