White Wine and Red Wine Cultivars in South Africa
Info published by Vinyardvarieties:
White Wine Cultivars
Bukettraube - Developed in
Germany, produces quality wines with a distinctive
Muscat bouquet.
South Africa is one of the few wine-producing countries worldwide to bottle Bukettraube as a single varietal wine.
Cape Riesling (Crouchen Blanc) - The variety was wrongly regarded for many years as Weisser Riesling (Rhine Riesling) but was later identified as the Crouchen Blanc of
France. A shy bearer which can produce quality white wines with a delicate yet fruity bouquet and sharp grassy aroma, if growth and ripening conditions are ideal
Chardonnay - A native of
Burgundy, this variety's widely planted throughout the
New World. Locally, much experimentation has been taking place with barrel fermentation and oak ageing of Chardonnay, and excellent wines are being produced. It is also used in some of the base wines from which Cap Classique sparkling wines are made.
Chenel - A local cross between Chenin Blanc and Ugni Blanc which produces a white wine of reasonable quality.
Chenin Blanc (Steen) - The most widely cultivated variety in the
Cape, growers are raising the standard to new levels. Characterised by its versatility, Chenin Blanc produces good natural wines covering the whole spectrum from sweet to dry, as well as sherry and sparkling wine. Its fruitiness finds favour with a wide range of palates. It is also used for distilling brandy and spirits.
Clairette Blanche - Although it is seldom used as a single variety, its presence is essential in many of our light, fruity wines - unusually low in alcohol and acid content.
Emerald Riesling - A relatively new variety from
California which made its commercial debut in 1981. The wines are flavourful and fruity.
Gewürztraminer - A prominent spicy flavour and taste; usually produces a light, off-dry wine.
Muscat d'Alexandrie (Hanepoot) - One of the world's most widely planted and versatile varieties, locally it was probably developed from 'Spaanse dryven' (Spanish grape) cuttings introduced to
South Africa by Jan van Riebeeck in the 1650s. Nowhere else does it form such a high percentage of a country's total grape harvest as in
South Africa, where it is used especially for dessert wine, as well as natural wine and raisins. Hanepoot delivers a strong, flowery bouquet and intense honey flavour.
Muscadel - Used chiefly in dessert wines, it gives an intense, raisin-like bouquet and was historically associated with the famous Constantia dessert wines. Red and white grapes grow mainly in the Breede River region. It belongs to the Muscat family.
Palomino (White French Grape) - A heavy bearer, low in sugar and acid. Used mainly for making sherry and brandy. It produces a neutral wine, best enjoyed young.
Pinot Gris - Planted on a very small scale in
South Africa. The wines are full and well balanced.
Sauvignon Blanc - In combination with Semillon and Muscadel these grapes produce some of the most exceptional white wines of
Bordeaux, including the sweetest Sauternes and driest
Graves. These wines have a distinctive green peppery or grassy character, and are often aged in wood (sometimes labelled Blanc Fumé). Extensively planted in the 18th century, Sauvignon Blanc has now regained popularity and considerably increased its share of plantings
Semillon (Green Grape) - Produces a full yet subtle wine with little acid; often used in blends.
Ugni Blanc (Trebbiano) - Slightly neutral, thin wines which are used almost exclusively in brandy production.
Viognier - Becoming increasingly fashionable internationally, this variety has been grown for centuries in the northern half of the Rhône valley in
France. An early ripener, it produces delicate complex wines with peach, apricot, honey and spice aromas under the right conditions. It is also sometimes blended with
Shiraz (to a maximum of 20%).
Weisser Riesling (Rhine Riesling) - Has adapted well to
South Africa's soil and climate. Produces very full, flavourful wines with excellent fruit acids that develop well with bottle ageing. Wines have a honeyed spicy nose and a flowery sweetness.
Red Wine Cultivars
Cabernet Franc - Related to Cabernet Sauvignon, this variety is usually softer, has a lower sugar content and contains less alcohol. Used as a component in classic, Bordeaux-style blends but also for varietal wines. Small but increasing vineyard area. Unless specified, 'Cabernet' refers to the Sauvignon and not the Franc variety.
