When Axle Chenin Blanc 2025 arrived in the UK, we received just over a quarter of the estate’s entire production. We expected it to move quickly. It always does. Today, fewer than 200 bottles remain. For those who have followed Alex Milner over the years, this has become a familiar pattern. Axle isn’t released with great fanfare…
DetailsWhile many of us are settling into another week, Alex Milner is somewhere in rural France. Having just celebrated the wedding of a French intern in the tiny Ardèche hamlet of Rimouren, he’s preparing for his next adventure: a 1,000-kilometre cycling journey across the French Alps. Armed with just 2.3kg of luggage, an old route map once used by…
DetailsFifty-five years ago, South Africa produced its very first bottle of Cap Classique. Today, that once-young category has matured into one of the world’s most exciting sources of traditional-method sparkling wine. Made using the same painstaking bottle fermentation as Champagne, Cap Classique has evolved far beyond being simply an affordable alternative. With exceptional vineyards, longer…
DetailsFranschhoek has long been one of South Africa’s most celebrated wine valleys. From elegant Cabernet Sauvignon to age-worthy Bordeaux blends, its wines combine structure, freshness and remarkable longevity. We’ve spent more than two decades exploring the Cape, building relationships with the people behind its most exciting wines. This week, we’ve brought together three very different…
DetailsStony Brook Vineyards 100% Tempranillo, Franschhoek 92 Points – Tim Atkin MW “A very rare sighting in the Cape of Tempranillo, Ovidius would put a smile on the face of a winemaker from Rioja or Ribera del Duero. Stylishly oaked in 65% new barrels, it has appealing bramble and blueberry fruit, plenty of supporting acidity…
DetailsWinshaw Vineyards “Smells a little like those tiny Parma Violet sweeties you get in tubes. I’m not terribly sure I would have identified this as Pinot Gris, but there is a bit of ginger in there giving it nip. Nashi pears, nice and fresh.” – Tamlyn Currin. Shop The Runaway Pinot Gris 2024 Earlier this week, we…
DetailsPinotage has spent decades trying to prove it can be powerful. Alex Milner wondered whether it should instead be graceful. After all, Pinotage is the child of Pinot Noir and Cinsault, two naturally lighter, more aromatic grapes. So why make it like Cabernet Sauvignon? His answer is NAT. Light on its feet, fragrant, savoury and quietly…
DetailsSome wines are easy to find. Others are as rare as hoendertande, chicken teeth. De Kleine’s Hoendertande Grenache Noir 2023 belongs firmly in the latter camp. Produced in tiny quantities and recently awarded 94 Points by Greg Sherwood MW, this beautifully expressive Grenache comes from the producer behind not one, but two of Platter’s 2026 Wines of the…
Details“Hey You, take a photo of me!” That was the instruction shouted through a car window on the Cape Flats to the photographer whose image would eventually become the label for Jasper Raats’ Skebenga. In South Africa, Skebenga roughly translates to gangster, rogue or scoundrel, and somehow the name fits the wine perfectly. Wildly characterful and unmistakably Cape,…
DetailsIt’s Bordeaux En Primeur season once again. Collectors, critics and merchants are busy debating barrel samples, chasing scores and securing allocations that won’t land in cellars for years to come. But while the fine wine world focuses on what might become tomorrow’s great Bordeaux, we prefer not to forget one important thing: Some Bordeaux is already drinking…
DetailsSome wines get sold on shelves. Others end up on the world’s best tables. Today, Spioenkop belongs firmly in the latter camp. From FYN in Cape Town to CORE by Clare Smyth and Ikoyi in London, Spioenkop has quietly become one of South Africa’s most sought-after fine wine producers. And once you taste them, it’s…
DetailsWhen we offered Axle Chenin Blanc 2025 on pre-arrival earlier this year, it was quickly secured by those who knew what to expect. It has now landed in the UK, and availability is already tightening. We began with an allocation of just over a quarter of the total 6,000-bottle production, and close to half has…
Details“I taste a renaissance. The ‘cool wines of the Cahors’?” – Tamlyn Currin. For years, Cahors was defined by its reputation: powerful, tannic Malbecs that demanded patience. But as Tamlyn Currin recently observed, a quiet revolution is underway — one that’s reshaping the identity of this historic region into something far more compelling: wines of…
Details“Our vineyard teaches us humility. The 2023 harvest made the truth of this lesson unmistakably clear.” – Mike Ratcliffe For Vilafonté, every vintage is a negotiation with nature, but rarely has a deal been so finely struck as it was in the lead-up to these newly released 2023 wines. A long, measured growing season, meticulous…
