TO FIND Some of the best value wines in the marketplace come from countries that are not the most famous for wine production. When we think of wine producers, it's just natural to think of the old world European vintners like those of France, Italy and Germany. It should be noted that the above and many other nations of which we don't automatically think, not only produce fine wines but have been doing so for eons. Among those fine wine producing nations is South Africa. Just when SA wines were making a serious impact here a decade ago, the international trade boycott against SA went into effect and the wines disappeared.
American shoppers have short memories.
By the time the wines were available again, we had gone on to wines from Chile, Bulgaria and New Zealand. The South African wines of the Baobob brand are available in California, Nevada, Oregon and New York, with new markets being added regularly. Highly fruited, dry, pleasant all-purpose white beverage wine. It's a lovely food companion wine for those who prefer fruit to wood. A serious mouthful of Merlot.