South African Wine

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The history of wine-making in South Africa began as the Dutch East India company established a “refreshment station” at the Cape for trading fleets (a precursor to the truck stop) in 1652. Jan van Riebeeck, the first Cape governor planted the first vineyard in 1655 and others followed with various Dutch immigrants. The Constantia vineyard was first planted by Simon van der Stel and gained some notoriety. But since the Dutch, face it, aren’t really known for their viticultural skills, it wasn’t until the French Huguenots settled in the Cape around the 1680s that more refined wine-making techniques were practiced.

But South African wines still had yet to catch on in the rest of the world. In the 18th century, there was a shortage of proper oak barrels for aging, and terroirs and climates had yet to be matched to the grapes most suited to grow in them. But the British occupation of the Cape finally helped nudge things along in the mid century, since they were still on bad terms with France, and happy to source wine from other countries. Until the Phylloxera crisis hit South Africa by the end of the 1800s, and once again, the system needed rebuilding.

In 1918, Charles Kohler established the Ko-operative Wijnbouwers Vereniging van Zuid-Africa Beperkt (which is thankfully abbreviated to KMV) to regulate the wine industry.

But South Africa’s big moment arrived in 1925 when Stellenbosch University Professor A.I. Perold crossed Cinsault and Pinot Noir to create a unique South African hybrid, Pinotage. Say what you will about this grape of acquired taste (berries and rubber tires...yum?). But this varietal did catch on and many wineries planted the grape for domestic and export bottlings by the 1960s. However, many countries were wary to do much business with South Africa due to its ongoing Apartheid practices. By the 1980s, a full stop embargo was enacted between countries such as the US and South Africa, which once again halted the industry since international investments in its wine dried up. Even when the embargo was finally lifted at the end of the decade, much of what was exported had garnered a poor reputation since this isolation held back modern techniques and quality advances in wine-making.

But in the 1990s, once trade relations stabilized, foreign investment came pouring in. There were many opportunities for growth, and soon a range of formidable Old World and New World styles of wine were being produced and exported. Pinotage is the most popular red grape, along with Shiraz (Syrah), Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Merlot. Chenin Blanc is the most popular white varietal, along with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

The subregions of South Africa are:

*Eastern Cape

*KwaZulu-Natal

*Northern Cape (which includes the Orange River region)

*Western Cape (which produces the majority of the country’s wines and includes the Breede River Valley, Cape Agulhas, Coastal Region, Klein Karoo, Olifants River, Overberg, Ruiterbosch and Walker Bay regions)

– Description from Amanda Schuster (hide)

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The Wines of South Africa

Discovering wines is one of the most compelling aspects of this business, and in fact of the whole wine enthusiast culture. The fact that there is always something new to learn, whether it be a wine, grape, region or vineyard, means that one never actu...

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Mentor for South African Wines

Mary John Baumann, DWS

Accredited wine expert with advanced wine education, sales and lecturing talent. Creative marketer with demonstrated success in global marketing and development of leading multinational luxury brands.

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Popular wines made in South Africa under $20

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Varietals Produced in South Africa View all

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is widely grown in California -- at over 15,000 acres, it’s now the third most planted variety -- and...
Cabernet Sauvignon

“King of the Red Wine Grapes.” The colonizer of the vineyards, pushing native wine grapes into its shadows. The Caber...
Syrah

The irony here is that Syrah’s origins could give Carmen Sandiego a run for her international wallet. Syrah’s deepest...
Chardonnay

British wine writer and critic, Jancis Robinson, once noted that throughout the 80’s and 90’s in the United States, C...
Pinotage

History of the grape: In 1925, Stellenbosch University Chief Horticulture Professor Abraham Izak Perold created the P...
Chenin Blanc

History of the grape: Modern day French oenologist Pierre Galet states Chenin Blanc has been in France at least since...

Subregions of South Africa

Breede River Valley

The Breede River Valley is a low altitude, flat wine region in South Africa. Much of it ha...
Bot River
Coastal Region

The Coastal Region, within the Western Cape district, is considered the heart of the South...

Popular Wineries in South Africa View all

Fleur du Cap

Fleur du Cap - one of South Africa's premier and best-known wines — is one of the flagships of th...
Obikwa

A South African Winery specializing in classic South African grape varieties such as Sauvignon ...
Robertson Winery

Our winery has a long-standing tradition of dedicated grape-growing families, some of whom are 4t...
Boland Kelder

Situated in the picturesque Paarl Valley, Boland Cellar has much to boast about. Nominated as one...
Neil Ellis Wines

Neil Ellis Wines differs from most South African wineries in that instead of owning vineyards we ...
Rupert & Rothschild

At the foot of the spectacular Simonsberg mountain in the Franschhock Valley lies the historic Fr...

People getting updates on South African Wines

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South Africa on Snooth

May 2013

Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

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Great Cabernet at an excellent price. Read More

Wine review by calywa
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Hi my name is Veronica from South Africa. I have a new product made in South Africa first time ever ITS RUM!! If anyone is interested please let me know. Regards,Veronica0794467205 Read More

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May 2013

Viñedo de Los Vientos Chardonnay Blend Atlàntida Estival 2009

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My girlfriend and I have been holding out on opening our last bottle 2009. It was suggested at a wine tasting, and though we usually drink pinot, this wine fits the bill for us. Problem is, where to buy more? Read More

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Ireland Read More

Wine review by runningbear
April 2013

Bob's Pinotage 2011

Snoothrank:

Plenty sour at first - it definitely tastes young. I proably would have skipped it but a win clerk told me that once a wine is on its shelves, it is ready to be drunk. Citrus tartness, lightly smoked tannins, a little grape juice, and a couple of orange blossoms. Pretty well put together. Read More

Wine review by Slipstream
April 2013

Here's the lineup...just finished getting bottles prepped. Also about ... ... Blanc, 2011 – South Africa/ Western Cape Willi Schaefer Domprobst Riesling Kabinett #3, 2011 – Germany/ Mosel Reds: St. Innocent Pinot Noir Freedom Hill Vineyard, 2010 – Oregon/Willamette Valley Robert Chevillon Nuits St. Georges, 2010 – France/ Burgundy/ Cote de Nu... Read More

Forum post in the topic Lineup for this Afternoon
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Goats Do Roam Wine Company Red Rhone Blend Goats Do Roam 2011

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No written review

Wine review by alanb1108
April 2013

Simonsig "Sunbird" Sauvignon Blanc 2009

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I really like how smooth and 'creamy' its texture was. Such light spice and grassy notes. It was very nice when chilled. Read More

Wine review by LaCiCaDa
March 2013

Man Vintners Chenin Blanc 2012

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by swatshots
Jun 12, 2012

Sirs, May you introduce me to a company that exports South African wines? My e-mail address is scmsprl@yahoo.fr Thanks, Constant Bopima M. Bokoto

Comment by 1111044Bob Moelo 1111044
Jan 29, 2011

I am a South African, Capetonian, from Somerset West, right in the heart of the wine region. My heart misses home every day, but thankfully, being able to enjoy South African wine, especially reds, where one can taste South Africa in the terroir, helps me get through each day.

Comment by 750105nikkibean 750105
Dec 25, 2010

"Late Harvest" was my favourite wine in the mid 80's when I lived in Zimbabwe, now I'd like to explore the South African reds and introduce them to my corporate wine events in the Silicone Valley. Peter M -Clubspot Bev (San Jose, Calif)

Comment by 695810pmugwagwa 695810
Aug 24, 2010

New image uploaded to this page.

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