An overview of South African wine.

  The are some fabulous South African wines available at
  supermarkets and wine merchants in the UK. South
  African wine often combines the subtly of the old
  world with the progressive techniques ofthe new world.
  The Mediterranean climate, rugged hills and cool winds
  blowing of the surrounding oceans are the perfect
  environment for producing great wines.  

The History
South Africa has a long tradition of producing wine with the first vines being planted in South Africa in 1655 by Dutch settlers. By the end of the seventeenth Century the French Huguenots arrived fleeing religious persecution in France, bringing with them their wine making skills. By 1859 under British colonial rule South Africa enjoyed a fine reputation for producing wine, with more than 1 million Gallons of wine being exported to the UK alone a year. Some of the estates in South Africa have been making wine from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot since before some of the first growth estates of Bordeaux.

Grape Varieties
South Africa is perhaps most well known for Chenin Blancs, which is the most widely planted grape, however there are plenty more grape varieties. The French origins of wine production can be seen in these grape varieties with Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah all popular. Also a uniquely South African grape Pinotage - a cross between Pinot Noir and Hermitage is also grown widely which can produce light Rose and full bodied and aged reds. The award winning Southern Right Pinotage 2007 Walker Bay is a good example of a Pinotage.

The Regions
South Africa is one of the main wine producing countries in the world, last year export more wine to the UK than France. It is known for combing the best of the fruitiness and boldness of the new world wine making techniques with the best of the restrained elegance of the old world. The vast majority of South Africa wine produced from regions within the Western Cape an area with the perfect conditions for growing grapes. With both hot sun and the cool ocean current blowing up from the Antartic.

Areas in the Western Cape include Constania, the oldest region in South Africa, the fine Buitenverwachting Sauvignon Blanc 2009 is a good example of a full bodied sauvignon blanc from this region.

Stellenbosch, the second oldest region and perhaps the most familiar to wine drinkers in the UK. One Estate with growing reputation in this region is Boschendal. If you're looking for a white the Chardonnay 2009 is very good. The Rustenberg John X Merriman 2008 form Stellenbosch is excellent, a Bordeaux style red dominated by Merlot but topped up with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, full bodied and great with Barbecued Red Meat.

Paarl, Franchhoek Valley, Breede River Valley, Overberg are other regions in the Western Cape. The Breede River Valley region is home to the Robertson Valley which brings us a host of wines available in the UK such as King River Shiraz (a bargain at £3.99)

Click here to browse a list of recommended South African reds.

Click here to browse a list of recommended South African whites.