South African wine

a quick guide to
South African wines

 

Insights on
South African wine

Quality

South Africa has a reputation for exporting high quality and commendable mid-quality wines at good-value prices. Mass-market South African wines are also appealingly priced, but are unremarkable.

History in brief

In the 1600s, the French Huguenots brought to South Africa their vines and wine-making skills in the 1600s. The industry slowly developed. It wasn't until after Apartheid that the world began discovering South African wines. Today, the nation is one of the world's top ten wine-producing countries.

South Africa's
top three wine areas

South Africa has over 50 distinct wine areas (officially and somewhat confusingly classified as regions, districts, wards, and geographical units). The top three are near Cape Town on Africa’s southern tip. Look for Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Constantia on the wine label.

Stellenbosch

This is the nation’s finest wine area. It has been called the Napa Valley of South Africa. It vints outstanding white, but excels most in red wines. Stellenbosch is also the country's most scenic wine area and has some fine restaurants. These features make a Stellenbosch wine route trip even more compelling.

Constantia

South Africa’s first vines were planted here. Groot Constantia, the country’s most historical and famous winery, resides here (see photo). Constantia was once noted for its dessert wine that Napoleon relished. Today, Constantia also produces dry red  and white South African wines.

Paarl

It ranks third on the list. Whereas Stellenbosch is largely made up of small-wineries, Paarl mainly has a big-winery infrastructure. It produces whites and Sherry-like fortified wines, but it's best known for its robust red Shiraz wines.

Grapes

Pinotage

This hybrid grape is a South African creation, dating back almost a century. It's a Pinot Noir crossed with a Cinsault (called "Hermitage" locally). It is now enthusiastically planted in Australia, the USA, and other countries.

Other widely grown reds

In order of use: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Merlot.

Widely planted whites

Chenin Blanc (called "Steen" locally) is the workhorse grape of the South African wine industry. It's blended into a variety of wines, sometimes gloriously, sometimes mundanely. Ditto for the Sauvignon Blanc. The Colombard is also broadly planted, but is normally vinted for ordinary wines.

Other notable
South Africa beverages

Cape Brandy

It's a big seller in South Africa. Cape Brandy is appreciably sweeter than typical international-style brandies.

Umgombothi

This moderately potent home-made beer is made with sorghum and other grains. Worth tasting, but expect a sour note.

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©2010 HQP / Hillman Quality Publications