Africa
South Africa
The Cape's dramatic landscape produces Pinotage, elegant old-vine Chenin Blanc and some of the new world's most exciting red blends.
South Africa's winelands concentrate in the Western Cape, dominated by the city of Stellenbosch and the dramatic mountains of the Cape Winelands. It is a country of striking quality-per-price, with a distinctive sense of place born of centuries of winemaking.
Its signature grape is Pinotage, a uniquely South African cross of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut, but its greatest strength may be old-vine Chenin Blanc - the Cape grows more old Chenin than anywhere on earth, producing textured, honeyed whites of real depth.
The best South African reds - Bordeaux-style blends from Stellenbosch, Shiraz from Swartland, Pinotage at its best - are among the New World's most food-friendly and characterful wines.
Wine Regions
All regions →Notable Wines
All wines →Kanonkop Kadette
Stellenbosch · 2024 (representative vintage)
Kanonkop Kadette is an red wine from South Africa, in the Stellenbosch region (South Africa's Western Cape, in a valley around the historic university town of Stellenbosch, near Cape Town.), made principally from Pinotage. Stellenbosch's most famous Pinotage — smoky, structured and proudly South African.
$25–$40 est. retail
Meerlust Rubicon
Stellenbosch · 2024 (representative vintage)
Meerlust Rubicon is an red wine from South Africa, in the Stellenbosch region (South Africa's Western Cape, in a valley around the historic university town of Stellenbosch, near Cape Town.), made principally from Cabernet Sauvignon. The original Cape Bordeaux blend (1980), still the region's benchmark of Stellenbosch elegance.
$40–$60 est. retail
Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon
Stellenbosch · 2024 (representative vintage)
Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon is an red wine from South Africa, in the Stellenbosch region (South Africa's Western Cape, in a valley around the historic university town of Stellenbosch, near Cape Town.), made principally from Cabernet Sauvignon. a house-style Stellenbosch cabernet sauvignon that showcases the grape in this region.
$14–$34 est. retail
Stellenbosch Pinot Noir
Stellenbosch · 2024 (representative vintage)
Stellenbosch Pinot Noir is an red wine from South Africa, in the Stellenbosch region (South Africa's Western Cape, in a valley around the historic university town of Stellenbosch, near Cape Town.), made principally from Pinot Noir. a house-style Stellenbosch pinot noir that showcases the grape in this region.
$14–$34 est. retail
Stellenbosch Shiraz
Stellenbosch · 2024 (representative vintage)
Stellenbosch Shiraz is an red wine from South Africa, in the Stellenbosch region (South Africa's Western Cape, in a valley around the historic university town of Stellenbosch, near Cape Town.), made principally from Shiraz. a house-style Stellenbosch shiraz that showcases the grape in this region.
$14–$34 est. retail
Stellenbosch Chardonnay
Stellenbosch · 2024 (representative vintage)
Stellenbosch Chardonnay is an white wine from South Africa, in the Stellenbosch region (South Africa's Western Cape, in a valley around the historic university town of Stellenbosch, near Cape Town.), made principally from Chardonnay. a house-style Stellenbosch chardonnay that showcases the grape in this region.
$12–$28 est. retail
Buying South Africa Wine
- › Old-vine Chenin Blanc is South Africa's greatest value secret - look for 'Steen' (local name for Chenin) and producers like Mullineux and Sadie Family.
- › Stellenbosch Bordeaux blends and Swartland Shiraz are excellent; Pinotage is best when made in a serious, structured style.
- › South African sparkling (Méthode Cap Classique) rivals good Champagne at a fraction of the price.