Notable Regions
Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch is located just East of Cape Town, it is one of South Africa’s oldest and most respected wine growing areas. The climate is hot and dry with some maritime influence from False Bay in the South. Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant variety of the area and produces world class wines. Cabernet Sauvignon is sometimes blended with Merlot or Shiraz.
Constantia
Constantia is located South of Cape Town on the peninsula. It has a cool maritime climate with decomposed granite soils. Vines were first planted in Constantia in the 1600s. During the 18th century a sweet wine called Vin de Constance became famous in Europe, but with the arrival of the phylloxera epidemic the wine fell out of existence. The area now produces dry red and white wines as well as sweet wines.
Franschhoek Valley
Franchhoek means the French Corner. The town of Franschhoek was founded in 1688 by French Huguenots that settled in the area. The area is flanked on three sides by mountains and the annual rainfall varies from the valley floor to the higher mountain sides. Even with it’s long wine history, Franschhoek was not classified into the South Africa’s Wine of Origin scheme until 2010.
Paarl
Paarl wine district is located north of Stellenbosch and about 60kms east of Cape Town. Paarl district is edged on the West by the Paarl Rock and the East by the Boland Mountains. It is slightly warmer than the Stellenbosch district. The area produces a wide range of wines in both red and white.
Key Varietals
Chenin Blanc
South Africa’s most planted white variety. A versatile variety that can be used to make still dry or sweet wines, as well as sparkling wines. Chenin Blanc has aromas and flavours of apples, honey, citrus, melon, toffee, vanilla, ginger, nuts, and toast.
Food pairing: Chenin Blanc pairs well with roasted vegetables, salads, quiche, mild cheeses, fish, and roast chicken or pork.
Sauvignon Blanc
A popular grape variety in South Africa. A refreshingly crisp wine with aromas and flavours of lemon, lime, passionfruit, freshly cut grass, asparagus, gooseberry, and kiwi notes.
Food pairing: The crisp varietal pairs well with goat cheese, cooked vegetables, fresh salads, and seafood.
Pinotage
Pinotage is a crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsault, created in 1925 by Adam Perold. It is South Africa’s flagship grape variety. Flavours and aromas of black cherry, blackberry, leather, tar, soya sauce, fig, menthol, and chocolate.
Food pairing: This complex and bold varietal pairs well with pizza, mushrooms, teriyaki beef, bbq, and roasted or bbq’d vegetables topped or dipped with a flavourful sauce like plum or teriyaki.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The most planted red wine grape variety in South Africa, it is often described as spanning both Old World and New World wine styles. It is a rich wine that is not overly jammy. A dry wine, high in tannins that produces deep and complex wines with aromas and flavours of plum, dark berries, oak, spice, and smoke.
Food pairing: Cabernet Sauvignon goes well with braised or dried meat including beef or game, mushrooms, roasted vegetables, and cheddar or other hard cheeses.
Did you know?
Chenin Blanc is also known as Steen in South Africa.
Pinotage was developed in South Africa at Stellenbosch University and is a crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsault.
South Africa is the 8th largest wine producing region in the world