South Africa
Regions
South African wine has a history dating back to 1659 with Constantia, a vineyard near Cape Town. Access to international markets led to new investment in the South African wine market. Production is concentrated around Cape Town, with major vineyard and production centres at Paarl, Stellenbosch and Worcester.
There are about 60 appellations within the Wine of Origin (WO) system, which was implemented in 1973 with a hierarchy of designated production regions, districts and wards. WO wines must only contain grapes from the specific area of origin. “Single vineyard” wines must come from a defined area of less than 5 hectares.
An “Estate Wine” can come from adjacent farms if they are farmed together and wine is produced on site. A ward is an area with a distinctive soil type or climate and is roughly equivalent to a European appellation.
Coastal Region
The Coastal Region is a significant wine-producing area in the Western Cape that forms the heart of the South African wine industry. Based around Cape…
View RegionFranschhoek
Franschhoek Valley was settled over 300 years ago by the French Huguenots and is set against the backdrop of the Franschhoek and Drakenstein mountains It…
View RegionStellenbosch
Stellenbosch, 30 miles east of Cape Town, is regarded by many as the red wine capital of South Africa. The Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek valleys…
View RegionWellington & Roberston
Wellington, 45-minutes from Cape Town, stretches over alluvial terraces towards the Swartland’s rolling hills and wheat fields and towards the foothills of the towering Hawequa…
View RegionWestern Cape
Western Cape is a large ‘geographic unit’ of classification, home to the vast majority of the South African wine industry. A wide variety of wines…
View RegionProducts from this country
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The Raptor Post
South AfricaA GSM blend (50% Grenache/39% Shriaz/ 11% Mourvedre) with a Southern Rhone style. Grapes…
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Afrikan Ridge Merlot
South AfricaA nice alternative to entry level Chilean Merlot - a smooth well balanced wine…
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Afrikan Ridge Chenin Blanc
South AfricaGood value, entry level Chenin Blanc showing nice fruit and balance.
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Simon & The Huguenots Sauvignon/Semillon
South AfricaThe wine's name references two important aspects of the history of South African wine…
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Planet Bee Chenin Blanc
South AfricaFriends of the Honey Bee Did you know that bees pollinate over two thirds…
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African Ridge Pinotage
South AfricaFrom the cool climate region of the Breede River Valley, Afrikan Ridge wines are…
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Jasmine Fragrant White
South AfricaFragrant White is what is says on the label. Created to satisfy market demand…
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Solms Astor Langarm Cape Blend
South AfricaA Cape blend of Pinotage, Touriga Naçional, Shiraz, Grenache Noir and Mourvèdre grapes sourced…
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Painted Wolf ‘The Den’ Pinotage
South AfricaThis bridges the styles of the old dense Pinotage and the fruit driven, modern…
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Painted Wolf ‘The Den’ Chenin Blanc
South AfricaA medium weight and rounded style of Chenin with a little oak - flavour-packed,…
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Painted Wolf ‘The Den’ Cabernet Sauvignon
South AfricaA medium to full bodied wine with typical Cabernet flavours of black current and…