African Wine Regions
Wines have been produced in South Africa for more than 350
years. But it has been since the fall of apartheid that South African
wines have been seen outside the country. Today South African
wines are becoming increasingly known for quality as well as
quantity. South Africa wines can often be good bargains.
Wines have been produced in South Africa for more than 350
years. But it has been since the fall of apartheid that South African
wines have been seen outside the country. Today South African
wines are becoming increasingly known for quality as well as
quantity. South Africa wines can often be good bargains.
Many grape varieties are grown in South Africa, but Shiraz and Pinotage are
perhaps the most notable. Pinotage is the country's "indigenous" grape, being
a cross between the delicate Pinot Noir and the heartier Cinsaut. The South
African Pinotage Association's Sue van Wyk says of the wines made from this
grape, "Pinotage is like an old friend: a wine that comforts and cheers me and
a joy to have on hand." On the white side, South Africa enjoys a reputation for
Steen, which is the local Afrikaans name for Chenin Blanc.
Other South Africa-specific grape varieties are Hanepoot, a white grape grown
only in South Africa, Cape Riesling, the South African name for the French
Cruchen Blanc, and Fransdruif, the South African term for the white wine grape
native to Jerez, the Sherry region of Spain. Lastly, South Africans call Cinsaut
"Hermitage."
South African Wine Growing Regions
South Africa implemented an appellations system of its own in 1973, which
designated production regions, districts and wards, called the Wines of Origin
system. There are some 60 official appellations. South African vineyards tend
to be concentrated around Cape Town. The largest wine-making areas are
Paarl, Stellenbosch and Worcester.
Breedekloof
The Breede River Valley lies about 45 miles northeast of Cape Town.
Breedekloof used to be known for inexpensive bulk wines but now boasts
many execellent wineries producing a number of varietals including Pinotage,
Saunvignon Blanc and even late-harvest Rosé.
Constantia
Up in Cape Mountains above Capetown, Constantia is known for making
famous Muscat-based dessert wines. It's a cool, damp area with sufficient
rainfall so that the vines require no irrigation. Many different grape varieties are
grown here, from Chenin Blanc (Steen) to Cabernet Sauvignon.
Klein Karoo
Klein Karoo (or Little Karoo) is semi-arid area on the central Cape. The climate
varies widely, however, with microclimates that allow a broad range of wines to
be produced, including Muscadel, Chenin Blanc (Steen) and fortified wines
such as Muscadel.
Malmesbury / Swartland
Thirty miles north of Cape Town, this area has traditionally produced fortified
wines and some concentrated reds. Today it is better known for Chenin Blanc
(Steen) and Pinotage.
Olifants River
The Olifants River Valley lies about 110 miles north of Cape Town. A few years
ago, the region was too arid to support much wine-growing, but with the
building of an irrigation canal wine production has taken off. The region is best
known for its brandies, however.
Orange River
In the far north of the Cape, vineyards are cooled by the Orange River, largest
in South Africa. The region historically concentrated on white wines (Sauvignon
Blanc, Cahrdonnay) but has emerged as a producer of Pinot Noir.
Paarl
The Paarl district lies about 30 miles east of Cape Town and it is one of the
most famous of South Africa's winegrowing areas, known especially for
Pinotage.
Stellenbosch
South of Paarl and about 30 miles southeast of Cape Town, Stellenbosch is
right in the center of South Africa's greatest wine region. Stellenbosch wines
range from Pinotage and Shiraz to many white varietals and dessert wines.
This famed region produces only 13% of the wine in South Africa, but produces
most of the best.
Worcester
Sixty-five miles northeast of Cape Town, Worcester is South Africa's biggest
producer of wine and brandies, producing more than a quarter of the country's
wine. Among the grape varieties growing here are: Chenin Blanc, Colombard,
Hanepoot.
perhaps the most notable. Pinotage is the country's "indigenous" grape, being
a cross between the delicate Pinot Noir and the heartier Cinsaut. The South
African Pinotage Association's Sue van Wyk says of the wines made from this
grape, "Pinotage is like an old friend: a wine that comforts and cheers me and
a joy to have on hand." On the white side, South Africa enjoys a reputation for
Steen, which is the local Afrikaans name for Chenin Blanc.
