South Africa sits where the Old World meets the New, with more than three centuries of winemaking behind it and a restless modern energy driving it on. The Cape makes serious wines with a real sense of place, from bright coastal whites to deep, smoky reds, at prices that still reward the curious.
Chenin Blanc, Steen and the Cape's white wines
Chenin Blanc, known locally as Steen, is the signature grape and the most planted variety in the country. At the easy end it gives everyday bottles full of orchard fruit; at the top it delivers serious old-vine wines, some from bush vines over fifty years old, with real weight and a waxy, honeyed depth. The old-vine revolution in the Swartland, on granite and schist soils, has pushed these white wines to the front rank. Cooler coastal sites around Elgin and Walker Bay give taut, herby Sauvignon Blanc and finely mineral Chardonnay.
Pinotage, Cabernet and the Cape's red wines
Pinotage is the country's home-grown red, a 1925 crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut made in Stellenbosch by Abraham Perold. At its best it is dark and smoky with bramble fruit, a natural match for the braai. Stellenbosch is also the heartland of structured Cabernet Sauvignon and polished Bordeaux blends, while old-vine Cinsaut and vibrant Syrah and Shiraz thrive across the Swartland. There is plenty more to explore among the Cape red wines at every price.
South African wine FAQ
What does South African Chenin Blanc taste like?
It depends on the style. Everyday Chenin is fresh and fruity, with apple, pear and a little citrus. Old-vine Chenin from the Swartland or Stellenbosch is richer and more textured, with honey, dried peach and a savoury, waxy note that ages beautifully.
What food goes with Pinotage?
Reach for the grill. Its smoky edge and firm tannin love charred lamb, boerewors sausage, ribs and game, and it stands up happily to a barbecue sauce with a bit of spice.
Is South African wine good value?
Very. The Cape offers real quality for the money, especially in Chenin Blanc and Cabernet blends, so it is one of the smartest places to look for serious wine without a classic-region price tag.