A HIGHLIGHT of any wine festival is the discovery of hidden gems as well as the opportunity to taste established labels that have stood the test of time.

The FNB Mpumalanga Wine Festival, at Nelspruit's Emnotweni Casino and Entertainment Centre last weekend, provided as much a surprise to eager palates as it showcased some of the best South African wines today.

But the real surprise was the presence of the "wine of the moment", the Groot Constantia Chardonnay 2013, which generated much excitement among hundreds of wine lovers who packed the venue during the two days of the show. This vinous gem surprised the world of wine when it was declared the best chardonnay in the world in a competition held in the French wine-making region of Burgundy last week.

Burgundy is the spiritual home of chardonnay and, for Groot Constantia Chardonnay 2013 to beat 825 other chardonnays from 40 countries - nogal the French classics of the genre on their home turf - was no mean feat.

This news, of course, did not take long to reach Mpumalanga as the long queues to the Groot Constantia demonstrated. So was the wine worth the wait in the queues, I asked a gaggle of wine enthusiasts? There was an instant and rousing "Yes-yes" from approving tasters wowed by the wine's endearing and creamy flavours.

Here is the wine that ticked all the right boxes for the French judges in boasting a nose resplendent with characteristic chardonnay aromas, laden with a refreshing fruity palate and hints of delicate and unobtrusive wood.

Currently retailing for about R150 a bottle off the estate, the wine was crafted by the oldest wine-producing wine farm once owned by Simon van der Stel 300 years ago and which is a national monument run by a trust.

Notably, the French were also impressed by another South African wine - Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Chardonnay 2014 - which was handed a gold medal. So there is lot for local chardonnay lovers this year.

If not already, wine lovers may still have to taste De Morgenzon Reserve Chardonnay 2013 that scooped five stars in the 2015 edition of Platter's South African Wine Guide, along with being named the white wine of the year.

Elsewhere in the tasting hall, causing waves, were the usual showstoppers - chiefly Meerlust Rubicon 2010 - as well as a range of pinotage offerings, bubblies and blends.

There was an impressive array too from black-owned wine labels such as M'hudi, Ses'fikile, Libby's Pride, Thembi and Seven Sisters - nearly all run by women. Some of these wines are in their umpteenth editions, showing they have carved a proud place for themselves in the tough industry. They deserve a toast for bringing a new dimension to conventional wine tastes.

Seven Sisters, literally owned by as many siblings, offer an easy-drinking range with particularly fruity notes and a soft palate. Their Pinotage/Shiraz blend 2014 stood out in a line-up of seven wines.