DetailsSouth Africa’s vineyards don’t just produce remarkable wines, they exist within one of the most extraordinary ecosystems on earth. The Cape Floral Kingdom, a biodiversity treasure found nowhere else, is both the backdrop and the responsibility of the country’s winemakers. As Tamlyn Currin highlights in her latest report for Jancis Robinson MW, this is a wine…
DetailsFew producers have reshaped the perception of a grape quite like Comando G. Founded by Daniel Landi and Fernando García in Spain’s Sierra de Gredos, the project set out to revive old Garnacha vines scattered across the region’s granite slopes, vineyards largely abandoned as the variety fell out of favour. Inspired by Burgundy’s reverence for…
DetailsFollowing the remarkable response to our two 96-point pre-arrival wines, we are delighted to introduce three more standout bottles from the Decanter report, all available now and exclusive to Museum Wines in the UK. From the refined elegance of Swartland’s Swerwer Red Blend, to the structured Helderberg power of Uva Mira’s Fox’s Lair, and the bold Rhône-inspired Cinravèdre from De Kleine…
DetailsKann ich mehr Riesling bitte? Our first encounter with a well-aged Riesling – that unmistakable citrus lift, racy acidity and faint whisper of petrol – sparked something close to Torschlusspanik (the fear that time is running out). If it had taken us this long to realise how complex, layered and compelling Riesling can be, what else might we be…
DetailsSouth Africa’s red blends are enjoying a remarkable moment in the global spotlight, and a recent Decanter panel tasting confirmed exactly why. In a comprehensive blind tasting of 90 wines, an extraordinary 60% scored 90 points or higher, underscoring the Cape’s reputation as one of the world’s most exciting sources of character, quality and value. Leading the pack…
DetailsFew estates in Stellenbosch have defined modern Cabernet Sauvignon with such quiet authority as Stark-Condé Wines. From their dramatic vineyards in the Jonkershoek Valley, owner José Condé and his team have built a reputation as one of South Africa’s most focused premium Cabernet producers — and nowhere is that ambition more evident than in their…
DetailsTwo of our most popular Bordeaux have just landed back in stock, and they’re available both online and in-store while they last. (Our 10% off any 6 bottle order discount also applies in store.) From the sixth-generation Meyre family in the heart of the Médoc comes Château Julien 2020 (£19.99) and its immensely drinkable sibling Petit Julien 2022 (£14.99) , wines that…
DetailsFew winemakers in the Cape command the quiet authority of Adam Mason. From shaping the legacy of Klein Constantia to consulting for heritage names like Vriesenhof and now steering the wines of Terre Paisible, Mason’s touch is unmistakable, precise, polished and profoundly expressive. Nowhere is that mastery clearer than in the 2021 Vigne d’Or Red Blend.…
DetailsWe are proud to introduce Eisen & Viljoen, a striking new Franschhoek estate brand rooted in one of the Cape’s most historic properties: Normandie Est. 1693, one of the original 29 French Huguenot farms in the valley. Now in the hands of internationally acclaimed fashion designer Mark Eisen and former Vinpro viticultural consultant turned winemaker Johan Viljoen,…
DetailsSome wines are born of place. Others are born of a journey. Paserene Wines is both. Founded in 2013 by third-generation winemaker Martin Smith and businessman Ndavhe Mareda, Paserene represents the culmination of a remarkable global apprenticeship. From a cork factory in Portugal to flying vintages across America, five years at Newton Winery in Saint Helena, and…
DetailsTime is running out to make your glass count. Franschhoek — a valley defined by old vines, mountain drama and centuries of reinvention, is rebuilding after devastating wildfires. For the entire month, we’ve pledged to donate 50% of all profits from Franschhoek wine sales to fire recovery initiatives. Now, with just two weeks remaining until 28 February,…
DetailsWe’ve just secured a special parcel of Cotes de Provence rosé at a significantly reduced price meaning we can pass that discount onto our customers. Chapoutier are one of the most well known and respected names in French wine production and this Cotes de Provence would ordinarily retail at around £20 per bottle but we’re…
DetailsFranschhoek does many things beautifully, dramatic mountain backdrops, world-class hospitality, culinary brilliance, but increasingly, it does Semillon better than almost anywhere else in the Southern Hemisphere. Once overlooked, now revered, Semillon has emerged as the quiet hero of this storied valley. Home to four of South Africa’s ten centenarian vineyards (three of them Semillon – one recently threatened by…
DetailsSome wines feel even more meaningful at the right moment. We’ve just received the 2021 vintage of Stony Brook Vineyards’ The Max Red Blend, a proven top seller and a true expression of Franschhoek. With the valley still reeling from recent wildfires, we’re donating 50% of profits from all Franschhoek wine sales to fire recovery efforts helping estates and…
