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In the July 31, 2013 Issue

South Africa

South Africa's challenge is to meet the future without abandoning the best of the past. It's a balancing act, and a difficult one. The nation is making better wines than ever thanks to new plantings and the best of old-vine vineyards.

FREE Wine Charts:

South Africa: A free chart offers an alphabetical list of all South African wines reviewed for the tasting report in this issue.

California Chardonnay: A free chart offers an alphabetical list of all California Chardonnay wines reviewed for the tasting report in this issue.

Portugal: A free chart offers an alphabetical list of all Portuguese wines reviewed for the tasting report in this issue.

Cover Story

South Africa: An Emerging Giant - This profoundly beautiful wine region is finding a new path to quality in the post-apartheid era. How a new generation is reshaping South Africa’s destiny, fueled by a flood of energy, technology and investment
FREE: South Africa Alphabetical Listing

WineSpectator.com: More than 530 wines were reviewed for this report. A free alphabetical list is available. WineSpectator.com members can access complete reviews for all the wines tasted using the online Wine Ratings Search.

WineSpectator.com: BONUS CONTENT: To report the cover story, senior editor James Molesworth spent two weeks traveling the Cape, visiting established and pioneering wineries throughout Stellenbosch, Paarl, the frontierlike Swartland, verdant Constantia and out to Walker Bay and beyond. He blogged about each of his stops and sent along video interviews with winemakers at Ataraxia, A.A. Badenhorst Family, Ken Forrester, Glenelly, Kanonkop, de Morgenzon, Mullineux, Marc Kent's new Porseleinberg project, Anthonij Rupert, Thelema and more. Read his South Africa Diary in our January and February blog archives.

Cutting-Edge Vintners - Four who are making a difference
ABCs of South African Wine - The history, the grapes and the appellations explained
Touring the Wine Country - The best wineries to visit, plus top restaurants and hotels
Cape Town
Stellenbosch
Franschhoek, Paarl, Swartland

Features

Tasting Reports

California Chardonnay - Harvest rains dampen the 2011 vintage, as stylistic changes continue to redefine these Golden State whites
FREE: California Chardonnay Alphabetical Listing

WineSpectator.com: More than 425 wines were reviewed for this report. A free alphabetical list is available. WineSpectator.com members can access complete reviews for all the wines tasted using the online Wine Ratings Search.

Portugal's Value Appeal - Quaffable reds abound from the challenging 2010 vintage
FREE: Portugal Alphabetical Listing

WineSpectator.com: More than 340 wines were reviewed for this report. A free alphabetical list is available. WineSpectator.com members can access complete reviews for all the wines tasted using the online Wine Ratings Search.

Entertaining

Best of the Islands - Chef Alan Wong devises a summer-friendly menu filled with Hawaiian delicacies and wines to match

WineSpectator.com: Find hundreds more wine-friendly recipes in our Recipe Search.

Grapevine

Business

Napa’s Mayacamas Vineyards Sold

WineSpectator.com: Keep up with breaking news as well as the people, places and happenings that wine lovers are talking about.

Barossa Valley Winery Changes Hands
Mendocino’s Londer Vineyards Shuttered
General Declaration for 2011 Vintage Port

World

Bordeaux Cuts Futures Prices for 2012s
Montalcino Melee; Bordeaux Smash and Grab

People

Del Frisco’s David O’Day - Del Frisco wine director David O’Day oversees 31 award-winning wine lists
El Bulli Auctions in Hong Kong and New York Raise $2.7 Million
Wine Spectator’s Grand Tour - San Francisco, Las Vegas and Chicago host Wine Spectator's 12th annual Grand Tour.

Chocolate

Understanding Cocoa Butter

WineSpectator.com: Members can reference our full archives of Owen Dugan's columns and other articles on chocolate.

Spirits

Shrub Comeback

WineSpectator.com: Members can reference our full archives of Jack Bettridge's columns and other articles on spirits.

Departments

This Issue/Marvin R. Shanken

This Issue - Marvin R. Shanken

Letters

Feedback

Savvy Shopper

American Values, Smart Buys from Australia and South Africa, Rugged Reds

Columns

James Laube - The magic of Mayacamas terroir

WineSpectator.com: In his blogs, James Laube shares updates from his recent tastings and visits with winemakers, and discusses hot-button issues in the wine industry. Join the conversation with other members.

Matt Kramer - Summer wines made simple

WineSpectator.com: Don't miss Matt Kramer's web-exclusive essays and lively online discussions. (Only members may post comments but all visitors may read them.)

A Perfect Match

Kelly Liken's Red Pepper Bisque With Chardonnay - Chef Kelly Liken, Restaurant Kelly Liken, Vail, Colo.

The Buying Guide

The Buying Guide for this issue is available here.

2013 VIDEO CONTEST Creative with a video camera? Submit your shorts to Wine Spectator's seventh annual Video Contest and you could win great prizes. Our editors will select the finalists, and we'll post them on WineSpectator.com, where viewers can vote for the winning video. The deadline to enter is Sept. 2. Check out the rules and previous years' finalists.

JULY FOURTH PARTY TIPS Set off some fireworks of your own with great new recipes for your outdoor event and affordable wines to match. Wine Spectator editors and renowned chefs share their party picks in our seasonal entertaining features.

NEW ON WINE SPECTATOR VIDEO Tune in each week for a new video. Don't miss these recent additions:

  • Napa Cabernet With Michael Mondavi: Robert Mondavi raised his children in the wine business, and his eldest son, Michael, is following suit. Joined by his son, Rob Jr., Michael discusses Napa Cabernet and the Valley's evolution.
  • Different Shades of Rosé: Provençal rosés are known for being crisp and refreshing. But winemakers rarely rest on their laurels; they are making a spectrum of styles, ranging from traditional wines made in stainless-steel vats to creamy versions made in 100-percent new oak barrels. Paul Chevalier from Château d'Esclans joins managing editor Kim Marcus to taste the distinct differences.
  • Redefining the Douro: Port is probably the first wine that comes to mind when thinking of the Douro, but today wine lovers are discovering the region's table wines. David Baverstock of Herdade do Esporão talks with Kim Marcus about the Douro's heritage, its amazing array of grape varieties and the region's lush new reds.


ADVANCE RATINGS Get the early scoop on the best values and hottest collectibles from our editors' latest tastings.

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