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Red Wine, South Africa

You’ll find the bulk of South Africa’s wine regions on or near the coast of the Cape, where they leverage the cooling influence of the Southern Ocean. Combined with the mountain ranges that run through many of the regions, providing various altitudes, aspects, and soils, this unique landscape yields a wide range of wine styles. Among the black grape varieties planted here are Cabernet Sauvignon (the most widely planted), Merlot, Syrah, and Pinot Noir. Pinotage, a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, also has significant plantings and is little grown elsewhere in the world. Winemakers create Pinotage in a range of styles, from light and fruity to full-bodied old-vine wines. Among the white grape varieties, Chenin Blanc is the most widely planted grape of either colour; Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are also widely grown. Among the prominent winemaking areas of South Africa are Stellenbosch, Paarl, Swartland, Walker Bay, Durbanville, Constantia, Worcester, Robertson, Elgin, and Elim.