DetailsIn Case You Missed It… Over the past weeks, Franschhoek has faced one of the most devastating fire seasons in its history. Estates, vineyards, homes and working cellars, many woven into the fabric of South African wine, have suffered damage that will take years, not months, to repair. At Museum Wines, Franschhoek is not just a name…
DetailsYears of tasting, travelling and trusting his instincts have taught Museum Wines’ Managing Director Daniel Grigg one simple truth: exceptional wines announce themselves quietly, if you know how to listen. This month’s Wined-Up Merchant pick is a textbook example. Domaine La Bosque is a little-known (for now), fiercely principled estate tucked into the oak-lined slopes of Saint-Chinian…
DetailsOver the past weeks, Franschhoek has faced one of the most devastating fire seasons in its history. Estates, vineyards, homes and working cellars, many woven into the fabric of South African wine, have suffered damage that will take years, not months, to repair. At Museum Wines, Franschhoek is not just a name on a label. It’s a…
DetailsWhen winter tightens its grip, we naturally gravitate toward deeper, heartier wines. But every so often, a truly great rosé reminds us why this category conquered the world in the first place, offering not just refreshment, but comfort, texture, and pure drinking pleasure. Enter M by Famille Sumeire, Provençal Rosé 2024, one of our all-time best sellers, back…
DetailsFor more than a week now, wildfires have raged through the Franschhoek Valley, a place as spellbinding as it is vulnerable. With the Chamonix Manor House and offices tragically lost, and fires still out of control, old vine vineyards, historic farm structures and livelihoods remain under very real threat. At this stage, the full extent of…
DetailsSome wines are designed for market. Others are made simply because someone wanted a glass of something good at home. Axle Chenin Blanc began as the latter. In 2018, Alex Milner made a small amount of Chenin Blanc at Natte Valleij for his wife — his only white wine, from a single old, ocean-facing Darling…
DetailsFrom now on, we’ll be open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm, making it easier than ever for the wine lovers we’ve cultivated over the years to drop in, collect, browse, or enjoy a proper conversation about what’s drinking well now, and what’s worth laying down. Our doors are open, the shelves are stocked, and our commitment…
DetailsThe festive countdown is officially on. To make sure your wines arrive in time for Christmas celebrations, please place your orders by midday on Thursday, 18 December, for guaranteed delivery by 24 December. As always, Museum Wines is here to make the season easy, with extended festive trading hours, expert recommendations, and 10% off any six bottles, pick &…
DetailsWith Christmas just around the corner, this is your gentle nudge (and friendly warning) that our festive delivery cut-off is midday, Wednesday 18 December 2025, to ensure your wines arrive safely in time for Christmas Eve, 24 December. If you’re planning a well-stocked table, a few thoughtful gifts, or simply don’t want to face the holidays without…
DetailsSome estates don’t just make wine — they make history. Overgaauw is one of them. As the producer of South Africa’s very first bottled single-varietal Merlot, Overgaauw helped shape the modern Cape fine wine story long before Merlot was fashionable. After years of quiet rebuilding, the historic Stellenbosch estate has returned to the UK export…
DetailsThis festive season, forget socks, soap sets and novelty Santa boxers, the ultimate stocking stuffer for your favourite wine-geek (or, let’s be honest, for yourself) is finally here. We’ve just unpacked a treasure trove from Equipo Navazos, the cult Sherry collective that has turned the forgotten corners of Andalusia’s great bodegas into liquid gold. Born from a group…
DetailsExceptional wine shouldn’t be an annual indulgence, and with our New Best Everyday Deals—10% off any 6 bottles—it doesn’t have to be. And there’s no better place to start than with two extraordinary new arrivals from Spioenkop, one of Elgin’s most compelling and conversation-worthy producers. Belgian-born Koen Roose has been crafting some of South Africa’s most distinctive cool-climate wines…
DetailsFrom Portugal’s clay amphorae to Hungary’s volcanic slopes, four new arrivals that fill the gaps and expand your glass. Museum Wines has always been about finding bottles with a story, wines that connect place, history, and character. Our latest arrivals from Hungary and Portugal do just that, offering you a guided tour through regions that have shaped European winemaking…
DetailsYesterday saw the launch of the 2026 Platter’s by Diners Club SA Wine Guide — the 46th edition of South Africa’s most trusted wine compass, unveiled once again at Eben Sadie’s shrine to Swartland terroir in the Aprilskloof. And among the thousands of wines assessed by Platter’s 15-strong tasting panel (nearly 8,000 each year!), one name rang out twice…
