About South African wine regions, appellations and producers. Catalog-reference book of South African wines with reviews and ratings.
Winemaking in South Africa was born more than three hundred years ago. According to written evidence, in 1659 the first vines were planted by the hands of the first settlers on the Cape of Good Hope. The colonialists were Dutch, French and German, so South African winemaking from the first steps corresponded to European traditions. At the same time, the first wineries appeared, some of which are still working and prospering. Among them is the estate Constantia, which already in the 17th century made sweet wine from muscat Vin de Constance, which in Europe was simply called Constantia and was greatly appreciated. After its split, subsidiary wineries continue to operate, in particular, Klein Constantia, which continues to make great world-class wines in European style and in the best South African traditions.
Contemporary winemaking in South Africa offers styles from all over the world and at the same time excellent quality. Red and white wines from French grapes are excellent here, and Chenin blanc is the white representative of South Africa. The red variety which became a representative is pinotage, a South African autochthon. It is known to many for its rich taste, dense body and bouquet with a strong coffee tint, but its best examples are made in the style of European classics and are beautifully balanced, original and at the same time elegant wines.
An extensive system of protected names includes appellations and wards. Basically, winemaking is still concentrated around Cape Town, in the southwest of the country and throughout Africa, spreading from the Cape of Good Hope to the Cape Peninsula. Today it spreads further east along the southern coast of South Africa.
Rich tradition, elegance, classicism, a wide variety of grape varieties, wine styles and appellations – that's what South Africa offers us.
The country also has its own wine blends, which have become South African brands. As an answer to bordo blends, Cape blend is produced here from pinotage, shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc. And the role of the local champagne is played by the sparkling Cape classic, which is produced according to the classic champenois method based on traditional French red and white champagne varieties with the participation of typical Chenin blanc, Pinotage and some other varieties.
Winemaking in South Africa was born more than three hundred years ago. According to written evidence, in 1659 the first vines were planted by the hands of the first settlers on the Cape of Good Hope. The colonialists were Dutch, French and German, so South African winemaking from the first steps corresponded to European traditions. At the same time, the first wineries appeared, some of which are still working and prospering. Among them is the estate Constantia, which already in the 17th century made sweet wine from muscat Vin de Constance, which in Europe was simply called Constantia and was greatly appreciated. After its split, subsidiary wineries continue to operate, in particular, Klein Constantia, which continues to make great world-class wines in European style and in the best South African traditions.
Contemporary winemaking in South Africa offers styles from all over the world and at the same time excellent quality. Red and white wines from French grapes are excellent here, and Chenin blanc is the white representative of South Africa. The red variety which became a representative is pinotage, a South African autochthon. It is known to many for its rich taste, dense body and bouquet with a strong coffee tint, but its best examples are made in the style of European classics and are beautifully balanced, original and at the same time elegant wines.
An extensive system of protected names includes appellations and wards. Basically, winemaking is still concentrated around Cape Town, in the southwest of the country and throughout Africa, spreading from the Cape of Good Hope to the Cape Peninsula. Today it spreads further east along the southern coast of South Africa.
Rich tradition, elegance, classicism, a wide variety of grape varieties, wine styles and appellations – that's what South Africa offers us.
The country also has its own wine blends, which have become South African brands. As an answer to bordo blends, Cape blend is produced here from pinotage, shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc. And the role of the local champagne is played by the sparkling Cape classic, which is produced according to the classic champenois method based on traditional French red and white champagne varieties with the participation of typical Chenin blanc, Pinotage and some other varieties.