Thursday, October 29, 2009

WINE REGIONS OF SOUTH AFRICA

CONSTANTIA: It is the historic hub of Cape wine. Closest to Cape Town, it boasts some of the most famous estate names such as Groot and Klein Constantia, and Buitenverwachting. On premium terroir and in ideal climatic conditions, superb sauvignon blanc and semillon wines are produced.

DURBANVILLE: and its hills northeast of Cape Town have a winemaking history dating back 280 years. Some star performers are emerging, including brilliant sauvignon blancs with strong contemporary focus on shiraz and merlot. Durbanville Hills is a large, modern facility and Nitida a small boutique set-up.

SOUTH AFRICAN WINES AND CHEESE


A VINEYARD IN STELLENBOSCH


Vineyard in the Paarl ward of Franschhoek


MAJOR GRAPE VARIETIES - SOUTH AFRICA

Grape
Vineyards
Chenin Blanc
18.7%
Cabernet Sauvignon
13.1%
Colombard
11.4%
Shiraz
9.6%
Sauvignon Blanc
8.2%
Chardonnay
8.0%
Merlot
6.7%
Pinotage
6.2%