DetailsNew Arrivals Van Hunks Bubbles Fresh off the water and fizzing with folklore, our new Sparkling wine from Van Hunks has landed, and it brings more than just brilliant bubbles under £15. Named for Jan van Hunks, the pipe-puffing rogue who once out-smoked the devil himself, these bubbles carry the true spirit of the Cape…
DetailsIf you’ve followed Uva Mira’s journey, you’ll know that every wine here begins with altitude and ends in elegance. Under winemaker Christiaan Coetzee’s deft touch, now in his 13th vintage, these mountain-grown wines channel both power and precision — the porcelain edge of the Helderberg. It was here, on a misty morning among the fynbos islands preserved…
DetailsBetween the Gironde estuary and the Atlantic lies the prestigious Médoc region — Bordeaux’s historic left bank where centuries of gravel-rich soils, maritime breezes and skilled winemaking have shaped some of the world’s most revered wines. (For a full historical overview of the Médoc appellation, see here.) Museum Wines is delighted to partner with Vins…
DetailsThis Thursday, we’re popping the corks on one of Champagne’s most storied names, Pol Roger, at an exclusive tasting at Museum HQ. From Brut Réserve to Blanc de Blancs, Vintage and Rosé, you’ll discover why Sir Winston himself called it “the world’s most drinkable address.” But before we pop the bottles, there’s a final Spanish flourish, our limited offer on…
DetailsThe Winshaw Legacy Continues | New 2021 Releases Rated 95 & 96 Points Few wine stories in Stellenbosch carry the weight, or the romance, of the Winshaw name. From runaway Kentuckian Dr William Charles Winshaw, founder of Stellenbosch Farmers Winery, to great-grandsons Pierre and J.P., who now farm Klein Welmoed with cattle, chickens, and vines in regenerative harmony, this is a…
DetailsThe Season Starts Here. Our Annual Christmas Tasting at Museum HQ. The festive season kicks off at Museum HQ on the 7th and 8th of November with our annual Christmas Tasting — a relaxed, drop-in celebration of everything we love about good wine and good company. Across two days, we’ll be pouring a curated line-up of wines at…
DetailsThe festive season is upon us, and we’re opening the doors at Museum HQ for a series of unmissable wine (and whisky!) events designed to toast the year in true Museum Wines style. From Champagne evenings with Pol Roger to Bordeaux drop-ins and a Christmas tasting weekend, our calendar is packed with opportunities to discover new favourites, meet the people…
DetailsLast chance to stock up, offers end at midnight, 26 October. We’re down to the final week of our Black Friday in October Sale, and this is your last chance to take advantage of offers that won’t be repeated. To close out the month, we’ve added a final wave of exceptional wines — from Overgaauw’s benchmark Merlot…
DetailsDe Kleine Wijn Koöp is back with a fresh cast of characters — wines as wild, witty, and wonderfully expressive as the stories behind them. From their new home in the Witzenberg Mountains, Wynand and Anya Grobler continue to redefine what small-batch, artisanal South African wine can be. Meet the new creatures: Kreatuur Cinravédre 2023, Die Posman…
DetailsHave you ever gone walkabout? In Australia it describes the coming of age journey of an Aboriginal child, though it can also describe unexplained absences of any kind, a nomadic predisposition to wander aimlessly, though perhaps ‘aimlessly’ is the aim in itself, and thus not aimless at all. We’ve gone walkabout and sourced some truly…
DetailsNew Wines Just Landed in Our October Black Friday Sale Our Black Friday in October Sale just got even bigger. We’ve added a fresh wave of insider bottles at incredible prices – and they won’t stick around long. This new drop includes cult South African favourites like Naudé Grenache 2020, Oupa 19 & 20, Swerwer Chenin 2022, and Sakkie Mouton’s Vloedvlak…
DetailsExpertly sniffed out, seriously good value, and just a little under the radar. We’ve added three new French wines to the portfolio, not the obvious big names, but bottles from producers who punch way above their price. The kind our team loves to unearth: character, pedigree, and real value without the markup of the usual suspects.…
DetailsFrom Portugal’s clay amphorae to Hungary’s volcanic slopes, four new arrivals that fill the gaps and expand your glass. Museum Wines has always been about finding bottles with a story, wines that connect place, history, and character. Our latest arrivals from Hungary and Portugal do just that, offering you a guided tour through regions that have shaped European…
DetailsWhy wait until November? We’re rolling out Black Friday in October – a full month of unapologetically bold offers on a lineup of insider wines you won’t find in your local supermarket. From cult South African names like Naudé, Natte Valleij, and Minimalist Wines to international gems like Guidalberto from Tenuta San Guido, Langhe Nebbiolo, and fresh Rías Baixas Albariño,…
