There's a reason why South Africa attracts so much attention from oenologists and wine lovers: across the entire African continent - characterised by scorching temperatures and desert soils - only this country is able to guarantee the suitable climatic conditions for vine growth and winemaking. The result is a varied and quality production, characterised by mature and full-bodied flavours, but also by a pleasant acidity.
Here's everything you need to know about South African wines, with a selection not to be missed!
South African wine production areas: a journey through grape varieties and terroir
Although viticulture in South Africa is an activity that dates back only a few centuries, this country has managed in a short time to develop an interesting production, spread mainly in the Western Cape Province. This area offers the vines what they need to ripen at their best and give wines their own territorial typicity.
What distinguishes South Africa from the rest of the continent is the uniqueness of its climate, similar to the conditions of Mediterranean areas. Warm temperatures are not lacking and favour the birth of full-bodied and mature red wines, but the proximity of the coast mitigates the high temperatures, giving personality and a hint of acidity to white grapes. This particular terroir makes the country the only one in Africa where it is possible to produce wine.
Specifically, the most important South African wine production areas are:
- Stellenbosch: one of the most famous and ancient wine regions, it has a vast vineyard area and various heights that surround the area. Temperatures are rather warm, but the bay provides refreshing breezes. The predominant soils are those composed of granite and sandstone, which give the grapes elegant traits and a slight acidic nuance. The most cultivated varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
- Constantia: located south of Cape Town, it is lashed by oceanic breezes that predispose it to the production of excellent whites with acidic nuances, but it is also known for its sweet wines. The soils are composed mainly of granite, with a good concentration of clay. Here they mainly cultivate Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Moscato Bianco, Pinotage, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling.
- Paarl: an ancient inland area, a position that gives it warmer temperatures, excellent for giving life to robust and mature red wines. The extreme peaks are however mitigated by the presence of various mountain reliefs, composed of shale and granite and by soils with good drainage capacity. The valleys are instead rich in sandstone. The most widespread varieties are Merlot, Cinsault, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chenin Blanc.
- Swartland: north of Cape Town it is characterised by a warm and dry climate, and by a varied morphology. Scarce rainfall reduces the risk of fungal diseases, whilst the presence of rather dry soils lowers the yield, but amplifies the aromatic concentration of the grapes. The soils are rich in shale and granite. Here they mainly cultivate Chenin Blanc, Shiraz and Pinotage.
- Walker Bay: characterising this area are rather cool temperatures, due to the proximity of the sea, which produce wines characterised by a pleasant refreshing note and a hint of acidity. At a geological level, the soils are composed of shale, clay and iron, with a good presence of sand. The typical varieties of the area are Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz.
- Franschhoek: its mountain perimeter mitigates the highest temperatures, whilst the presence of alluvial soils composed of sandstone and good annual rainfall contribute to providing South African vines with the right hydration. The typical varieties of the area are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz and Chardonnay.
- Elgin: this area with a prevalence of shale differs from the others due to the presence of vines at higher altitudes compared to other regions, more or less at 330 metres above sea level. This - as well as the breezes coming from False Bay - lower the typical temperatures of the country, giving good thermal excursions between night and day and excellent ventilation. The most common South African grape varieties here are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.
The best South African red wines
Among the local products, very different variations can coexist, but generally the characteristics of South African red wines stand out for their robustness, body and rusticity. Spicy, earthy nuances can be detected, and sometimes a good level of acidity. Here are some labels not to be missed!
Homestead Pinotage 2021
This review cannot but begin with one of the most representative South African red wines, namely a Pinotage. This variety was born right here, from a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault.
The ideal way to taste this variety? Uncork a bottle of Homestead Pinotage 2021 and enjoy it alongside a meat menu with decisive flavours, such as an abundant meat grill or game-based preparations. Only dishes with bold flavours can stand up to its robust organoleptic traits.
Unlike the Pinot Noir from which it derives, this Pinotage presents a complex texture, between notes of black fruit, vanilla and sweet spices. The tasting reveals the same decisive soul, which expresses itself through scratchy tannins and hints of black cherry, strawberry and spices.
A wine that conquers lovers of stubborn reds from the first sip!