Other South Africa-specific grape varieties are Hanepoot, a white grape grown
only in South Africa, Cape Riesling, the South African name for the French
Cruchen Blanc, and Fransdruif, the South African term for the white wine grape
native to Jerez, the Sherry region of Spain. Lastly, South Africans call Cinsaut
"Hermitage."
South African Wine Growing Regions
South Africa implemented an appellations system of its own in 1973, which
designated production regions, districts and wards, called the Wines of Origin
system. There are some 60 official appellations. South African vineyards tend
to be concentrated around Cape Town. The largest wine-making areas are
Paarl, Stellenbosch and Worcester.
Breedekloof
The Breede River Valley lies about 45 miles northeast of Cape Town.
Breedekloof used to be known for inexpensive bulk wines but now boasts
many execellent wineries producing a number of varietals including Pinotage,
Saunvignon Blanc and even late-harvest Rosé.
Constantia
Up in Cape Mountains above Capetown, Constantia is known for making
famous Muscat-based dessert wines. It's a cool, damp area with sufficient
rainfall so that the vines require no irrigation. Many different grape varieties are
grown here, from Chenin Blanc (Steen) to Cabernet Sauvignon.
Klein Karoo
Klein Karoo (or Little Karoo) is semi-arid area on the central Cape. The climate
varies widely, however, with microclimates that allow a broad range of wines to
be produced, including Muscadel, Chenin Blanc (Steen) and fortified wines
such as Muscadel.
Malmesbury / Swartland
Thirty miles north of Cape Town, this area has traditionally produced fortified
wines and some concentrated reds. Today it is better known for Chenin Blanc
(Steen) and Pinotage.
Olifants River
The Olifants River Valley lies about 110 miles north of Cape Town. A few years
ago, the region was too arid to support much wine-growing, but with the
building of an irrigation canal wine production has taken off. The region is best
known for its brandies, however.
Orange River
In the far north of the Cape, vineyards are cooled by the Orange River, largest
in South Africa. The region historically concentrated on white wines (Sauvignon
Blanc, Cahrdonnay) but has emerged as a producer of Pinot Noir.
Paarl
The Paarl district lies about 30 miles east of Cape Town and it is one of the
most famous of South Africa's winegrowing areas, known especially for
Pinotage.
Stellenbosch
South of Paarl and about 30 miles southeast of Cape Town, Stellenbosch is
right in the center of South Africa's greatest wine region. Stellenbosch wines
range from Pinotage and Shiraz to many white varietals and dessert wines.
This famed region produces only 13% of the wine in South Africa, but produces
most of the best.
Worcester
Sixty-five miles northeast of Cape Town, Worcester is South Africa's biggest
producer of wine and brandies, producing more than a quarter of the country's
wine. Among the grape varieties growing here are: Chenin Blanc, Colombard,
Hanepoot.
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Fast Facts
- South Africa was
producing wine in the 17th
century - Cinsaut is called
Hermitage in South Africa - Pinotage, the grape variety
South Africa is famous for,
is a cross between Pinot
Noir and Cinsaut - In Sense and Sensibility,
Jane Austen recommends
Constantia wine for "its
healing powers on a
disappointed heart"
Vinapedia.net
Wine knowledge for the wine novice
South African wine has a history dating back to 1659 when the Dutch ("Boers")
first began to settle on the Cape. Until fairly recently, South African wines were
known more for their quantity than their quality. Much has changed with the
overthrow of the apartheid system in that country, and since the trade embargo
imposed by countries opposed to the apartheid system was lifted. In the
mid-1990's South African wines began to appear North American shelves, and
today are almost ubiquitous in many quality grocery stores and wine shops.
first began to settle on the Cape. Until fairly recently, South African wines were
known more for their quantity than their quality. Much has changed with the
overthrow of the apartheid system in that country, and since the trade embargo
imposed by countries opposed to the apartheid system was lifted. In the
mid-1990's South African wines began to appear North American shelves, and
today are almost ubiquitous in many quality grocery stores and wine shops.
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