When it comes to value in unusual white cultivars, Semillon was the one that tickled the fancy of our RECM Best Value judges. For those wishing to switch from Sauvignon Blanc which seems to be aimed at “whites only” judging by the complexion of the seven person panel of last month’s First National Blanc Top Ten Sauvignon Bank competition, Semillon is a good multiracial alternative. SBIG, the Sauvignon Bank Interest Group, seems to think the Blanc in the grape’s name refers to the people who drink it and managed to persuade FNB, a national bank, to support their delusion. Incredible!

Rickety Bridge Semillon score 15.40 price R65.00 value R110.00
Ondine Semillon 2014 score 15.30 price R66.00 value R99.00
Drostdy-Hof Stein Select score 14.30 price R35.00 value R46.00
Bergsig Weisser Riesling 2013 score 14.90 price R52.00 value R66.00
Alvi’s Drift Signature Viognier 2015 score 14.70 price R46.00 value R55.00
La Chataigne Semillon 2013 score 15.70 price R110.00 value R130.00

Two of the six laureates hail from Franschhoek, an appellation which rarely uses value for money as a calling card. Darling, Tulbagh and the “wrong side” of the Du Toitskloof tunnel can be expected to deliver more bang for buck as farms are cheaper, salaries smaller and there are less billionaires per block than in French Corner. But at the end of the day, even plutocrats love a deal, which is what Wynand Grobler’s Rickety Bridge most certainly is.