Cape Dreams Shiraz 2023
Among the many international variants offered by South African oenology, Shiraz reflects well the characteristics of the terroir, showing robust flavours and a spicy and smoky texture typical of hot places. This Cape Dreams Shiraz 2023 is an example (and what an example!).
The first thing that surprises during tasting is the boldness of its smoky aromas, obtained from a maturation of about 9 months in oak barrels. The scents of violet, caramelised fruit and spices accompany the olfactory examination, whilst on the palate it shows a rather accentuated tannic texture, which goes well with meat courses with more decisive flavours, such as beef casseroles, steaks, ribs, venison or hare stews.
South African white wines and sparkling wines: elegance and vivacity
The most important international white grape varieties find new life in South Africa, giving rise to particular aromatic variations, some light and floral, others full-bodied, citrusy, herbaceous and spicy. What they have in common is a complex and elegant organoleptic profile, which balances body and acidity, as can be seen in the labels selected by Svinando!
"Inspector Péringuey" Chenin Blanc 2023
Very widespread in France, Chenin Blanc is a grape variety that has found a second home in South Africa, representing today one of the most common varieties of this wine area. Among its merits stands out a fruity and spicy organoleptic bouquet, balanced by a hint of acidity that makes it lively on the palate.
An excellent representative of these traits is the "Inspector Péringuey" Chenin Blanc 2023, a wine with a bright straw yellow colour and a complex olfactory identity. Produced from vineyards of more than 40 years of age, it develops intense and particular aromas thanks to the maturation period in French oak barrels for about 7 months.
On the nose it conquers with refreshing fruity notes, between scents of quince, pear and pineapple and a spicy suggestion that makes you fall in love. On the palate it presents good sapidity and a mineral hint that refreshes the mouth.
Among the best pairings with South African wines like this stand out grilled fish and shellfish, but Chenin Blanc also doesn't disdain preparations such as canapés with smoked salmon, baked sea bass fillets, cod stew or mixed fish soups.
Sauvignon Blanc Grande Cuvée 2021
Another grape variety widely cultivated in South Africa and much appreciated by critics and connoisseurs of the genre, Sauvignon Blanc maintains its own typical herbaceous flavours here, however assuming exotic nuances, as can be noted in a glass of Sauvignon Blanc Grande Cuvée 2021.
Characterised by a straw yellow colour streaked with green, it displays in the glass an aromatic symphony that doesn't leave you indifferent. The notes of tropical fruit, with hints of lime and a nuance reminiscent of green fig immediately stand out. On the palate it perfectly balances the soft body with a mineral hint at the end.
Thanks to its characteristics, this wine goes perfectly with typical aperitif dishes, even better if from the sea. From mixed fried food to cod meatballs, from tuna tartare to swordfish skewers, passing through the timeless bagels with smoked salmon, South African Sauvignon Blanc is a must-have for parties and refreshments!
"Kaapse Vonkel" Méthode Cap Classique Brut
The perfect way to close this guide to South African wines is to mention another important production of this country: Méthode Cap Classique (MCC) sparkling wine, well represented by this "Kaapse Vonkel" Méthode Cap Classique Brut.
Organic and vegan, produced from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes - this sparkling wine makes freshness its trademark. The straw yellow colour with golden reflections anticipates the elegance of the scents, which express themselves through notes of apple, peach and citrus flowers. The tasting confirms the refinement of this wine, but also a certain vivacity, thanks to the scents of lemon, raspberry and stone fruit, as well as an acidic hint that refreshes the palate.
This Classic Method goes well with many fish dishes, but for a truly elegant evening, it should be tried with sushi or sashimi, with salmon and avocado tartare or with swordfish carpaccio.
The birth of wine in South Africa
When the first vines reached South Africa - imported by the Dutch East India Company in 1655 - they didn't have great fortune, at least for the first times. With time, however, the colonists refined the winemaking techniques, starting to produce excellent liqueur wines.
The 18th century was marked by these products and by brandy, whilst the arrival of the English towards the end of the century marked the increase in vineyard area and exports, which contributed to the flourishing fortune of South African wines.
Phylloxera and the Anglo-Boer wars between the late 19th and early 20th centuries brought the sector to its knees, followed by the apartheid period, but in the second half of the 20th century there was a significant renaissance, thanks to small local producers who favoured quality production.
Have South African wines piqued your curiosity? Explore the Svinando catalogue and discover the best labels!