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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Anthonij Rupert Protea Merlot 2021
From £13.50
A very appealing Merlot in a beautiful and unique bottle, perfect for up-cycling...Read More...
Anthonij Rupert OPTIMA 2020
From £22.00
A brilliant red Bordeaux blend with a label not too dissimilar to a famous French 1st Growth...Read More...
Constantia Glen THREE 2021
From £27.00
A red blend of the three most revered Bordeaux grape varieties - Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet FrancRead More...
Buitenverwachting Cabernet Merlot 2022
From £14.00
Red Bordeaux blend from South Africa's Constantia wine regionRead More...
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Mullineux Signature Straw Wine 2023
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Multi-award winning intensely flavoured dessert style wine made from dried Chenin Blanc grapes...Read More...
Kershaw Wines Clonal Syrah 2019
From £46.00
A subtle, precise style of Syrah, with flavours of black fruits & ground white peppercorn...Read More...
Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc 2023
From £12.75
Unmistakably Sauvignon in character, with striking gooseberry & citrus aromas and delicious, mouthwatering finish...Read More...
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Buitenverwachting 1769 Muscat de Frontignan 2021
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A limited release, classic Constantia noble late harvest dessert wine made from Muscat de Frontignan...Read More...
Buitenverwachting Chardonnay 2023
From £15.00
An award winning Chardonnay from the Constantia wine region of South Africa...Read More...
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Buitenverwachting Christine 2017
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Buitenverwachting's flagship Bordeaux-styled red wine blend honours Lars Maacks' mother Christine...Read More...
Babylon's Peak Viognier Roussanne 2022
From £15.75
Award winning Viognier and Roussanne white wine blend...Read More...
Babylon's Peak SMG 2018
From £18.50
A classic red Rhône blend with dark fruits, ripe tannins and long aftertaste...Read More...
Lievland Vineyards Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2022
From £15.00
Lismore Cape South Coast Chardonnay 2021
From £31.00
A very special Chardonnay made in the style of a traditional Burgundian Chablis...Read More...
Cloof Wine Estate The Very Sexy Shiraz 2021
From £15.50
A wine named after the experince one has when drinking it!...Read More...
Leeu Passant Chardonnay 2022
From £73.00
A wonderfully pure, textured & low sulphur single-vineyard Chardonnay from Stellenbosch...Read More...
Leeu Passant Dry Red Wine 2017
From £80.00
Kloof Street Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2023
From £18.00
Top notch Swartland Old Vine Chenin Blanc by Chris & Andrea Mullineux, drinking beautifully now...Read More...
Mullineux Syrah 2021
From £34.00
Bottled unfined & unfiltered this is an elegant, perfumed & silky Syrah...Read More...
Kloof Street Swartland Rouge 2021
From £18.00
A Mediterranean style red wine blend from sustainably farmed vineyards grown in Swartland...Read More...
Swartland Winery Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2023
From £16.50
A full flavoured, classic Chenin Blanc with rich and honied aromas of ripe tropical fruits...Read More...
Swartland Winery Bush Vine Syrah 2021
From £14.50
Earthy smokiness complemented by a soft & opulent creaminess of flavour with a hint of chocolate...Read More...
Lismore Estate Reserve Syrah 2021
From £60.00
A stunning & precise Syrah beautifully textured, elegant & mouth-filling with superb length...Read More...
Mont du Toit 2016
From £25.00
A Cabernet dominated blend that melds appetising dark fruits with warming spice...Read More...