Some of South Africa ’s oldest grape cultivars date back to ancient times although most were imported from Europe . A vineyard yields a crop after only tree years but takes five years to become fully productive and on average is replanted every twenty five years.

Major white wine varieties.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is one of the most popular white wines in South Africa . It is characterized by its often citrus like flavor and produces excellent wine when barrel fermentation and oak ageing are used. This smooth, dry white wine is ranked 5th with 7283.1 hectares planted in leading areas such as Robertson, Worcester, Stellenbosch and Paarl.

Chenin blanc

Chenin Blanc is the Capes most popular white wine with over thirty percent of the vineyards in the region producing Chenin Blanc. It is characterized for its diversity as it produces a wide spectrum of wine varieties. It produces from dry to sweet wine as well as sparkling wine and sherry. Its fruitiness is favored by many palets and it is the most planted wine cultivar with 19148 hectares planted. Worcester, Paarl and Malmesbury are the leading districts for producing this cultivar.

Colombard

Colombard is a fresh and fruity white wine. It compliments seafood really well and is grown primarily in the Breede Rivier region. It is internationally known as a cultivar for Cognac production

Rhine (Weisser) Riesling

The Weisser Riesling produces full and flavourful wines which range from dry to noble late harvest and are very fragrant. Although dry wines can be high in acid content they develop well with bottled ageing. It ranks 24th as wine cultivar with 290.2 hectares planted mainly in Paarl and Stellenbosch.

Cape Riesling (Crouchen blanc)

The Cape Riesling was wrongly regarded as the Weisser Riesling for many years, but was correctly identified as the Crouchen blanc of France . It produces quality white wines with a delicate fruity bouquet and grassy aroma. It however lacks international reputation but still ranks 12th as wine cultivar with 1236.7 hectares planted mainly in Worcester and Paarl.

Sauvignon Blanc

South Africa has received much attention as a top class producer of Sauvignon Blanc. The South African Sauvignon Blanc has a distinctive dry and grassy character and is often described as tropical, gooseberry or green pepper like. Sauvignon Blanc plantings have increased greatly in recent years.it’s ranked 7th as wine cultivar with 6944 hectares planted. The leading regions are Stellenbosch, Worcester and Paarl.

Bukettraube

South Africa is one of the only wine producing countries and the most prominent to bottle Bukettraube as a single variety of wine. Tastes often include pear, peach and apricot. When Bukettraube is oaked the wines may have a slight spicy or buttery undertone.

Emerald Riesling

The Emerald Riesling is a relatively new wine originating in California which made its commercial debut in 1981. The wines are flavorful and fruity.

Muscat d'Alexandrie (Hanepoot)

The Hanepoot cultivar was first introduced to South Africa by Jan van Riebeeck in the 1650s probably developed from Spanish cutting. It is used primarily as a dessert wine like Jerepigos.Hanepoot carries a strong and flowery bouquet with a powerful honey flavor. It is also often used as table grapes and dried to make raisins.

Semillon (Green Grape)

Semillon is a golden skinned grape used mostly to make dry and sweet white wines. It is also often used in blends.

Major red wine varieties.

Cabernet Franc

It is sometimes difficult to distinguish between a good Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, but the former is a softer wine which often has less sugar and alcohol content.It is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and forms an important part of the Cape blends. With 932.7 hectares planted it ranks 15th as wine cultivar with main regions in Stellenbosch and Paarl.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon is world renowned for producing top class red wines. The Bordeaux wines are the best known; however areas planted in South Africa have more than doubled since 1995. It is in fact the second most planted cultivar in South Africa with 13 530.8 hectares planted of which Stellenbosch, Paarl and Robertson are the main regions. When well developed Cabernet Sauvignon produces a full, complex and spicy wine. The cultivars pronounced flavors are usually grassy, berry-like and minty for some

Cinsaut Noir (Hermitage)

Cinsaut Noir produces a light wine, but is most often used for blending. This is because quality red wines can only be made under specific conditions so only few are produced. It is ranked 9th as a wine cultivar with 3035.4 hectares planted. The main region include Worcester, Malmesbury and Paarl.

Merlot

Merlot is usually used as a red wine blend to add fragrance and softness. It is, however increasingly being bottled as a varietal wine and ranks 6th as a cultivar with 6968.5 hectares planted. The leading regions are Stellenbosch, Paarl and Worcester. Interestingly enough, the world’s most expensive wine, Château Pétrus, is usually Merlot on its own.

Muscadel

Muscadel produces very sweet red wines, has a raisin- like bouquet and often makes excellent Jerepigos. It is commonly used as a dessert wine and is historically associated with the famous Constantia dessert wines. There are only a few plantings in South Africa .

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir grows in the cooler regions of South Africa and is known for is strawberry character and soft tannins. It produces great quality wines and is internationally known for champagne and red Burgundy . The Pinot Noir wines of South Africa are clean and fresh with the flavor of ripe cherries

Pinotage

Pinotage is unique South African grape created in 1925 by crossing Pinot Noir and Cinsuat. It produces a full bodied wine with hints of fruitiness. It is often characterized with a “sweetish acetone” and tends to be low in acid content with a deep purple color. Pinotage ranks 8th as a cultivar with 6663.6 hectares planted mainly in Malmesbury, Stellenbosch and Paarl.

Ruby Cabernet

Ruby Cabernet produces nice red wines with good color and flavor similar to one of its parents, Cabernet Sauvignon. It is ranked 11th as cultivar with 2648.2 hectares planted mainly in Worcester and Robertson.

Shiraz

Shiraz has a smooth palate and a typical smoky and spicy flavor that develops well with age. The planting areas for Shiraz in South Africa have increased more than seven fold since 1995. Ranking this cultivar 4th with 9414.7 hectares planted. Leading regions are Stellenbosch, Paarl and Malmesbury.

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