We all have our favourite wines, which we buy and enjoy on a regular basis. There’s nothing wrong with drinking what you like. But do take the opportunity to try something new from time to time. You may find there is something else out there that you will find to your taste.

Here are 4 new wines I’ve discovered during the first few days of 2014. Each of these wines are unique in taste and offers real value for money.

Clos Malverne Ellie Brut Rosé 2011

Lovers of a well-made Méthode Cap Classique style wine will fall in love with this elegant wine, produced from 100% Shiraz grapes. This wine honours the beloved mother of Sophia Pritchard, co-owner of this enduring family-owned wine estate in the Devon Valley outside Stellenbosch. Instead of using the more obvious Cap Classique varietals such as Pinot noir and Chardonnay, winemaker Suzanne Coetzee wanted to create something extraordinary and went the red route. This extraordinary MCC offers refined complexity, earthy fragrances and bursts with sensual finesse.

Price:  R184 per bottle. Available exclusively at the estate.

2011 Doolhof Malbec

Malbec is great alternative to higher priced, and ordinary, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Argentina might lead the way with over 75% of all the acres of Malbec in the world, but this Malbec produced by Doolhof Wines in Wellington, is a fine example of a well made Malbec. The wine does extremely well with blue cheese, mushrooms and leaner red meats, such as Ostrich.

Price: R119 per bottle

Axe Hill Machado 2012 

This unique wine walked away with a Gold Medal & Best in Class at the Cape Port Producers Association Challenge in 2013. The Calitzdorp wine region might be known as the ”Port Capital of South Africa” but many of the producers in the area are experimenting with table wines made from Portuguese varietals. The 2012 Machado, which means axe in Portuguese, is made from Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca, Souzão and a small percentage of Shiraz grapes.

Macushla Pinot Noir Noble Late Harvest 2012

This limited edition dessert wine from Shannon Vineyards in Elgin is not produced every year – in fact, 2012 is only the second vintage release of this distinctive dessert wine. What makes this wine truly special is the fact that it’s the first ever noble late harvest to be made from pinot noir in South Africa – and perhaps even the world. Macushla means ‘my darling’ in Irish, which makes this wine the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day.

Price: R185 for a 375ml bottle