South Africa

Region Hierarchy
Climate(s) Moderate, Warm, Moderate Maritime, Warm Maritime, Warm Continental, Cool Maritime, Hot Continental
Elevation
Notes Also grows Marianne and Roussanne grapes. Benguela Current flows past on its way north.
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Grape(s)
Color Grape Notes
Red Cabernet Sauvignon Grape Widely planted
Grape notes: High tannins due to thick skin. Buds late and needs a long growing season. Often blended with Merlot to gain softness. Usually destemmed and crushed.
Red Merlot Grape Grape notes: Aroma/Flavors vary according to ripeness. Often blended with Cab. Sauvignon to add softness. Buds and ripens early.
Red Pinot Noir (Nero) Grape Grape notes: Low tannins due to thin skin. Susceptible to rot. Early budding and ripening.
Red Pinotage Grape Often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Merlot (aka Cape Blend)
Grape notes: Often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Merlot. Is a cross between Pinot noir and Cinsaut.
Red Syrah / Shiraz Grape Grape notes: Shiraz in Australia; all elsewhere Syrah. Small with thick, dark skins.
White Chardonnay Grape Often blended with other varieties such as Chenin Blanc.
White Chenin Blanc Grape Most planted grape variety. Often blended with other varieties. Some are from old vines, too
Grape notes: Susceptibility to Noble Rot. Suitable for late harvest (vendanges tardives)
White Colombard Grape
White Grenache Blanc Grape
White Muscat of Alexandria Grape
White Sauvignon Blanc Grape Grape notes: This is an aromatic grape; its nose intensity will likely be pronounced.
White Viognier Grape Grape notes: Aromatic grapes, so likely the nose is pronounced. Ripens late in the season so will have high sugar and low acidity.
Wines(s)
Type Wine Notes
Sparkling White Cap Classique Wine Made from grapes from cooler vineyards
Wine notes: Made via the traditional method (Méthode Cap Classique) with 12+ months on the lees
Sparkling White Other type of Sparkling White Wine Made with Chenin Blanc via the carbonated method from warm vineyards. Off-dry to sweet.
Still Red Bourdeaux Wine Wine notes: This is a mostly Merlot blend with Cab. Sauv. and others. Typically from the Right Bank of Bourdeaux, France.
Still Red Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Wine notes: Often able to age well.
Still Red Cape Blend Wine A blend of Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes
Wine notes: Local blend from South Africa
Still Red Merlot Wine
Still Red Pinot Noir Wine Wine notes: Burgundy Pinot Noir is typically drunk young.
Still Red Pinotage Wine Medium-to-full body. Red and black fruit flavors. Can be light and fruity or concentrated and barrel aged.
Still Red Syrah (Shiraz) Wine Wine notes: High tannins due to thick skin
Still White Cape Blend Wine Wine notes: A blend of white grapes grown on the South African Cape
Still White Chardonnay Wine Mostly high-volume brands.
Still White Chenin Blanc Wine High acidity. Will be fermented protectively to retain freshness, or aged with oxidation in oak. Typically dry with flavors of peach, pineapple, and sometimes vanilla from oak chips/staves
Wine notes: High acidity makes it good for aging.
Still White Other type of Still White Wine
Still White Sauvignon Blanc Wine



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