By Maureen Petrosky

Seeing as it’s almost always sunny in South Africa, they know how to make wines to help you chill out. You’ll find most of this list is white, but that’s just because they make killer whites perfectly suited for swimsuit season. You may also be surprised to find many of these sips are topped with screw caps, proving great wine doesn’t always need a corkscrew.

1. Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc, 2007, $19.99
This wine’s got some serious zip! At first sip your mouth has to adjust to the explosive tangy traits of this lively white but it’s not a one note Sauvignon Blanc. The layers of creamy lemon and lime with luscious tropical fruits like guava and lychee give this girl a complexity that S.B can often lack. It’s got great body and the finish is phenom, leaving you wanting more. By far this is my fave Sauvignon Blanc this summer.

2. Indaba, Sauvignon Blanc $9.99
The Zulu insignia and tribal label is as much fun as the wine inside. It’s easy drinking for now- not later. For under $10, you can’t go wrong with this lean, light introduction to S. A. wine.

3. Thelema Sauvignon Blanc, 2007, $19
This S.B. is a bit more elegant than the above, meaning it’s got a little more of everything, more body, more finish and overall more finesse. It’s perfect with fresh sushi and can even take the heat of wasabi. If you find you fancy the less expensive South African Sauvignon Blancs, splurge for this one and you’ll be glad you did.

4. Brampton Unoaked Chard, 2007, $11
This Chardonnay keeps it real by ditching the oak. The pour is crisp and clean with all the good fruits we love in a Chard including an abundance of apples and pears. But unlike those oaky versions this brings a bit of minerality to the table, making for a very food- friendly pour.

5. Kanu Chenin Blanc, 2007, $12
If you like the acidity of Sauvignon Blanc but just not that much acidity you may fall head over heels in love with Chenin Blanc. It has those same great citrus notes as S.B. but comes with a smoother body and softer finish. This Chenin is no frills which makes it perfect for chips and salsa. It’s clean refreshing and perfect for a hot summer’s eve.

6. Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc, $18
A light yellow sip with a dab of green in the glass, a Chenin Blanc that delivers luscious lemon- lime flavors and makes for a great mate to many foods. The bigger body of this wine is a perfect step away from summer’s lean Sauvignon Blancs and pairs nicely with falls fuller faire.

7. Mulderbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Rose, 2007, $12
While all sorts of products are attempting to "bring sexy back", Mulderbosch has never ceased pouring it’s fill. This bottle is hot in pink, and that’s just the beginning of why we love this wine. This is a dry rose full of fresh strawberries and rose petal aromas. It’s juicy, and served chilled, is the perfect accoutrement to any summer soiree.

8. Kanonkop Kadette, 2006, $13
South African reds are just as dreamy as their whites and this big red proves it. Here you’ll get a taste of the talent Pinotage, their famous red grape, brings to the bottle. This big boy wine is rich and smoky. It has plummy fruit but also some sweeter spice to it. If you like red wine with your BBQ, try this guy on for size.

9. Goats do Roam Red, $9
The entire series of Goats do Roam (a spoof on France’s more serious Cotes du Rhone) are fun drinking wines. This easy going sip is a blend of lots of different grapes giving us a great value for a rich red with juicy fruits from South Africa.

10. Brampton Shiraz, 2006, $13.99
Sometimes you just feel like a screw cap and this bottle delivers from the click of the cap to the last little drop. This red is juicy-licious, with sophisticated character at a rookie red price tag. It smells of tobacco, pepper, and black cherries. It’s great acidity makes it easy to drink- almost too easy in fact.

Note: Prices listed are based on the standard 750 ml bottle, unless otherwise noted and may vary depending on location and proprietor.

Maureen C. Petrosky is author of The Wine Club: A Month-By-Month Guide to Learning About Wine With Friends.

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