Discover the icons of today's South African wine scene with Jason Millar DipWSET.
Event details
South Africa’s winemaking history dates back to 1659. It was this year that Jan van Riebeek harvested the Cape's first grapes, and over the course of its 350-year history, this region in particular has garnered high praise for its wines.
Following the end of Apartheid in 1994 and free elections, developments in South African wine have moved at lightning speed. At this tasting, Jason Millar DipWSET will take stock of thirty extraordinarily dynamic years for the country's winemakers, taking in some of the Cape’s leading wines, from white blends based on Chenin Blanc, old vine Semillon, tightly-allocated Cabernet blends, to Rhône-style Syrah and red blends, barrel-fermented Chardonnay and Bordeaux-styled white wines.
Modern South African wine unites some of the most exciting developments in 21st century wine and, in just three decades, the farmers of the Cape’s vineyards have gone from monolithic state control to producing a dizzying diversity of styles, approaches and terroirs. Jason will showcase a vinous snapshot of some of the finest wines available in South Africa from just a few of the country’s most iconic producers.
Example wine list
- Duncan Savage ‘White Blend’
- Boekenhoutskloof Semillon
- Alheit Vineyards ‘Cartology’ Bush Vines
- Hamilton Russell Chardonnay
- Lismore Estate Reserve Syrah
- Eben Sadie ‘Columella’
- Vilafonté ‘Series C’
- Klein Constantia ‘Vin de Constance’
*Vintages to be confirmed
Tasting level
Masterclass: Our most advanced sessions, suitable for those who have a WSET Level 3 qualification or equivalent knowledge. Gain expert knowledge and insights from a specialist speaker.
About the presenter, Jason Millar DipWSET
Jason Millar is a wine writer, consultant, tasting presenter and wine judge specialising in the wines of Italy and South Africa.
After graduating from Oxford University with a degree in English Literature, Jason worked in publishing for several years before a fateful bottle of Mascarello Monprivato 2003 drew him into the wine trade.
A former company director for independent merchant Theatre of Wine, in 2016 Jason took home three scholarships for the WSET Diploma: the Graham's Port Scholarship, The Vintners' Cup and The Vintners' Scholarship for the top mark globally.
Jason writes and judges for Decanter and other publications, and has a regular column at Drinks Retailing and Harpers Wine & Spirit. You can also find his writing and wine reviews at jasondrinks.com. He is a regular judge at IWSC and Decanter World Wine Awards.
Booking terms and conditions
Payment in full must be made at the time of booking and places are not confirmed until payment has been received. Unfortunately we cannot take provisional bookings.
Cancellations and transfers
- Cancellations and transfers can be made up to two weeks before the event.
- Cancellations within 10 working days are non-refundable and cannot be transferred to another event.
- If you need to change a name on the booking, please give us as much notice as possible.
- WSET School London reserves the right to cancel an event. If necessary, a full refund or transfer will be offered.
Please note: The sample list and speaker/s may be subject to change.