South Africa

New World Fruit, Old World Elegance

While wine has been made in South Africa since the 17th century, standards in the early 1990s left much to be desired. Since then, progress has been rapid on all fronts and right now, the wines have never been better.

As with the sports teams, it took South Africa’s wineries a few years to come back up to international standards following Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom. Now they’re back with a vengeance. If anybody watched the Rugby World Cup Final last year, they will attest to that!

The Cape wine region is the most beautiful in the world with its gentle hills and sea views from Constantia and Durbanville. The majestic mountains in Stellenbosch and Paarl, the rugged interior near Robertson, the lush greenery of Franschhoek, the extreme temperatures of Tulbagh and the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde make this annual wine discovery trip one of my favourites.

New World fruit, Old World elegance – that’s what South Africa offers at its best.

If I can help you in any way, with wines from any of the regions mentioned above – don’t hesitate to contact any of the wine team here in Green Acres.

South African Grapes

South Africa produces all the classic global varietals, including Chenin Blanc (called steen in SA), Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc.

The unique Pinotage varietal, a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, was developed in the Cape in 1925 by Abraham Perold, Stellenbosch’s first professor of viticulture.

Chenin Blanc is the most widely planted grape in South Africa, and the only grape with significant old vines plantings; Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted red variety, but the gap is closing as Syrah plantings continue to grow.