Wines of South Africa

When I teach private wine classes, I always appreciate it when the host chooses unusual wine varieties or more obscure wine regions because it always makes for a lot of great conversation. Recently, for the Austin chapter of the American Association of University Women (celebrating their 100th anniversary), the host selected wines of South Africa.

As I prepared for the class, it struck me that South Africa is quite similar to Texas. Its modern wine industry got its reboot in the 1990s, its wine regions are geographically designated like our AVAs, and like Texas, South Africa does not have to abide by strict wine regulations and instead can experiment with different grape varieties, blending regimes and new techniques. Both make “Old World meets New World” wines.

However, when it comes to wine production, South Africa has a much larger footprint than Texas. It is ranked #8 in wine production behind Italy, France, Spain, USA, Australia, Chile and Argentina. While both South Africa and Texas claim some 500+ wineries, South Africa has about 238,000 acres under vine compared to Texas’ 9,000.

More than half of South Africa’s vineyards are planted to white grapes, including Chenin Blanc (formerly known as Steen), Sauvignon Blanc, Colombard and Chardonnay, and the rest to reds, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinotage and Merlot, among others.

With more than 20 wine districts in South Africa, I selected wines to represent six of them. There was no better place to pick up some great wines than from the Cape Bottle Room, an Austin wine store dedicated to South African wines. Many of the bottles carried the special “Integrity & Sustainability” seal recognizing their commitment to sustainable growing and winemaking practices.

Here’s what I selected for the tasting:

Paul Rene Chardonnay Brut, 2017 — Robertson, Western Cape WO

South Africa’s sparkling wines made in the traditional Champagne method are called Cap Classique.

Notes of pear, peach, lemon and orange with fine bubbles

Landskroon Chenin Blanc 2021 — — Paarl, Western Cape WO

Paarl is one of South Africa’s most famous regions, and South Africa has the most plantings of Chenin Blanc in the world.

Notes of peach, lemon and lime with creamy mouthfeel

7EVEN Sauvignon Blanc 2022 — Stellenbosch, Western Cape WO

Another famous wine region, Stellenbosch has great estates, many of which are planted to Bordeaux varieties. This wine’s label is one of the coolest I have seen; it celebrates the winery’s commitment to preservation of the endangered Renesterveld vegetation and resident fauna.

Notes of grapefruit, lemongrass and passion fruit

Secateurs Rose’ 2022 — Swartland, Western Cape WO

Considered the hip region of South Africa, Swartland is Dutch for ‘black land’ named for native rhinoceros bush that turns black after rain. Who knew?! The Secateurs brand from Badenhorst Family Wines is a tribute to the vineyard workers, named for the pruning shears they use to shape the vines.

100% Mourvèdre and Provencal in style with notes of red fruits, spice and rose water

Natte Valleij Cinsault 2021 — Coastal Region, Western Cape WO

The Coastal Region is the core of the South African wine industry, accounting for half of the vineyard area in the country. The Natte Valleij is synonymous with Cinsault, which is a parent grape to Pinotage.

A lighter red (consider chilling it) with notes of cranberry, raspberry, strawberry and herbs

Beaumont Family Wines Jackals River Pinotage 2020 — Bot River, Walker Bay District of Western Cape

The Bot River takes its name from the Afrikaans word for butter, a product that formed the basis of much of the trade in the 17th Century. Pinotage once suffered a poor reputation because of off-putting aromas, but today’s Pinotages are rich, lush, smoky reds.

Notes of black raspberry, black berry, plum and spice