We would like to encourage you to taste, buy and enjoy South African wines. If we can help you choose a bottle of wine that excites you, invests, shows off, creates a storm or is simply for your own enjoyment, we think we've done a great job.
Platter's Guide, South Africa's first and best-selling wine guide of the year, is a comprehensive, up-to-date and authoritative guide to people and things in the world of South African wine. Covering hundreds of producers, vintners and brands, as well as thousands of wine models, Platter's Guide packs everything you need to know about South Africa's wine industry into one informative and interesting book.
A print edition of Platter's South African wine guide, updated annually
Platter's Guide was pioneered in 1978 by wine lovers and journalists John and Erica Platter, and the first edition was published in 1980. The Guide now has a jury of 13 professionals and publishes a new edition of the Guide and star wine list every year.
Platter's judging team
The list stars reflect the scores awarded by the wines in the judging. Wines must be rigorously visually evaluated and blinded by an experienced team of experts (i.e. with or without a label). Wines that are named "Best, Best South African Wine Model" will receive a five-star high ranking, equal to 95 or higher on a 100-point scale.
Scores and ratings for different star ratings
The Star Wine List covers a large number of wines with different grape varieties and winemaking styles/methods, reflecting many of the key trends shaping South African wines today. For example, the 2022 Five-Star Wine List reflects a revival and reinterpretation of traditional varieties such as Shenso and Pigeon Cage White; red wines with a lighter texture and lower alcohol content; and the use of clay and concrete containers as alternatives to oak for fermentation and/or aging.
"This is an exciting time for South African wines because of its quality and diversity, and the ability of its wines to attract and satisfy wine lovers and collectors around the world. I am delighted and proud of our five-star lineup and would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all producers on their outstanding achievements. ”
——Philip van Zyl
Platter's Acting Managing Director and Editor
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