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South African Wine Guide

In recent years South Africa has emerged from the shadow of Apartheid, and its wines have begun once more to make an impact on the international market. The style of wine coming from this reborn nation seems to straddle the New World and the Old, combining the ripe fruit of the former with the elegance and restraint of the latter.

Despite the warm climate, South African plantings have in the past been dominated by white varieties, especially Chenin Blanc, also referred to as Steen. This is changing, and there are increased plantings of international varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah/Shiraz, as well as the Cape's own variety, Pinotage. This latter grape was created by Professor Perold in 1925 at Stellenbosch University, when he crossed Pinot Noir with Cinsault (also called Hermitage) in an attempt to develop a grape with the elegance of the former and yet the hardiness of the latter.

Around Cape Town is Stellenbosch, responsible for probably the Cape's finest red wines, although there are a range of styles produced here. Although responsible for less than a fifth of all wine production, it is undoubtedly the centre of the South African wine industry. Many leading estates have their headquarters here.
My top wines: Beyerskloof, Longridge, Rust en Vrede, Rustenberg, Kanonkop, Thelema, Neil Ellis, Meerlust and Warwick Estate.

Map of South Africa Directly to the east, on the Atlantic coast, is Constantia. The source of the dessert wine Vin de Constance, drunk by Napoleon when exiled on St Helena, this region is now also the source for some excellent table wines.
My top wines: Klein Constantia (their Vin de Constance is stunning), Buitenverwachting.

Inland of Stellenbosch is Paarl. A diverse range of styles are produced here, including dessert wines and flor-influenced wines very much in the style of Sherry. It is home to a number of top estates.
My top wines: Veenwouden leads the way with their Classic blend, also Plaisir de Merle, Glen Carlou, Nederberg and Welgemeend. Clos Malverne has produced a large range of good value wines in past years.

To the south is Elgin, one of South Africa's newest regions. There are already signs that top quality wines will be produced here, including Pinot Noir.
My top wines: Paul Cluver.

Further round the coast is Walker Bay, a relatively cool climate region which as always has led to the planting of Pinot Noir. This is probably the most exciting South African region for this variety, with several estates having considerable success. There is also some very good Chardonnay.
My top wines: Hamilton-Russell, Bouchard-Finlayson.

The remaining coastal regions, Piketberg,Swartland and Overberg are of less significance. Moving inland, there are a number of hot, arid wine wards, including Worcester, Robertson, Tulbagh and Little Karoo. Save for a few interesting estates, the wines produced here are of less interest to the wine lover. Olifant's River, to the north, is another jug wine region.
My top wines: Graham Beck produces some good sparkling wines.

Vintages

Better vintages in recent years include 1997, 1995 and 1992.