DetailsEclectic, acclaimed, and exclusively sourced by Museum Wines. This month’s top five sellers prove just how dynamic South African wine has become. Three hail from the Helderberg, a hotspot where reputation meets altitude; the others showcase just how eclectic our producers can be—Cinsault from Darling, Sangiovese from Polkadraai, and a finely tuned blend from Franschhoek.…
DetailsWe’ve unpacked our boxes in our new Salisbury home and lined the shelves with something a little different: a fresh range of wines under £8 and £15. That’s right, professionally sourced, from the UK’s SA Specialist Retailer four years running, and priced so there’s no excuse for your wine rack to sit bare. Add to that 10% off…
DetailsWe’ve Landed in Salisbury! After more than a decade of trading from our converted barn in Tarrant Hinton, Museum Wines is thrilled to announce that our brand-new warehouse store in Salisbury is now open. You’ll find us at Unit 2, Paxton Business Centre – right next door to Pritchett’s Butcher – open 9am–5pm Monday to…
DetailsIntroducing Longridge: Helderberg Purity Meets Biodynamic Precision New from South Africa – the soulful, biodynamic wines of Longridge We’re thrilled to welcome Longridge Wines to the Museum Wines portfolio – a producer whose work on the slopes of Stellenbosch’s Helderberg mountain represents some of the most exciting and soulful winemaking coming out of South Africa…
Details“My philosophy is simple: I want to make wines that I like and can make without any restrictions or guidelines.” – Jasper Raats. The Jasper Raats range, crafted by the acclaimed Longridge winemaker, is a collection of single-vineyard wines from small, carefully chosen parcels in the Helderberg. Sometimes stylistically unexpected, these wines push boundaries—both for…
DetailsThey’ve just landed – new vintage releases from one of South Africa’s most iconic estates: Lanzerac. Founded in 1692 and renamed in the 1920s by the formidable Mrs. Elizabeth English, Lanzerac is steeped in history—but it’s best known for making it. In 1961, the estate released the world’s first bottled Pinotage, forever securing its place…
DetailsWe’re thrilled to welcome another bold new South African name to the Museum Wines portfolio—Van Hunks, a premium sparkling brand steeped in Cape folklore and fizzing with personality. Inspired by the legendary Jan van Hunks, retired sea captain, notorious pipe smoker, and accidental challenger to the Devil himself, this Stellenbosch-based brand brings a spirited new…
DetailsSouth Africa is producing some of the most thrilling white wines in the world right now—and we’ve just taken receipt of two of the finest new releases at an exceptional price. 🌿 Stark-Condé Field Blend 2024 95 Points & Gold Medal | Decanter World Wine Awards 2025 From the singular Jonkershoek Valley, this certified organic…
DetailsWe’re proud to announce the arrival of the maiden releases of New Dawn Wines – the long-anticipated solo project from acclaimed winemaker Rüdger van Wyk. After leaving Stark-Condé in 2023, Rüdger has launched his own range that reflects not only his exceptional talent but a new era in South African wine – bold, inclusive, and…
DetailsWe’re thrilled to introduce a true icon of South African winemaking to the Museum Wines portfolio: Beeslaar Wines, the personal label of legendary winemaker Abrie Beeslaar, who spent 23 vintages at the helm of Kanonkop and was named IWSC International Winemaker of the Year no less than four times. Crafted with his wife Jeanne, Beeslaar…
DetailsNow Pouring: Hazendal Rosé by Kiara Scott — £18.99 We’re delighted to welcome Hazendal Estate to the Museum Wines portfolio, and with it, the luminous return of Kiara Scott. Formerly of Brookdale and now head winemaker at the historic Hazendal Estate in the Bottelary Hills of Stellenbosch, Kiara made history in 2024 as the first…
DetailsA Chenin Worth Hunting Down + New Cinsault Just Landed We’re thrilled to share that the Natte Valleij Axle Chenin Blanc 2024 has just been named Jancis Robinson MW’s Wine of the Week, with critic Tamlyn Currin calling it “a wine worth hunting down.” A benchmark for New Wave South African white wine, this latest…
DetailsA wine competition that actually matters. Earlier this year, Tamlyn Currin of Jancisrobinson.com travelled to Paarl, South Africa as one of three international judges at the Investec Trophy Wine Show 2025. She has since written about the experience for the magazine, calling it “profoundly different from most wine competitions”, a showcase not only of South…
DetailsAfter over a decade of operating from our converted barn in Tarrant Hinton, we’re excited to announce that Museum Wines is relocating to Salisbury this September. The move presents a unique opportunity: our new offices and warehouse store will be located right next door to Pritchett’s Butcher at Unit 2, Paxton Business Centre. Together, we’ll…
