Blessed with a rare Mediterranean climate, South Africa is a must-visit place for any wine enthusiast, foodie and globe trotter. With the perfect blend of old and new world influence, exquisite farm-to-table cuisine, and wine tourism, it’s undeniably one of the world’s most memorable places to discover. This wine region is truly one of the most impressive, beautiful and magical that I have ever visited.
The Winelands are located in the Cape Floral Kingdom, one of six such plant kingdoms in the world and a World Heritage Site. With both warm and cooler areas, winemakers can be artists and plant grapes that excel in each of these great grape-growing conditions. South Africa is made for everyone who appreciates finely crafted artistic wines at unbelievable prices.
See also: Foods From South Africa To Try Before You Kick The Bucket
In the South African Winelands, you’ll find some of the oldest viticultural soils in the world, traceable back to the first supercontinent some 1000 million years ago. Located at the very southern tip of the African continent South Africa may be considered a new world wine-growing region, but they’ve been making wine for over 350 years.
The Cape’s wine-growing regions are influenced by the Atlantic and Indian oceans which create beneficial maritime conditions like regular coastal fog and cooling sea breezes to balance the hot summer days making it a wine-growing mecca.
South Africa is blooming with artistry, diversity and quality when it comes to winemaking and wine styles. The region maintains a focus on the natural environment and a commitment to fair trade policies and sustainability. Sustainable Wine South Africa (SWSA) and the new Wine and Spirit Board seal on bottles guarantees that the wines have been sustainably produced according to strict guidelines. You are able to verify this online by entering the unique seal numbers on each bottle.
Chenin Blanc is an old-world grape variety hailing from the Loire region in France, and South Africa has adopted it as their signature white variety. The winemakers here are producing bottles that overperform for their price point and in various different styles. This is a grape you have to get to know and appreciate through tasting it at various wineries. Like Chardonnay, it can be completely unoaked or barrel-fermented so there is a lot of variety in it’s taste profiles from different wineries and winemakers.
Love Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc or elegant bold red wines? South Africa has a wine that’s perfect for you. If you’re looking for a true wine adventure head to the South African Winelands and try something new and exciting!
Here are a few wonderful wines for you to try with many more on sale at the LCBO for a limited time until mid-August.
The Pavillion Chenin Blanc
Start Crushing on Chenin with this bottle! This Chenin Blanc is dynamite wine that will take your senses to South Africa in your glass! Bring it on a picnic or serve up at a cottage lunch! Pair with your favourite seafood!
Robertson Winery Chenin Blanc
Have you tried Chenin & Crab? Lux up your life with this extravagant pairing, without breaking the bank! The Robertson winery is located in the South African Winelands in an old converted stone church with over 35 farming families some already seventh generation grape growers. Robertson is nestled in a valley of abundance, from the sun-drenched mountain vineyards growing select varietals to plentiful river valley vineyards producing award winning wines. This wine is lovely and crisp bursting with a hint of guava and citrus making it a perfect wine to pair with your luxury seafood dishes like crab, shrimp and even lobster!
The Beachhouse Sauvignon Blanc
Want a wine is Perfect for a Sunny Afternoon? Try The Beachhouse Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa and bring the beachhouse to you! This wine its packed with sunny, tropical passion fruit and pineapple, invigorated by a citrus twang and a lively lemon and lime surge on the dry, frisky finish! Talk about an exciting profile! It’s delicious with roast chicken, smoked turkey salads, macaroni cheese or any other creamy pasta. It’s also a great wine on its own for social sipping.
Fleur Du Cap Chardonnay
Fleur du Cap is French for “Flower of the Cape” Inspired by the Cape Floral Kingdom Fleur de Cap Chardonnay is a wonderful chardonnay from South Africa that has been one of my favourites for a very long time now. Fleur du Cap wines were first launched in 1968, and it was the first underground bottle maturation cellar of its kind in the southern hemisphere. Fleur du Cap has the freedom to choose the finest grapes from the best vineyards in the Cape Winelands. The winemaking team unlocks the natural expression inherent in the grapes from pockets of vines in diverse locations selected for their unique terroir and flavour profiles.
Big Bill Shiraz
William “Big Bill” Millar was a boxing champ, decorated war hero, Springbok rugby captain and the first General Manager of KWV. The Big Bill Parent Company KWV gives back by many various projects making this a wonderful part of my #winesthatgiveback conversation. A fabulous wine for the BBQ and can easily be sipped fireside as well!
The Wolftrap Syrah Mourvèdre Viognier
A blend of Syrah, Mouvedre and Viognier, this wine is juicy, elegant and just dellcious! When the farm was founded, the Franschhoek valley was far wilder than it is today – as the wolf trap we once discovered goes to show. Today, the mountains in the Winelands are still alive with indigenous animals, including the majestic leopard. No evidence of wolves has ever been found though, so Boekenhoutskloof wines created this original wine to remind them of the mysteries and legends of days gone by.This wine is medium bodied, elegant and a wonderful way to elevate your lunch or dinners. I have been to this winery and met Marc Kent who makes these wines, he is a wickedly talented winemaker producing REALLY amazing wines! Boekenhoutskloof is a founding member of the Franschhoek Mountain Conservancy helping to protect and maintain nature and biodiversity.