If you've ever wondered why South Africa's sweet whites have such a loyal following, start here. Four Cousins Natural Sweet White is the bottle that converted thousands of casual drinkers into fans, a low-alcohol, fruit-forward white that wears its charm on its sleeve and never takes itself too seriously.
Pour a chilled glass and you'll find honeysuckle and ripe apricot on the nose, with nougat and tropical fruit salad following through on the palate. The finish is soft, gentle, and lingers just long enough to make you reach for another sip. There's no oak, no austere acidity, no need to decode anything, just sun-soaked Western Cape fruit, beautifully balanced.
The wine comes from the Retief family at Van Loveren in the Robertson Valley, an inland pocket of the Cape where limestone-rich soils and warm days produce some of South Africa's most generous, fruit-driven whites. Four Cousins itself is the brainchild of two sets of Retief brothers, all cousins, who set out to make wine for everyday tables, and built one of the country's most-loved labels in the process.
It's brilliant as an aperitif on a warm evening, but really comes alive alongside spicy food: think Thai green curry, sweet-and-sour pork, or a fragrant Moroccan tagine. Equally good with fresh fruit and creamy desserts. Delivered chilled-ready to your door anywhere in the UK, it's the kind of bottle you'll keep on hand for unexpected guests, balmy weekends, and that South African friend who's been missing home.