DetailsMilner Keeps Stacking Scores: Stellenbosch Cinsault 2023 Now In Alex Milner’s hot streak rolls on. Fresh off Tamlyn Currin’s feature on Natte Valleij, the Stellenbosch Cinsault 2023 lands 17.5/20 on JancisRobinson.com and 95 points from Greg Sherwood MW and Tim Atkin MW—joining a string of top-rated single-vineyard Cinsaults (and that luminous Axle Chenin). Think damask…
DetailsIn July, the first-ever Steenwold Tasting brought together a panel of industry professionals to reassess South Africa’s now-iconic 2015 vintage, ten years on, and tasted blind. What emerged was nothing short of a watershed moment for South African wine. Neal Martin, writing for Vinous, summed it up simply: “If the aim of this event was…
DetailsThe West Coast Just Got Wilder – Sakkie Mouton 2024 Releases Are Here We’re thrilled to announce the arrival of two remarkable new releases from one of South Africa’s most electrifying young winemakers – Sakkie Mouton. His wines have become cult classics, known for their racy acidity, salty precision and West Coast soul. Now, with…
DetailsAt the very end of the Hemel-en-Aarde road, where the wildflowers meet the wheat fields and the Orothamnus zeyheri marsh rose blooms only once a year, lies Thamnus Wines—a regenerative Cape South Coast farm producing two of South Africa’s most exciting new wines. Crafted by PJ Geyer, ex-flying winemaker for Bordeaux’s legendary Moueix family (Château Petrus), Thamnus Chardonnay and Pinot…
DetailsIts growth potential is better suited to the changing Stellenbosch climate than its Bordeaux-stablemate, Merlot and a few key producers have started cottoning on to its unique expression here. Among them, none other than our historic Stellenbosch family, the Winshaws. Their Malbec offered Greg Sherwood MW a unique moment of insight in a recent tasting, proven true on…
DetailsSouth Africa’s top producers released some of the finest vinous expressions they’ve ever produced… While 2023 remained a challenging year economically for all, it also, as luck would have it, saw South Africa’s top producers release some of the finest vinous expressions they have ever produced, forcing collectors and connoisseurs to dig into their pockets…
DetailsKoen Roose is known as the eccentric Belgian who makes wine in Elgin. He’s named three of his wines for notable South African women, including the warrior Queen Manthatisi of the BaThlokwa, who ruled from 1813 to 1824. In her heyday, it is estimated she ruled over 40,000 people and succeeded in keeping her people…
DetailsMalbec in France is one of the 5 recognized Bordeaux blend grapes, generally grown in the Cahors region and GENERALLY quite leathery and acidic, with flavours of tart currant, black plum, black pepper, and spice. Best used as a blending component. In ARGENTINA, Malbec is fruit-forward with flavours of blackberry, plum, and black cherry, nuanced…
DetailsSouth Africa is slowly redefining the borders and wards of its winemaking regions. One might argue that the freedom to do so is one of South African wine’s superpowers. Through the redefining and pioneering of new wards and regions, we are capable of producing ever more refined wines, uniquely suited to its terroir and patiently…
DetailsBrookdale Estate is situated on the Hawequa Bos Pad in Paarl, just down the road from one of South Africa’s historic wine farms, Nederburg. There, the young Kiara Scott, a Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé, previous assistant winemaker to Duncan Savage, and now Brookdale winemaker, is reimagining what Paarl wine truly means. Or at least, their little slice…
DetailsThe Winshaw brothers Pierre and JP Winshaw of the Stellenbosch property, Klein Welmoed, make Usana wines and, more recently, their more premium Winshaw Vineyards label. The great-grandsons of Dr. William Charles Winshaw, founder of the Stellenbosch Farmers Winery (later Distell), and grandsons of Bill Winshaw, a key figure in the production of most of SA’s iconic heritage wines, think…
DetailsAs your fine wine specialist, you can count on Museum Wines to identify and source some of the world’s finest wines. Case in point, this allocation of Lopez de Heredia’s Viña Tondonia Tinto Reserva 2011. The brand is known as the poster child for traditional Rioja winemaking. If you know Rioja and Tempranillo, you know…
Details“I was his tennis friend.”- Ernest Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises. With Wimbledon’s Ladies’ Singles Final today, we remembered a lovely afternoon spent with Alex Milner of Natte Valleij on the farm on the slopes of the Simonsberg. They have a tennis court that presented a tennis-themed photo opportunity, though the only serve we were interested…
Details“It was a tasting conceived of more than a year ago and which took over six months of intricate planning to execute without any hitches. The Museum Wines Benchmark South African Tasting at the South African High Commission 2023 was certainly a memorable event, one which the producers who attended in person, the trade, press,…