Cabernet Sauvignon - An increasingly significant variety at the Cape, it's the foremost variety of the
Bordeaux region of
France. Cabernet Sauvignon produces top-class wines that develop well with age into spicy, full, complex wines. As in
Bordeaux, it may be blended with Merlot or its relative, Cabernet Franc.
Carignan - Flourishes well in warm, dry areas. Originated in
Spain, also widely planted in the south of
France and grown in
North Africa. Insignificant plantings in
South Africa. Produces a light dry wine or is used as a blending component, particularly in Cabernet Sauvignon or
Shiraz.
Cinsaut - Previously known as Hermitage. A strong bearer and very versatile variety - it can be used to blend with Cabernet, to produce reasonably priced early drinking wines, or as quality wine for brandy distilling. It is also often used for rosé, port and jerepigo wines.
South Africa's most widely planted red varietal, it is fast being replaced by more noble varieties.
Cinsaut - Previously known as Hermitage. A strong bearer and very versatile variety - it can be used to blend with Cabernet, to produce reasonably priced early drinking wines, or as quality wine for brandy distilling. It is also often used for rosé, port and jerepigo wines.
South Africa's most widely planted red varietal, it is fast being replaced by more noble varieties.
Gamay Noir - Mainly light red wines in the nouveau style are made of this grape in
France's
Beaujolais region. Several reds are made locally in a similar early drinking style.
Grenache (Noir) - One of Spain's most important varieties, this hardy grape is resistant to drought, wind and sun. Typically used for blending with
Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Malbec - Once a significant part of
Bordeaux's blend but no longer found in the region's best vineyards, this spicy variety is now mainly grown in Cahors in western
France where it's known as 'cot'.
Argentina's signature variety, it's also grown in
Chile. Very small plantings in SA, varietal and blended bottlings.
Merlot - An early ripening variety, traditionally used as a blending partner to add softness and breadth to Cabernet Sauvignon but now increasingly being bottled as a varietal wine, with some superb results locally. Planted in increasing quantities, particularly in the Stellenbosch and Paarl regions.
Mourvèdre - Originated from Spain, where it's known as Monastrell (in California and Australia it's known as Mataro). The spicy notes make it a good blending partner with cultivars like Shiraz. Small vineyard area locally
Muscadel - This variety produces a very popular sweet red wine, particularly in the Little Karoo. Miniscule plantings in South Africa.
Nebbiolo - Big, tannic wines with lengthy ageing potential are made from this grape in its home terroir of Piedmont in Italy. Tiny plantings here
Petit Verdot - This superb variety is used in small percentages in Bordeaux-style blends and can also be made into cultivar wines. Limited plantings locally.
Pinot Noir - The king of
Burgundy but notoriously difficult to grow elsewhere. Although not yet widely planted, this variety is now producing excellent wines in the cooler viticultural areas of
South Africa. Wines tend to be lighter in color with distinct vegetal flavour and aroma. A large proportion is used in Cap Classique sparkling wines.
Pinotage - A local cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut (Hermitage), created by Professor Abraham Perold in 1925, this variety combines the noble characteristics of the former with the reliability of the latter. Unique to
South Africa, it can produce complex and fruity wines with age but is also often very drinkable when young.
Roobernet - A 1960s local cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Pontac, it has an unusual (for reds) grassy character. Withstands diseases particularly well. Can be made into a cultivar wine, also a good blending partner, particularly in combination with Pinotage for a uniquely South African blend.
Ruby Cabernet - A Californian cross between Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon, this prolific producer is suited to warmer areas.
Shiraz - A noble variety of French origin. Better known as Syrah elsewhere, the largest production of
Shiraz is now found in
Australia but local plantings are increasing strongly. Made in several different styles here, it yields deep purple smoky and spicy wines which develop a complex character with age.
Souzào - Originally from
Portugal, this is one of the traditional port varieties. Its high fruit sugar content and strongly pigmented skin give taste and color.
Tinta Barocca - Considered one of the best varieties for the production of port in
South Africa. It produces earthy, organic red wines and is excellent for blending
Touriga Nacional - Regarded as the best variety for port, it's one of the oldest cultivars in the Douro area of
Portugal. Produces wine with a very dark color and a strong ripe berry character with around 13% alcohol.
Zinfandel - This leading Californian variety is planted on a limited scale in
South Africa.
