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

Morgenster Extra Virgin Olive Oil 50cl 50cl NV £12.67

"Intense fresh cut green grass, green tomatoes, almonds and artichokes with a hint of peppery heat - a sign of a very high-quality olive oil This Olive Oil consitently ranks in the world's top 20 and has won just about every Olive Oil award going Meant to be enjoyed straight away - in Morgenster's own words, ""pour it, don't store it!"" "

White 13

Ken Forrester Wines Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc 2024 75cl £16.51

A full bodied, well rounded wine, that is a great example of the harmonious balance which can be achieved between fruit and delicate oak flavours, as they combine to produce gentle complexity Bursting with dried apricot and pineapple, a hint of vanilla and some typical Chenin honey notes on the long-lasting finish

Red 14

Groot Constantia, 'Lady of Abundance' 2021 75cl £18.07

Groot Constantia's 'Lady of Abundance' is a distinguished South African wine from one of the Cape's most historic estates. This vintage showcases the region's terroir with elegance and depth, delivering a refined expression that reflects the vineyard's commitment to quality winemaking.

Red 14.5

Benguela Cove Cabernet Sauvignon 75cl £18.98 £19.50

'Cab is King', they say, and a cool climate wine region carries that crown with flair. Assertively Benguela Cove Cabernet Sauvignon with those quintessential aromas of dried herbs, salty liquorice, robust dark fruit and astute tannins. The broody fruit is elevated by a youthful acidity that adds to its power with sour cherry and a silky texture that trails behind.

White 13.5

Benguela Cove Sauvignon Blanc 75cl £15.98 £16.50

Benguela Cove Sauvignon Blanc has an attractive and racy character, toned with nuances of kiwi and citrus, elevated by hints of gunflint, a fresh minerality and great length to conclude. Pungent tropical aromas lingers on the palate with a persistent and mouth watering acidity.

Red 14

Thelema Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 75cl £25.01

This wine has a complex nose of mint, blackcurrant and chocolate and the palate is juicy and ripe There is a good layer of toasty oak in the background to complement the black cherry and cassis fruit flavours and grippy mid-palate tannin Very long, clean and elegant on the finish

Red 14.5

Ken Forrester Wines Reserve Pat's Garden 2020 75cl £16.07

Hints of coffee, chocolate and ripe berry fruits supported by smooth, firm tannin for soft early drinking

White 12.5

Hazy View, Western Cape, Chenin Blanc 2024 75cl £9.88

Rounded flavours of ripe pineapple and mango with a fresh balanced hint of sweetness

Red 14.5

Groot Constantia, Constantia, Merlot 2021 75cl £24.74

Juicy plum and vanilla flavours complemented by a slight hint of mocha, capsicum and chocolate Packs a punch of flavour

Red 13

Hazy View, Western Cape, Pinotage 2023 75cl £10.66

Warm berried fruit with smoky and tobacco hints, this is a modern expression of South Africa's signature grape

Red 13.5

Meinert Le Berry Red 75cl NV £12.36

Le Berry Red is a sumptuous blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot It has mature fruit, lavish coconut and butterscotch oak character and rounded, succulent texture It is made of Bordeaux grape varieties, but the style is reminiscent of old school Rioja

White 13.5

Benguela Cove Chardonnay 75cl £18.98 £19.50

Benguela Cove Chardonnay shows aromas of melon, floral blooms and lime with nuances of gunflint and green apple. The palate is well balanced by integrated oaking, displaying notes of citrus, minerality and roasted nuts. It is austere, yet vibrant and textured, with a lingering and refreshing finish.

Red 14.5

Benguela Cove Collage 75cl £18.98 £19.50

This Benguela Cove Collage is ruby red in colour, this classic, multi-faceted Bordeaux styled blend shows aromas of plum, violets, clove spice and cigar box. On the palate, hints of raspberry, boiled sweets and licorice is accompanied by a chalky tannin structure and layers of sweet spice with an overall seamless finish.

White 13

Spioenkop Wines, '1900', Elgin, Sauvignon Blanc 2018 75cl £11.03

Spioenkop Wines' '1900' is a South African Sauvignon Blanc from the cool-climate Elgin region, delivering a sophisticated balance of ripe stone fruit and vibrant citrus. Expect layered notes of passion fruit, lemon zest, and grapefruit, underpinned by mineral precision and a creamy texture that speaks to careful winemaking.

White 13.5

Thelema Mountain Vineyards Sutherland Sauvignon Blanc 2025 75cl £12.80

The cool, coastal Elgin district makes the perfect home for this classic grape variety The wine is light gold in colour with youthful flashes of lime green, and on the nose is aromatic with aromas of bell peppers and fresh crushed herbs On the palate the wine is dry with a mouthwatering streak of minerals, hints of sub-tropical fruit and a layer of grassy gooseberry flavours that merge sublimely with a limey, crisp finish Elegant and lengthy, this wine offers some lovely drinking at a very reasonable price

White 13

Cape Point Vineyards, Coastal Region, Sauvignon Blanc 2024 75cl £13.70

A deliciously refreshing Sauvignon Blanc offering notes of freshly picked apricot, ripe pear, lime and orange blossom with a hint of fynbos and dried herbs