South African Wine

South African Wines from Great Wines Direct

South African wines have become a common sight in shops recently and are rising in popularity even among wine experts. However, the history of South African wines dates back to the 17th century when the very first bottle was produced by Jan van Riebeeck in Cape Town. Gaining access to an international market brought fresh investment to South Africa’s wine industry and today, production remains concentrated in the Cape Town area, with major production centres and vineyards in Paarl, Constantia, Worcester and Stellenbosch.

South Africa owns only 1.5% of grape vineyards in the world and has around 270,000 acres dedicated to grape cultivation for wine producing. As such it ranks 17th in the world in terms of vineyards. The country produces around 10 million hl every year which ranks it in the top ten of all the world's wine producing nations.

Although the south western corner of South Africa is traditionally the strong hold of the nation’s wine industry, today, wine is also made in the Western cape and Northern Cape regions as well as the Eastern Cape and KawZulu-Natal regions. The areas along the Orange, Olifants and Breede Valley Rivers are some of the country’s warmest regions and therefore are a key spot for wine distillation and production. Cooler areas to the east of Cape Town and along the coast of the Indian Ocean like Elgin and Walker Bay have also begun to see expansion and further development over the last few years with producers experimenting with the cooler climate and different styles of wines.
Most South African wines are popular because of their excellent value for money, thanks to their distinctive tastes and styles that are powerful, elegant and go perfectly with food.

See our picks at our Top South African Wine blog

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White 14

Groot Constantia, Constantia, Sauvignon Blanc 2024 75cl £19.19

Fresh and zesty with uplifting herbaceous notes of gooseberry and asparagus and a refreshing lime zest finish

Red 12.5

Olifantsberg, Breedekloof, Pinotage 2021 75cl £21.56

A beautifully crafted Pinotage showing ripe strawberry and cranberry fruit, elegant and silky

Red 13.5

Creation Wines, Walker Bay, Reserve Pinot Noir 2020 75cl £38.09

A smooth, complex Pinot Noir with bright aromas of roses, dried fruit, raspberry and hints of spice, through to a palate of incredible depth, freshness and precision

Red 13.5

Creation Wines, Walker Bay, Pinot Noir 2020 75cl £27.64

An intensely fragrant and silky smooth Pinot Noir, where the melange of red berries and a whiff of wood spice are complemented by earthy mushroom

Red 14.5

Creation Wines, Walker Bay, Syrah Grenache 2021 75cl £26.84

A plush Syrah Grenache blend with intense flavours of ripe plum, black pepper, tapenade and umami

White 13.5

Creation Wines, Cape South Coast, Reserve Chardonnay 2020 75cl £38.09

An elegant Chardonnay with vibrant grapefruit, fragrant apple, a hint of honey and cinnamon, through to a palate with mineral tension and mouthwatering acidity

White 13.5

Creation Wines, Cape South Coast, Chardonnay 2023 75cl £25.26

A chic, cool-climate Chardonnay, with glorious layers of sun kissed pear and peach enhanced by fresh minerality and hints of spice Full of finesse and elegance

White 14

Creation Wines, Cape South Coast, Viognier 2023 75cl £19.88

Joyful and vivacious Viognier with succulent peach complemented by the subtleties of ripe pear, in a deliciously refreshing, zesty and classic style

White 13

Meinert White Merlot 'The Italian Job' 2020 75cl £28.12

This is an utterly delicious white that tastes very much like barrel-fermented Chardonnay - perhaps from Burgundy It is rich and sumptuous, with creme anglaise, pineapple, butter and delicate wood character Intense, with a sustained, flavoursome finish The wine's story makes it even more fascinating When visiting friends in Zurich, Martin Meinert was introduced to a white wine made with Merlot grapes from Ticino - the southern, Italian, part of Switzerland He loved it so much that he resolved to make one himself, with fantastic results (How to make a white wine with black grapes? Press promptly, and keep the juice and the skins separate to prevent the latter from tinting the former)

Red 14.5

Delaire Graff, Botmaskop, Stellenbosch 2021 75cl £35.30

Delaire Graff's Botmaskop is a refined South African red from the prestigious Stellenbosch estate, known for meticulous viticulture and elegant winemaking. This vintage showcases the complexity and structure characteristic of the region's finest producers. A sophisticated choice for discerning collectors and those seeking depth without ostentation.

White 13.5

Delaire Graff, Banghoek, Stellenbosch, Chardonnay 2022 75cl £34.76

An elegant Chardonnay with nuances of vanilla, peaches and honeycomb complemented by a hint of minerality on the lingering finish

White 13.5

Brookdale Estate, Bradbourne, Paarl, White Blend 2023 75cl £30.70

Complex, smooth and silky with rich aromatics of honeyed peach, hazelnut and racy lime balancing the luscious stone fruits through to a mineral finish

White 12.5

Morgenster The Reserve White 2022 75cl £33.37

This distinguished blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon epitomises the heart and soil of the Morgenster Estate Notes of fresh citrus peel and almond are followed by deeper layers of gooseberry, grapefruit, white peach and quince A final floral hint of peach blossoms and honeysuckle perfectly rounds off the aromas Elegant and enticing, fresh acidity with the zestiness of lemon peel and grapefruit promises good ageing potential Delicious on its own, this versatile wine also pairs with seared tuna, goats cheese, oysters, grilled fish, sushi and pasta al pesto

Red 13.5

Mulderbosch Vineyards, Faithful Hound, Stellenbosch 2022 75cl £18.05

Mulderbosch 'Faithful Hound' is a South African red wine of considerable depth and complexity. Ripe fruit takes centre stage, balanced by smoky, savoury notes that reveal layers of cassis, plum, and dates, with subtle hints of clove and chocolate adding intrigue. The wine's textured palate makes it equally suited to food pairing or contemplative sipping. A distinctive expression from one of South Africa's most respected producers.

Red 13

Wild Garden, Cape Coast, Pinotage 2022 75cl £11.11

A smooth and juicy Pinotage from South Africa's signature variety, delivering vibrant fruity notes of bright plummy and brambly fruit through to a lively finish

Red 13

Benguela Cove Pinot Noir 75cl £18.98 £19.50

Benguela Cove Pinot Noir has upfront red fruit which sets the stage for more subdued nuances of mulberry, rosehip and violets to follow suit. As it matures, this wine will unveil a more savoury play of bay leaf and thyme, hinting towards an Old World style. Pruned, sappy rosebush notes are indicative of youth with elegant floral notes that carries through. Fruit sweetness hits the back of the palate with porcelain-like tannins that will chisel this into a serious and powerful wine to be.