DetailsCelebrating the Great Right Bank Bordeaux Reds of St Emilion and Pomerol While not quite as significant an event in the global fine wine calendar as it used to be in years gone by due to more and more top chateaux wines being held back and sold later once bottled, the annual En-primeur tastings do,…
DetailsAlex Milner of Natte Valleij just completed a 752km bike ride from the Cape to Nieu-Bethesda, where the annual Karoo Stoep Tasting was held this past weekend. * The above is a picture from his time on the road, from the middle of nowhere with Stellenboschvlei to the right. A cyclist with a minor in winemaking,…
Details“He couldn’t believe it was only Wednesday. And it was made worse when he realized it was actually Tuesday.”― T.J. Klune, The House in the Cerulean Sea. One of the functions of a Specialist Wine Merchant is that no matter the price point, we’ve ensured the wines on offer are a smart and thoughtful addition to your cellar and…
DetailsLet our trusty guide Greg Sherwood MW help with this, his 17th edition of An Informed Opinion. Trust him to keep your wine selection relevant, nuanced, and engaging, which in these trying times, is a necessary service. Keep an eye out and see what appeals on the day, be it an investment, something eclectic, or a sure thing midweek wine – you’re bound to…
DetailsLet our trusty guide Greg Sherwood MW help with this, his 16th edition of An Informed Opinion. Trust him to keep your wine selection relevant, nuanced, and engaging, which in these trying times, is a necessary service. Keep an eye out and see what appeals on the day, be it an investment, something eclectic, or a sure thing midweek wine – you’re bound to…
DetailsLet our trusty guide Greg Sherwood MW help with this, his 15th edition of An Informed Opinion. Trust him to keep your wine selection relevant, nuanced, and engaging, which in these trying times, is a necessary service. Keep an eye out and see what appeals on the day, be it an investment, something eclectic, or a sure thing midweek wine – you’re bound to…
DetailsLet our trusty guide Greg Sherwood MW help with this, his 15th edition of An Informed Opinion. Trust him to keep your wine selection relevant, nuanced, and engaging, which in these trying times, is a necessary service. Keep an eye out and see what appeals on the day, be it an investment, something eclectic, or a sure thing midweek wine – you’re bound to…
DetailsLet our trusty guide Greg Sherwood MW help with this, his 13th edition of An Informed Opinion. Trust him to keep your wine selection relevant, nuanced, and engaging, which in these trying times, is a necessary service. Keep an eye out and see what appeals on the day, be it an investment, something eclectic, or a sure thing midweek wine – you’re bound to…
DetailsWine aficionados Allan Lambe and Joanne are hosting a fine wine and dining trip to South Africa from the 21st of November – the 30th of November 2023. With 4 spots left, we thought we’d offer you the opportunity to join in! Proposed Schedule Day 1 – 21st November 2023 Arrive at Cape Town International…
DetailsLet our trusty guide Greg Sherwood MW help with this, his 12th edition of An Informed Opinion. Trust him to keep your wine selection relevant, nuanced, and engaging, which in these trying times, is a necessary service. Keep an eye out and see what appeals on the day, be it an investment, something eclectic, or a sure thing midweek wine – you’re bound to…
DetailsAlheit Vineyards is a name mentioned in hushed tones, for no sooner are their vintages released than they are sold out. Therefore better not mention this to everybody. Champions of South African white varieties, which they argue were being planted in the Compagnie Tuine sometime before there was ever any Cabernet Sauvignon growing in the Medoc,…
Details“For many wine producers, the most important characteristics they look for from their exclusive global distribution agents is a shared sense of purpose, a synergy of vision, and an ongoing commitment to grow together as wine ranges evolve from one vintage to the next. At Museum Wines, we are fortunate enough to work with some…
DetailsLet our trusty guide Greg Sherwood MW help with this, his 11th edition of An Informed Opinion. Trust him to keep your wine selection relevant, nuanced, and engaging, which in these trying times, is a necessary service. Keep an eye out and see what appeals on the day, be it an investment, something eclectic, or a sure thing midweek wine – you’re bound to…
Details“‘The distance between insanity and genius is measured only by success.’ If that quote could be applied to just one winemaker, it would be André van Rensburg. Never one for mediocracy, he has, over the years, often been accused of being obsessive in the pursuit of his vinous vision, and so the madman image has stuck…
