South Africa
Since the end of apartheid in 1994 the quality of South African wine has blossomed, winemakers were at last given the opportunity to catch up with the rest of the world of wine and consequently we can now see the real benefits of professional vineyard management.
Over the past decade South African wine production has caught up with its vinous neighbours and, through its vine improvement programme, is now at the forefront of viticultural research. In the pursuit of excellence, innovative wine producers have looked to match cooler vineyard sites with classic low-yielding varieties.
South Africa's Wine of Origin scheme was introduced in 1973 and is administered by the Wine and Spirit Board, appointed by the Department of Agriculture. The borders of all production areas in South Africa are demarcated and defined by law. There is a differentiation between regions, districts and wards. A ward is defined when soil, climate and ecological factors play a clear role in influencing the character of the wine. The ward name must also reflect a real geographic feature of the place.
Districts have to meet the same criteria as wards – but with a broader definition of the relevant area using macro geographical characteristics such as mountains and rivers. A greater variety of soil types are consequently allowed.
Regions are even larger, encompassing areas which in the case of a river, for example, stretch from the source to the mouth.
The winelands of South Africa encompass six officially demarcated regions, 27 districts and 78 smaller wards. The five main regions are the Breede River Valley, Cape South Coast, Coastal Region, Klein Karoo and Olifants River. Boberg is for use in respect of fortified wines from Paarl, Franschhoek, Wellington and Tulbagh.
In South Africa it is the white Chenin Blanc grape that remains the dominant variety, making almost every style of white wine, while the traditionally tough reds from Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz are making way for riper, finer, more modern examples, transformed by the planting of different varietals in the right areas and a surer touch in the wine making process.
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Ataraxia 'Marroquin' Cinsault 2022
From £26.00
Marroquin is Ataraxia's contribution to the Cape's exciting Cinsault renaissance...Read More...
Ataraxia 'Earthborn' Pinot Noir 2022
From £47.00
No other cultivar expresses the concept of “earth” more accurately than the King of Grapes...Read More...
Storm 'Ignis' Pinot Noir 2021
From £38.00
Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot, that's intensely aromatic, savoury & elegant with fine silky tannins...Read More...
Storm 'Vrede' Pinot Noir 2022
From £39.00
An inviting & delicious Pinot Noir from South Africa's Hemel-en-Aarde Valley...Read More...
Rall 'AVA' Syrah 2023
From £54.00
AVA is one of the great modern-day South African Syrah's...Read More...
Ataraxia Sauvignon Blanc 2022
From £19.00
Cool-climate, unwooded Sauvignon Blanc that celebrates the virtues of elegance, vivacity & finesse...Read More...
Groot Constantia 'Gouverneurs Reserve' 2020/21
From £35.00
A very fine Bordeaux blend & the flagship wine of this historic South African estate...Read More...
Kleine Zalze Project Z Riesling 2021
£22.00
A riveting Riesling from the cool-climate Elgin region produced in very limited quantities...Read More...
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Crystallum 'Clay Shales' Chardonnay 2023
Contact us for price
This complex, fresh & textured Chardonnay is undoubtedly one of South Africa's best...Read More...
Lukas Van Loggerenberg Breton Cabernet Franc 2021
From £31.00
Old world in style Lukas Van Loggerenberg's Breton is Loire meets Stellenbosch...Read More...
Lismore Estate Reserve Cuvée Blanc 2022
From £44.00
A limited edition cuvée which exemplifies the very special place that is Lismore Estate...Read More...
Idiom Stellenbosch Zinfandel 2018
From £26.00
Also known as Primitivo, this is a silky, elegant & spicy expression of Stellenbosch Zinfandel...Read More...
Idiom 'B' Bordicon Blend 2018
From £40.00
Award-winning, Bordeaux inspired, red wine blend from premium Cape wine producer Idiom...Read More...
Idiom Cape Blend 2018
From £34.00
Velvety, opulent red wine made with the Cape's own Pinotage grape blended with noble varieties...Read More...
Rupert & Rothschild Baron Edmond 2019
From £38.00
The finest offering from Rupert & Rothschild. Classy, elegant & worthy of any cellar...Read More...
Idiom Viognier 2019
From £23.00
An opulent, barrel-fermented Viognier with an elegant, buttery palate, creamy texture & nutty finish...Read More...
Krone Cap Classique Borealis Cuvée Brut 2022/23
From £17.00
Vintage only, Cap Classique Borealis Brut is the flagship cuvée of Krone...Read More...
Lismore Cape South Coast Chenin Blanc 2021
From £31.00
An understated & classy Chenin Blanc, textured, complex and beautifully balanced...Read More...
Cap Maritime Pinot Noir 2021
From £38.00
Hemel-en-Aarde is one of South Africa's most exciting places to grow Pinot Noir...Read More...
Crystallum 'Peter Max' Pinot Noir 2023
From £32.00
A moreish and dangerously drinkable Pinot Noir in spite of its ageing potential...Read More...
Krone Cap Classique Vintage Rosé Cuvée Brut 2022/23
From £18.50
Vintage only Cap Classique Rosé handcrafted on Twee Jonge Gezellen in Tulbagh, South Africa...Read More...
Lothian of Elgin Chardonnay Vineyard Selection 2020
From £28.00
Multi-award winning Chardonnay rich & gentle in texture from the cool climate Elgin Valley...Read More...
Lothian of Elgin Pinot Noir Vineyard Selection 2020
From £28.00
Multi-award winning Pinot Noir crafted by the talented Yorkshireman, Richard Kershaw MW...Read More...
Hartenberg Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2020
From £15.50
Superb value for money, this Cabernet Shiraz blend is Hartenberg's most popular red wine...Read More...