On Friday evening I attended the launch of the 40th edition of the Diners Club International 2020 South African Wine Guide, at the Table Bay Hotel in the Waterfront, an event that is pretty much the same in format every year, yet was different this year, in the interest of making the event shorter.
More than 8000 wines from more than 900 producers were rated for the 2020 Platter’s Wine Guide edition. Of the 125 5-star wines awarded, 26 went to Chenin Blanc brands, 18 to Shiraz/Syrah, and 11 to Chardonnay brands.
Last night I attended the launch of the ‘Platter’s by Diners Club International 2019 South African Wine Guide’ at the Table Bay Hotel. It was an evening of some surprises, and new awards presented! But one thing was consistent – the Mullineux duo of Chris and Andrea lead this country in its consistent wine award performance, winning Winery of the Year for the third time in the 39 year history of the Platter’s Guide. 
On Tuesday Winemag.co.za awarded 25 Cape Bordeaux Red Blends top scores of 90 and higher, out of 100, the third year that Editor and chairman of the judging committee Christian Eedes has compiled a Report on this wine category. I was unable to attend the function, as I was attending another wine event at the same time, but received the media release, with the results. 
At the presentation of the 2016 Prescient Chardonnay Report at SMITH Studio on Wednesday afternoon, Winemag.co.za Editor Christian Eedes said that South African Chardonnay at the top end had ‘never looked so good‘! The number of awards presented to Chardonnay wines scoring 90 or more out of a quality score of 100 points was testimony to his enthusiasm about the category.
The Clove Club was one of my three London restaurant bookings, having jumped to 26th position in the World’s 50 Best Restaurant list in June, and having been named the highest new entrant (from 55th position last year) this year. It has two Michelin stars. 
