The first Platter Guide was published in 1980. 1981 was skipped for some reason, but after that it was full steam ahead. In fact there was also an Afrikaans edition published in 1982 - which I am sure are collectors' items.

From the thin brick-coloured version in 1980 to the bold puce inch-thick one of 2004, the guide has shown enormous growth in the wine industry.

This year saw the panel tasting almost five thousand wines, of which only seventeen reached the Five Star status.

For the first time this year, Platter has also introduced a Highly Recommended list of wines - of the five thousand tasted, sixty-seven were put forward for Five Star possibilities, but only seventeen achieved, and the rest have the Highly Recommended status not to be sneezed at.

Another first was the introduction of a Wine of the Year award - which went to a white wine - Jean Daneel's Signature Chenin Blanc 2003 .

A couple of newer entries into the Five Star list were Joostenburg with their Chenin Blanc Nobel Late Harvest 2003 and Robertson Winery Wide River Reserve Noble Late Harvest 2001.

The Platter Guide is a wonderful handy tool - with a new list of all the International and South Africa awards and their wines, - Top Performers at a Glance - and extended tourism information about each winery in a useful table.New improved maps are another feature of this edition.

Well done to all at Platter - another great edition!

The Five Star Wines for 2005 are :

1. Axe Hill Cape Vintage Port 2002
2. Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2002
3. Boplaas Wine Cellar Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2002
4. Cape Point Vineyards Semillon 2003
5. Ernie Els 2002
6. Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay 2003
7. Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir 2003
8. Jean Daneel Wines Signature Chenin Blanc 2003
9. Joostenberg Wines Chenin Blanc Noble Late Harvest 2003
10. Jordan Winery Nine Yards Chardonnay Reserve 2003
11. Kaapzicht Estate Steytler Vision 2001
12. Robertson Winery Wide River Reserve Noble Late Harvest 2001
13. Rust en Vrede Estate Wine 2001
14. Sadie Family Wines Columella 2002
15. Steenberg Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2004
16. Vergelegen Semillon CWG 2003
17. Vergelegen White 2003

For more information: www.platteronline.com