A Beginners Overview to the Wines of South Africa

South Africa is a special wine-producing country, known for its distinctive combination of old-world traditions and new-world innovation. With winemaking origins dating back to the mid-1600s, South Africa’s vineyards benefit from some of the world's oldest soils, warm climate, and a variety of terroirs. All of these factors contribute to the range of bold red and aromatic white wines of South Africa that have gained international acclaim.

Though we have articles that take a deeper dive look at South Africa, if you are new to the wine-producing county, it is good to start here!

Delheim vineyards & mountains in Stellenbosch

History and Terroir

The first wine grapes were planted by Dutch settlers in 1659 near Cape Town at the Cape of Good Hope. The historic Constantia dessert wine, made from Chenin Blanc grapes, was famous in Europe in the 18th century, showcasing early South African viticulture potential.

The country's varied geography includes ancient granite and shale soils, combined with Mediterranean-type weather with dry summers and wet winters, perfect for quality grape cultivation. Moreover, various microclimates exist due to South Africa's wine regions' proximity to the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, with cool coastal breezes moderating temperatures.

Key Wine Regions

Wine map courtesy of wosa.co.za

Nearly all South African wine is produced in the Western Cape, and the major regions include:

Stellenbosch – The most famed South African wine region, known for its historic Cape Dutch architecture, exceptional red wines, and the birthplace of the iconic Pinotage grape, which is a uniquely South African cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault.

Franschhoek – Famous for its French Huguenot heritage, it produces elegant white wines like Sémillon blends and cool climate wines.

Swartland – Originally grain-producing, this area is now noted for robust reds such as Syrah and old bushvine Chenin Blancs, producing wines with intense character.

Cape South Coast – This cooler coastal region excels in producing quality Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling wines.

Other notable wine areas include Paarl, Constantia, Hemel-en-Aarde, and the Breede River Valley, each with distinct climates and grape specialties.

Prominent Grape Varieties

Currently, there are 87,848 hectares of vines producing wine grapes under cultivation in South Africa, and white varieties constitute 55% of the plantings, with red wine varieties accounting for 45% of the national wine grape yield. With that said, South Africa is especially famous for its "Big Six" cultivars, and here they are, in order of most planted to least:

1. Chenin Blanc: The most widely planted grape, ranging from dry to sweet wines with flavours of green apple, pear, tropical fruits, and honey. Chenin Blanc in South Africa accounts for 18% of its total plantings, and 53% of the world's total production.

2. Cabernet Sauvignon: Rich and structured, with blackcurrant, cherry, tobacco, and cedar notes. It accounts for 11% of the country's vineyards and is the most widely planted red grape in South Africa.

3. Sauvignon Blanc: Crisp and zesty, favoured for its gooseberry and passion fruit aromas, often produced in cooler climate regions. This variety represents 10% of the nation's plantings and is the second most planted variety, after Chenin Blanc.

4. Syrah/Shiraz: Medium to full-bodied with dark fruits and spicy undertones, thriving in warmer regions. This variety represents just under 10% of the nation's plantings.

5. Chardonnay: Offers styles ranging from fresh and unoaked to rich and buttery, with notes of citrus, apple, and vanilla. Chardonnay accounts for roughly 8% of South Africa's vine plantings.

6. Pinotage: A bold, full-bodied red with dark berry, chocolate, coffee, and earthy flavours. Pinotage is distinctly South African. It represents 7.5% of the country's plantings.

Honourable mention goes out to Merlot, a grape that also plays a role in South Africa, even though it does not make the 'Big Six' list. Currently, Merlot accounts for 6% of the country's vine plantings, and it is characterized as a medium-bodied, approachable red.

In all, South Africa produces over 50 different grape varietals.

Other South African Wine Styles

South Africa also produces notable fortified wines such as Cape Port styled wines, with variations like Cape Ruby and Cape Tawny, often aged in wood for rich nutty and fruity complexity.

Additionally, traditional method sparkling wines known as Cap Classique, mainly from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, exhibit elegant citrus and almond nuances and are gaining popularity worldwide, but it is their sparkling Chenin that has me excited.

If you ever get the chance to try a sparkling Chenin Blanc wine from South Africa, know that you will be in for a treat. It is vibrant and refreshing with lively high acidity - a great partner to a bevy of food dishes.

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Be sure to check out our 3-part series on the history of wine in South Africa to go deep and learn more.