DetailsLet our trusty guide Greg Sherwood MW help with this, his 10th edition of An Informed Opinion. Trust him to keep your wine selection relevant, nuanced, and engaging, which in these trying times, is a necessary service. Keep an eye out and see what appeals on the day, be it an investment, something eclectic, or a sure thing midweek wine – you’re bound to find something to suit your…
DetailsLet our trusty guide Greg Sherwood MW help with this, his 8th edition of An Informed Opinion. Trust him to keep your wine selection relevant, nuanced, and engaging, which in these trying times, is a necessary service. Keep an eye out and see what appeals on the day, be it an investment, something eclectic, or a sure thing midweek wine – you’re bound to find something to suit your…
DetailsLet our trusty guide Greg Sherwood MW help with this, his 8th edition of An Informed Opinion. Trust him to keep your wine selection relevant, nuanced, and engaging, which in these trying times, is a necessary service. Keep an eye out and see what appeals on the day, be it an investment, something eclectic, or a sure thing midweek wine – you’re bound to…
DetailsIt’s here, February, and thank God. The year that was January is over, and we can finally get stuck into the new year with purpose. Let our trusty guide Greg Sherwood MW help with this, his 7th edition of An Informed Opinion. Trust him to keep your wine selection relevant, nuanced, and engaging, which in these trying times, is a necessary service.…
DetailsWith February in sight, dry January should be in the rearview mirror by now, and our celebratory sale something to wash away those January blues. If you’re after something specific, however, let our trusty guide Greg Sherwood MW help with this, his 6th edition of An Informed Opinion. You can trust him to keep your wine selection relevant, nuanced, and engaging. Which in…
DetailsOur trustworthy guide Greg Sherwood MW helps navigate the complicated world of wine in the fifth instalment of his three-wines-a-week series, An Informed Opinion. Mid-January at Museum Wines being dry, but only insofar as beautifully DRY wines. Trust him to keep your wine selection relevant, nuanced, and engaging. Which in these trying times seems like a necessary service. We invite you to keep…
Details“On the cusp of the 2021 Burgundy En-primeur releases, lovers of fine boned Pinot Noir and racy Chardonnay need not be frightened off by the high prices and impossible availability of this year’s impending releases. There are alternatives and South Africa with its old-world structure and new world fruit purity offers a surfeit of stunning…
DetailsWhile chestnuts roast on an open fire, and Jack Frost nips at your nose… We thought you might be in the market for some festive reading in the spirit of good wine and conversation starters around the Christmas table. Our findings should be good for at least half an hour of small talk, though WITH the actual wine, you might be set…
DetailsOur trustworthy guide Greg Sherwood MW helps navigate the complicated world of wine in the second instalment of his three-wines-a-week series, An Informed Opinion. Trust him to keep your wine selection relevant, nuanced, and interesting. Which in these trying times seems like a necessary service. We invite you to keep an eye out and see what appeals on the day,…
Details“South Africa is a visceral country.” – Neal Martin wrote in his recent report on South African wine, Growing up and Getting Wiser: South Africa in 2022. Visceral means relating to deep inward feeling rather than intellect, and is the golden thread that defines the great men and women of South African wine. They…
DetailsOur trustworthy guide Greg Sherwood MW helps navigate the complicated world of wine in the fifth instalment of his three-wines-a-week series, An Informed Opinion. Mid-January at Museum Wines being dry, but only insofar as beautifully DRY wines. Trust him to keep your wine selection relevant, nuanced, and engaging. Which in these trying times seems like a necessary service. We invite you to keep…
Details“Once you’re here, you don’t want to be anywhere else.”- Jasper Wickens. The Swartland Independent is a group of like-minded winemakers who make wine according to the principles of “Swartlandness”. Meaning a core set of values that THEY believe will help produce the best possible wines from the area. Things like minimal manipulation in both…
Details“To those out on their own paths, setting little fires.” ― Celeste Ng, Little Fires Everywhere. It was 2013 when the bushfires started for Alex Milner of Natte Valleij. While the Cape is prone to bushfires, I’m not talking about the literal kind, but the light in the darkness kind. Tamlyn Currin of Jancis Robinson…
Details“I tend to read like I drink: all over the place and rarely the same thing twice.” – José Conde. Stark-Condé is a melting pot of American, Japanese, and South African doctrine in the Jonkershoek Valley of Stellenbosch. Though a Valley such as this, given its own diversity, seems uniquely suited to host such wide-ranging…
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