South Africa’s 300 year history of wine making contains a significant modern moment in the late 1990’s when its industrious wine makers shed the memory of a 20th century characterized by jug wines and brandy. And over the subsequent 25 years, South Africa emerged as the veritable leader of the new world wine charge.
Today, South Africa produces an abundance of high quality wines, the styles of which are strongly influenced by the region these are made in. South Africa is the world’s seventh largest wine producer. The regions of Stellenbosch, Cape Town and Franschhoek are at the forefront of South Africa’s modern wine success.
All of these regions are situated in its Western Cape territory in the south west, windswept and cooled by the ocean and benefit from a climate similar to that in the Mediterranean. Wine is also produced in the Northern Cape which falls within the ambit of the Kalahari Desert. South Africa’s evolution of styles of French noble grapes, and unique indigenous grape, Pinotage have allowed it to carve out a niche of producing a range of premium as well as accessible wines.
South Africa makes ripe and elegant expressions of Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The country’s winemakers have turned heads with recent vintages of herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc and barrel aged Chardonnay. South Africa is also far and away the world’s largest producer of white wine variety Chenin Blanc aside from France.
Critics have been fascinated by how South African wines lean towards the old world style even though the industry has embraced the freewheeling new world approach. The country is regarded as the bridge between the old and new world though its own creative wine makers have handed South Africa its own unique vinous niche.
key regions
key regions
Stellenbosch – Stellenbosch is the bright shining pearl of South Africa’s Western Cape. The region’s wine history was shaped in large part by the German and Italian immigrants who settled there at the turn of the 19th century. It is hands down the country’s best maker of Cabernet Sauvignon and is revered for making some fabulous Bordeaux style blends that sell for top dollar, the world over.
Swartland – Swartland is Dutch for Black land and sits just north of Cape Town, carpeted with several miles of vineyard, planted mostly with red grapes like Pinotage and Syrah. The region enjoys dry climate and plenty of sunny days, allowing the grapes to fully ripen and attain deep flavours.
Paarl – Paarl has the distinction of being home to some of South Africa’s best wineries and for good reason. Located north of neighbouring Stellenbosch. Paarl’s vineyards are found on the lower slopes of Paarl Roc and on the northern side of the Simonsberg Mountain. The two mountains provide well-drained granite and shale soils, enabling the vines to nurture fruit of great quality
Elgin Valley – Elgin Valley today trends as South Africa’s most exciting region for good reason The region has succeeded in turning out cool climate styles of the varieties Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The concentration of fruit and depth of expression has surprised critics all round and won Elgin huge acclaim during the 2010s and still does.
key Varietals
key VarietalsPinotage: Cabernet Sauvignon has been a serial winner for South Africa which makes a big bold straight Cab and has achieved resounding success using the reliable red as the leading wine in making premium Bordeaux blends.
Syrah: The South Africans have decidedly digressed from their Aussie counterparts, choosing to make a Syrah in the elegant Rhone Valley style that balances traditional expression with modern touches.
Chardonnay: South Africans love their oaked Chardonnays and have evolved a new world avatar of the Burgundian grape that charms with plenty of fruit and oak matured richness. There’s also some unoaked and refreshing expressions to go around.
Sauvignon Blanc: South Africans have earned high praise for making both the fruity and herbaceous style of ‘Sauv Blanc’ that has adapted perfectly to the local terroir.
Chenin Blanc: This grape has been locally championed more than any other country outside of France, so much so that it’s colloquially called Steen and turns out a screamingly good and fruity white.
Our Handpicked Wineries
Our Handpicked Wineries
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