Red wine from South Africa

From Pinotage to Cabernet Sauvignon: red wine from the Southern Hemisphere

Origin and climate of red wine from South Africa

Red wine from South Africa is wine made from red grapes grown at the Cape. The Wine of Origin system, introduced in 1973, regulates provenance: at every level, 100 percent of the grapes must come from the named area.^[1] If a grape variety appears on the label, at least 85 percent of the wine must come from that variety, and if a vintage is stated, at least 85 percent must come from that year.^[1]

Climate shapes the style. The cold Benguela Current cools the Atlantic, and the traditional winegrowing areas along the coast are seldom more than 50 kilometres from the sea. In spring and summer the southeasterly Cape Doctor wind blows, which keeps vineyard disease down and lowers temperatures by a few degrees.^[1]

The most important red grape varieties

Red varieties cover 38,254 hectares, or 44.2 percent of the vineyard area.^[1] The largest red variety is Cabernet Sauvignon with 8,601 hectares (9.9 percent), followed by Shiraz with 8,103 hectares (9.4 percent), Pinotage with 6,619 hectares (7.6 percent) and Merlot with 4,907 hectares (5.7 percent).^[1]

Smaller shares of the total vineyard area belong to Cinsault with 1.9 percent, Pinot Noir with 1.4 percent and Cabernet Franc with 0.9 percent.^[2]

Pinotage and the Cape Blend

Pinotage is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault. Professor Abraham Izak Perold pollinated a Pinot Noir flower with Cinsault pollen on 17 November 1924 and planted the four resulting seeds in 1925.^[3] Cinsault was then known as Hermitage, hence the "age" in the name.^[3]

According to Wine with Seth, the Swartland holds the largest share of Pinotage plantings, followed by Paarl and Stellenbosch.^[3] One example of old vines is the Black Label from Kanonkop, made from vines planted in 1953.^[3]

The Cape Blend is a style set by producers, not by law. Pinotage makes up 30 to 70 percent of it.^[1][3]

Regions for red wine

Stellenbosch is the best-known region, with more than 200 wine estates and producers and varied soils.^[1] In Paarl, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage and Shiraz have the best potential, according to Wine with Seth.^[1]

In the Swartland, unirrigated bush vines grow on schist and granite soils and yield concentrated, savory and mineral-driven wines.^[3] Hemel-en-Aarde in Walker Bay is known for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.^[1] We also stock red wines from Franschhoek.

Red wine and food

According to Wine with Seth, Shiraz from the Swartland or Paarl goes well with braai lamb.^[1] In general, full-bodied South African reds suit steak, game, lamb and grilled dishes, and mature wines also go well with aged cheese.

Red wine in our range

Our range includes the African Java Pinotage from Van Loveren, the Pinotage from Diemersfontein, the Cabernet Sauvignon and The Mint Cabernet Sauvignon from Thelema, The Chocolate Block from Boekenhoutskloof, the Great Five Reserve Cape Premier Red from Stellenview and the Signature Shiraz from Spier. The filters let you narrow the selection by grape variety, winery, region, price and food pairing.

Frequently asked questions about red wine from South Africa

What makes red wine from South Africa special?

Its climate and the variety of sites. The cold Benguela Current cools the coast, the southeasterly Cape Doctor wind lowers temperatures, and soils range from granite to schist. The Wine of Origin system also regulates provenance.

Which red grape varieties are typical of South Africa?

Cabernet Sauvignon (8,601 hectares), Shiraz (8,103 hectares), Pinotage (6,619 hectares) and Merlot (4,907 hectares) are the largest red varieties (SAWIS, 2025).

How much of South Africa's vineyard area is red?

44.2 percent, or 38,254 hectares (SAWIS, 2025). The remaining 55.8 percent is white varieties.

What is Pinotage?

A South African cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault. Abraham Izak Perold created it in 1924 and planted the first seeds in 1925.

What is a Cape Blend?

A red wine style in which Pinotage makes up 30 to 70 percent of the blend. It is a convention among producers, not a law.

Is South African red wine more full-bodied or fruity?

That depends on the variety and region. There are fruity wines as well as complex wines with ageing potential. Reds from unirrigated Swartland bush vines are described as concentrated, savory and mineral-driven.

What food goes with red wine from South Africa?

Steak, game, lamb, grilled dishes and aged cheese. According to Wine with Seth, Shiraz goes well with braai lamb.

Which regions are known for red wine?

Stellenbosch, Paarl, the Swartland and Franschhoek. Hemel-en-Aarde in Walker Bay is known above all for Pinot Noir.

What does Wine of Origin mean on the label?

It is South Africa's provenance system, in place since 1973. 100 percent of the grapes must come from the named area, and at least 85 percent from the stated variety and vintage.

Which South African red wines do you offer?

Among others, Pinotage from Van Loveren and Diemersfontein, Cabernet Sauvignon from Thelema and Van Loveren, The Chocolate Block from Boekenhoutskloof and Shiraz from Spier.

Sources

1. Wine with Seth – South Africa: Wine of Origin, Regions and Grapes
2. TopWineSA – SA Wine Industry Stats
3. Wine with Seth – Pinotage Regions