White wines from South Africa

South African white wines belong to the"New World" category, as the wine culture in South Africa is still relatively young, in contrast to the European wine world. The first white wine was produced in South Africa from Muscatel grapes, a white grape variety. This grape variety has a very long history. The result of this first wine production was a sweet-sour and cloudy wine - hardly comparable to what we enjoy drinking today. Jan van Rieebeck was the first, a Dutch navigator and early governor of Cape Town, to cultivate muscatel wine in February 1659. It was only a few years later that wine production in the Cape region was significantly improved by the arrival of the first Frenchmen with expertise in the old wine culture in 1688-1690. The Huguenots who were on the run gradually settled in Franschhoek (French Quarter). Franschhoek is still a respected wine region in South Africa today.

More about white wines from South Africa

The white wine regions around Cape Town

The 5 most important grape varieties for white wine production are, in descending order: Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Colombar and Semillion, but there are also Riesling, Muscat, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Grigio and many other white grape varieties. Most vines for white wines require a warm to very warm climate and therefore thrive very well in the wine-growing regions listed below:

Chenin Blanc: Olifants River, Breedekloof, Paarl and Swartland;

Chardonnay: Worcester and Robertson (most important grape for sparkling wine production)

Colombar: Olifantsriver, Northern Cape, Robertson, Breedekloof. Colombar was one of the first grape varieties in South Africa and was widely used in brandy production. Since the 1970s, however, this grape variety has also been used for wine production, but plays a rather subordinate role.

The only exception in terms of climate is the Sauvignon Blanc grape, which actually prefers cooler regions. In South Africa, different terroirs are therefore chosen for different Sauvignon Blanc wine styles.

Sauvignon Blanc: Stellenbosch, Robertson, Durbanville

Semillion: Worcester and Paarl

The selection of white wines in South Africa is very large and leaves nothing to be desired. As it is an extremely warm wine region, one would think that only white wines with tropical fruit flavours or fruit salad bouquets would be possible. However, this is not the case; friends of sparkling, fine white wines will also get their money's worth in South Africa. The diversity of the wine-growing regions and the art of blending produce exceptional and authentic wines here.

White wines and their winemakers

The passion of South African winemakers is immense. Just think of the difficulties they had to contend with in 2017 due to the drought in the wine industry. Not that winemakers generally have an easy life - they face new challenges every year and nature cannot be calculated to a hundredth of a millimetre. However, South African winegrowers are used to facing problems and challenges with a lot of vigour and a twinkle in their eye. Hence the many young winegrowers and garage owners that seem to be springing up. Sauvignon Blanc, as unbelievable as it sounds, is reaching a quality in South Africa that no one would have guessed years ago, despite the not really typical Sauvignon climate that prevails in the Cape region. But Chenin Blanc is also the most widely cultivated white wine grape in South Africa. Robust, fascinating, negotiable with a huge flavour potential is coming to new fame. The Chardonnay grape is not too demanding in terms of land and soil and the days of excessive ageing in wooden barrels seem to be gradually coming to an end. Many Chardonnays are only matured for a few days or hours in barrels or even just in steel tanks. No one understands the art of experimentation better than the young, wild winemakers. Free from restrictions - a breath of fresh air is good for you!

Sauvignon Blanc - Fresh or tropical

Sauvignon Blanc in South Africa is becoming an insider tip and is increasing in value - which is unfortunately also reflected in the price. There are two categories of Sauvignon Blanc - the fresh, tangy one: grass, asparagus, paprika, citrus notes, green figs. All flavour characters from the cooler wine regions such as the western coastal region: Durbanville, Constantia or the southern Cape coast with Walker Bay, Cape Agulhas, Elgin. Due to the proximity to the coast, a cool wind always blows, which cools the vines after a hot summer day and thus prevents the grapes from becoming too ripe too quickly and thus developing too high a sugar content. The second category is the warm wine region, which gives the Sauvignon Blanc its tropical fruit, melon and apple flavours. Wood maturation brings additional vanilla tones and roasted flavours and ensures a long finish. Stellenbosch and Robertson are the warmer climatic Sauvignon Blanc growing regions.

Chenin Blanc the chameleon grape

Chenin Blanc is the most widely cultivated grape (white) in South Africa, where it is also known as Steen. And probably also the most underestimated. It is so versatile and can be used for almost any style of wine. From semi-dry to dry, for sparkling wines and even for fine dessert wines. Many Chenin Blanc vines are very old and are harvested by hand as so-called bush vines. The yield is low, but the aroma and flavour are of high quality. Flavour notes: Fruit salad, ripe pineapple, guava, peach, stewed apples, marzipan and, when mature, honey and almond flavours. If also matured in wooden barrels, vanilla and roasted flavours.

Chardonnay a wine with excellent ageing potential

Most wine connoisseurs are probably familiar with Chardonnay matured in barrique barrels. Full-bodied, with a long finish and notes of citrus fruit, grapefruit, orange peel and chalk. When matured in wooden barrels, butterscotch and vanilla can also be detected, as well as traces of brioche. This full-bodied Chardonnay goes very well with all dishes with more substantial ingredients - such as pepper steak sauces, smoked salmon, vegetable lasagne or duck with lemon sauce. The popular South African curries also go very well, but should not be too spicy, as otherwise the Chardonnay would lose its flavour due to the spiciness. However, the new Chardonnays are very trendy - without wood contact. Much finer, more sparkling and light, with a refreshing palette. Give it a try! It pairs excellently with cheese, egg dishes, shrimps, asparagus and artichokes. Light meat dishes as well as pasta harmonise perfectly.

Wine farms with light Chardonnays from our shop:

Rustenberg - Stellenbosch,
Chamonix - Franschhoek,
Glenwood - Franschhoek,
Jordan - Stellenbosch,
Dellheim - Stellenbosch,
De Wetshof - Robertson,
Eikendal - Stellenbosch,
Kleine Zalze - Stellenbosch,
Groote Post - Darling.

You will find full-bodied Chardonnays matured in wooden barrels from these wine farms, among others, in our shop:

Neil Ellis - Stellenbosch,
Hartenberg- Stellenbosch,
Kleine Zalze - Stellenbosch,
Ataraxia - Hermanus,
Paul Cluver - Elgin,
Plaisir De Merle - Paarl,
Waterkloof - Somerset West.