9 great Signature wines

The Woolworths Signature wine range is a collaboration that pairs South Africa's top winemakers with the skills and knowledge of Woolies' wine team. The result is anthology of the very best of local wines, bottled and labeled under the Woolworths Signature wine range. These nine wines showcase the greatest hits of the industry, offered at a fraction of the price compared to wines of similar stature.

Woolworths senior wine buyer Rob Gower explains: "The producer must be recognised for being an expert in their specific cultivar, so we start with a solid foundation, then build on that to create something special. We blend to put the best possible quality wine in the bottle, which would generally sell for three to four times the price you end up paying for a Signature bottle."

The three white wines and five reds create a diverse wine collection offering a bottle for every occasion, and the Cap Classique by Villiera completes the playlist. 

1 SIGNATURE CAP CLASSIQUE

When it comes to producing Cap Classique, Villiera is in a league of its own. Jeff Grier is known for masterfully producing vivacious and extraordinary still and sparkling wines, and the Signature Brut is a great example.

With light citrus notes and bright flavour, it's exceptional on warm summer days, but drinks equally well on cooler days thanks to its brioche flavours. Enjoy it with shellfish or canapés on buttery pastry.

2 SIGNATURE CHENIN BLANC

Ken Forrester, the shaman of Chenin, says this wine has a hint of sea salt, offering a savouriness that balances well with the subtle tones of melon and baked apple.

"The Signature Chenin is a luxury experience. Treat yourself - get those prawns you've always wanted and fry them in butter and garlic with a hint of freshly chopped chilli to enjoy with this wine."

3 SIGNATURE CHARDONNAY

This wine by premier Robertson Chardonnay house De Wetshof combines flavours and aromas of citrus with minerality to add complexity.

The subtle woody notes from ageing in oak balance out the flavours, bringing them together to create a smooth, rich wine that pairs beautifully with food. Think creamy, smoky, rich dishes such as duck, pasta in a creamy garlic sauce, or buttery fish cooked over the braai.

4 SIGNATURE SAUVIGNON BLANC

If a crisp summer's day could be captured and bottled, the result would be this wine. Diemersdal in Durbanville grows the grapes without irrigation. Instead, they are grown under dryland conditions, and surrounded by a cooling mist that rolls in from the Atlantic Ocean.

This means that winemaker Thys Louw has created a Sauvingon Blanc with concentrated flavours, bursting with notes of gooseberries, citrus and tantalising acidity. Sunshine in a bottle, and the perfect pairing for fresh seafood.

5 SIGNATURE CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Gyles Webb from Thelema didn't hold back on fruit-forward flavour when making this wine. Uncorking it instantly releases notes of blackcurrant and spice with an explosion of ripe fruit.

"On the nose, there's classic blackcurrant and toasty oak spice. An elegant, yet concentrated fruit-driven palate gives way to a lingering, ripe finish."

This might be a vegan wine but it pairs beautifully with a medium-rare, charred steak ladened with a rich, home-made Béarnaise sauce.

6 SIGNATURE MERLOT

With hints of floral notes and black cherry with mint and cocoa, this Merlot produced by Johan Jordaan at Spier is the perfect balance between depth of flavour and smooth drinking.

And if you think you can only drink Merlot on cooler days, it's also possible to chill this wine slightly, bringing out a different texture and flavour. Pair it with smoky braaied lamb or herby roast vegetables.

7 SIGNATURE SHIRAZ

This spicy little number by Carl Schultz at Hartenberg Wine Estate is the gift that keeps on giving, with a long-lasting finish that keeps delivering flavour long after you've enjoyed a sip.

You can't miss the peppery, rich dark fruit notes in this wine, perfectly perfumed wth sweet tannins. Enjoy it on its own or with an equally peppery peppered fillet steak or rich beef stew.

8 SIGNATURE PINOTAGE

The team at Beyerskloof who produced this Pinotage say that the full, dark fruit flavour with hints of oak make it a great wine to pair with South Afican classics such as bobotie or an oxtail stew.

Brazen yet smooth with velvety tannins, this wine is full of character and a great example of a South African Pinotage.

9 SIGNATURE RED BLEND

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot are magnificently blended by the wine maestros at Jordan Wine Estate to create a wine that has the perfect balance of fruit, spice and body. This blend pairs well with most savoury dishes, especially rich stews and soups, or enjoy it at your next braai.

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