South Africa prides itself as a producer of some of the best wines in the whole world. Every year hundreds of thousand litres leave Mzansi for shipment to countries such as the UK, Germany, China and many others.
The fermented grapes that we love so much can be enjoyed in many ways. It can be enjoyed as a downer while having dinner, at celebration events, it can be enjoyed with cheese and crackers, and it can be used to make meals taste even more yummy. Following are four South African wine brands and their origin as per Stettyn Cellar.
Cabernet Sauvignon – was first recorded in South Africa in the late 1800’s and by the 1980’s it made up just 2.8% of vineyards. Since then it’s become an increasingly significant variety in the Cape and today it constitutes around 11% of vineyards and is the most widely planted red grape varietal. Cabernet Sauvignon produces top-class wines that develop well with age into spicy, full, complex wines. Depending on the terroir, South African Cabernet Sauvignon can range from intense and perfumey to spicey and herbaceous or soft and well rounded with more berry notes. Cabernet Sauvignon is also often used in Bordeaux style blends.
Shiraz – the first records of Shiraz (or Syrah as it is also known) in South Africa date back to the 1890’s, however, it is suspected that the true origin in the Cape dates back to the time of Simon van der Stel. Today Shiraz is the second most planted red grape variety at 10% of red wine grape plantings spurred on by the Australian Shiraz popularity of the 1990’s. South African Shiraz or Syrah is produced in a variety of climates from hot to cool resulting in a variety of wine styles but typically yielding purple, smokey, and spicey wines that develop a complex character over time. Shiraz is often included in Rhône style blends.
The Merlot red wine grape variety in South Africa began as a single hectare vineyard in 1977. It has since grown to cover around 6% of the red wine vineyards today, especially in warmer regions of the Cape. This early ripening, thin-skinned grape varietal is highly sensitive to drought and can be a little tricky to produce, but it is worth the effort. Merlot is traditionally used in Rhône style blends to add softness and breadth to Cabernet Sauvignon. In New World wine regions Merlot is growing in popularity, and is increasingly being bottled, as a single varietal wine, with some superb results locally.
Pinotage – uniquely South African cultivar, Pinotage is a cross of Pinot Noir and Hermitage (also known as cinsault) that was developed in 1925. Due to many years of sub-standard quality exports, Pinotage was largely unpopular in export markets, however, it is a firm favourite in South Africa and is slowly finding favour worldwide as better South African Pinotage wines are being produced both as a single grape varietal and in blends. Pinotage grapes can produce complex and fruity wines with age but are also often very drinkable when young. It is made into the full range of styles, from easy-drinking and rosé to sparkling wine. Pinotage also forms the main component of the ‘Cape blend’, an evolving term which generally denotes a red blend with Pinotage making up 30 to 70 percent of the wine.
Also see: The perfect way to drink wine
