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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The Chocolate Block | Half Bottle
£15.50
The unique & legendary Chocolate Block is a Mediterranean style blend of great elegance and charm...Read More...
Inverroche Cape Fynbos Amber Gin
£38.00
A rich & aromatic gin infused with fynbos from South Africa's coastal region...Read More...
Inverroche Cape Fynbos Verdant Gin
£38.00
A soft & floral gin infused with a bouquet of mountain fynbos from South Africa...Read More...
Inverrocche Cape Fynbos Classic Gin
£38.00
A crisp & zesty Gin infused with fynbos from South Africa's Cape Floral Kingdom...Read More...
Reyneke Biodynamic Sauvignon Blanc 2022
From £23.00
Reyneke's vibrant, biodynamic, organic & vegan friendly Sauvignon Blanc from Stellenbosch...Read More...
Reyneke Cornerstone 2020
From £23.00
A superb biodynamic Bordeaux blend with a philanthropic aspect for the workforce at Reyneke...Read More...
The Wolftrap Red 2023
From £11.50
A juicy, savoury Mediterranean red blend of Syrah & Mourvèdre alongside a dash of Viognier...Read More...
Wolf & Woman Swartland Pinotage 2021
From £26.00
The Pinotage revolution continues a pace as this Wolf & Woman example confirms...Read More...
Wolf & Woman Chenin Blanc 2022
From £26.00
A wine of attention grabbing concentration & complexity - Jolandie does it again!...Read More...
Storm 'Ridge' Chardonnay 2023
From £39.00
This an elegant wine with crisp fruit and a long, softly textured finish...Read More...
Constantia Glen FIVE 2019
From £38.00
Constantia Glen's flagship red wine blend of the 5 archetypal Bordeaux varieties...Read More...
Leeu Passant Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
From £38.00
A wine that exudes the distinguished elegance and balance of Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon...Read More...
Mullineux Single Terroir Schist Syrah 2021
From £100.00
The most structured Syrah in the Single Terroir range, with a meaty, savoury character...Read More...
Mullineux Single Terroir Granite Syrah 2018
From £80.00
This violet-perfumed Syrah is the most elegant of the Mullineux's single-terroir Syrahs...Read More...
Mullineux Single Terroir Granite Chenin Blanc
From £50.00
A fantastic Chenin Blanc from 40+ year old bush vines with great ageing potential...Read More...
Rall Wines Red
From £23.00
A beautifully textured mediterranean red wine blend with great ageing potential...Read More...
Groot Constantia Grand Constance 2019
£50.00
Drunk by Emperor's & King's this legendary sweetie is South Africa's oldest wine...Read More...
Niel Joubert Byter Chenin Blanc 2024
From £10.00
A crisp, refreshing Chenin named after the big, sweet and loyal dog 'Byter'...Read More...
Cloof Wine Estate Inkspot 2022
From £11.75
A unique red wine blend of inky concentration and unparalleled concentration...Read More...
Niel Joubert Rondeberg Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
From £12.75
A succulent, silky smooth Cabernet, with a savoury dusting of oak...Read More...
Niel Joubert Enita Sauvignon Blanc 2022
From £9.50
Aromas of passion fruit, citrus and cut-grass pour out of the glass...Read More...
Lievland Bush Vine Pinotage 2022
From £16.00
An elegant and traditional style of Pinotage from Paarl...Read More...
Groot Constantia Shiraz 2021
From £23.00
Smooth, opulent and gamey with spice and brambly fruit and a long peppery finish...Read More...
Groot Constantia Merlot 2021
From £23.50
Matured for 18 months in French oak this Merlot packs a punch of flavour...Read More...