South Africa is the oldest wine-producing region outside of Europe, with a winemaking tradition dating back to the 17th century. Here, winemakers employ a blend of traditional and modern techniques, resulting in a diverse range of wine styles that beautifully blend the old and new world wine characteristics.

The Regions

The majority of South African vineyards are located around Cape Town, which is situated in the southwest tip of the country where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans converge. The climate is quite unique as this is the only wine region in the world that has the climate influence of two oceans. The vineyards are surrounded by both the ocean and steep mountains, which together preserve the Maritime climate in this otherwise hot region. This allows the grapes to flourish.

South Africa's Western Cape region is responsible for over 90% of the country's wine production. A few of the globally known regions within Western Cape are Stellenbosch, Paarl, Constantia and Walker Bay.

Stellenbosch produces Cape Blends and cool climate influenced red wines. Paarl is located to the north of Stellenbosch and has a slightly warmer climate, which is reflected in the wines. Constantia is known for having some of the oldest vineyards in the country and produces excellent Sauvignon Blanc. Walker Bay produces top-notch Pinot Noir, and Hemel-en-Aarde, a sub-region of Walker Bay, is renowned for its excellent Chardonnay.

The Varieties

South Africa's most planted grape variety is undoubtedly Chenin Blanc, a white grape that boasts signature stone fruit flavors and an unassuming simplicity. Additionally, South Africa also produces bold and citrusy Sauvignon Blanc, with a distinctive note of gunflint, as well as Chardonnay that balances the best of old and new world styles.

However, the most well known variety from South Africa is Pinotage. Pinotage is a red grape that was developed in South Africa and is a genetic cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault varieties. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Syrah are also planted throughout the country and are commonly blended together. The blends are often referred to as "Cape Blends" and have anywhere from 30%-70% Pinotage with the remaining percent a combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc.

Western Cape Chenin Blanc

As I approached the glass, I was immediately struck by the array of fragrances, including pear, apricot, green apple, hints of refreshing minerals and a subtle lemon creaminess. On the palate, the wine was on the border of dry and off-dry, with a medium (-) body and high acidity. There were bold notes of honeydew melon, lemon, pear and yellow apple that dropped off quickly on the short finish.

My Rating 3 / 5 - Simple, and easy to drink. It would go well with an omlette for brunch!

The Details
Sweetness: Dry - Off Dry
Vintage: 2020
Alcohol: 13%
Label: Indaba Chenin Blanc
Producer: Indaba
Region: Western Cape, South Africa
Varietals: 100% Chenin Blanc
Price: $11

Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Chardonnay

This wine was hands down exceptional. It has been a while since I've been so thoroughly impressed and said "wow" after my first sip. From the first swirl, I was struck by the complex aromas of caramel, butterscotch, custard, apple, and citrus, all intertwined with the unmistakable scent of French Oak. It's a subtle note, but one that indicates the wine has been well made.

On the palate, the creamy texture and delicate butterscotch flavors gave way to a refreshing, bright, and acidic finish. The balance of flavors was impeccable, and the wine was truly satisfying from start to finish.

This is one of the finest examples of a new world, fuller bodied, oaked chardonnay that I've ever had the pleasure of tasting. It's a wine that I'll be purchasing repeatedly in the future, and I'm already planning to bring a bottle or two with me to Maine this summer to pair with fresh lobster.

Now, to be fair, I'm not usually drawn to oaked chardonnay and I much prefer a Chablis-like style. However, this wine was captivating. The secondary characteristics from the oak aging were so subtle and perfectly complimented the bright acidity, that I I kept going back to further explore.

My Rating 5 / 5 - I will be recommending this wine to anyone who asks me for an oaked chardonnay from now on. I absolutely loved this wine.

The Details
Sweetness: Dry
Vintage: 2021
Alcohol: 13.5%
Label: Chardonnay
Producer: Hamilton Russell Vineyards
Region: Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Walker Bay, Western Cape, South Africa
Varietals: 100% Chardonnay
Price: $35

Stellenbosch Cape Blend

The first thing that struck me as I brought the glass to my nose was the explosive aroma of plum, rich with fleshy red and black fruit notes, alongside a bold jamminess, courtesy of the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. There were also notes of tea leaf and violet from the Pinotage. As I delved deeper into the wine, I picked up on the signature musky notes of Pinotage, including hints of barnyard, hay, and smoke. These flavors are the result of a bacterial strain called Brettanomyces, which develops during fermentation and adds a unique complexity to the wine. Don't worry! It's completely harmless and the key flavor characteristics are desirable to some consumers.

When present in small amounts, as in this wine, the Brettanomyces adds notes of cedar, smoke, and hay. However, in excessive amounts, the wine can become undesirable, with notes of burnt plastic and bandaids. The level of Brettanomyces in the wine must be carefully monitored by the winemakers.

My Rating 3 / 5 - Overall, this wine presents an intriguing blend of flavors and aromas, with an expressive plum aroma, bold jamminess, and signature musky notes from the Pinotage, but the flavors fell flat on the palate and did not last through the finish.

The Details
Sweetness: Dry
Vintage: 2020
Alcohol: 14%
Label: Kanonkop Kadette Cape Blend
Producer: Kanonkop
Region: Stellenbosch, South Africa
Varietals: 43% Pinotage, 22% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc
Price: $14

South Africa has a strong emphasis on sustainability, with many winemakers incorporating environmentally-friendly practices into their operations. All three of the wines I picked up have the official sustainability label, guaranteeing that the wine was made with sustainable practices.

Happy tasting!