We’re not talking any old plonk here
What’s the most expensive South African wine? The answer is anybody’s guess, but a new platform has been set with the sale of Boekenhoutskloof Syrah Auction Reserve 2005 for R900 a bottle. The 23rd Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction in Cape Town this weekend set new record prices for both red and white wines. The auction seems to suggest that wine drinkers are recession-proof. Total sales of R4 935 100 were recorded at the auction, down only slightly by 3% on last year's of R5 085 200. There was, however, a larger spread of prices, with wines from well-known winemakers fetching exceptional prices this year. Marc Kent's Boekenhoutskloof Syrah Auction Reserve 2005 fetched the highest price of R5 400 for a case of six bottles, while a case of John Loubser's Steenberg The White Savage 2008 sold for R3 300. Alan Pick of The Butcher Shop & Grill was the biggest spender for the seventh consecutive year with his tally of R1 327 300., while overseas buyers spent 20% more at just over R1 million this year, the guild said. Other notable sales were: • Engelbrecht Els CWG 2006 - R5 200 • Thelema Auction Reserve 2006 - R4 600 • Beyerskloof Pinotage 2006 - R3 400 • Le Riche Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 - R3 400 • Vriesenhof Pinot Noir 2005 - R3 300 • Rudera Chenin Blanc Noble Late Harvest Auction Reserve - R3 200 • Ataraxia Chardonnay 2007 - R3 000
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