List of the Best Red Wines in South Africa
What is a Red Wine?
A red wine is a type of wine made by fermenting grapes that are darkly colored. It is typically made using a combination of different grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel. Red wines are usually aged in oak barrels, which adds complexity and flavor to the wine. Red wines are often dry, full-bodied, and have a deep, earthy flavor. Red wines can be enjoyed with a variety of foods, including grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and even dark chocolate.
How to Know a Good Bottle of Red Wine
- Price: High-quality red wines often have a higher price tag.
- Region: Look for wines from well-known wine regions, such as Bordeaux, Napa Valley, or Tuscany.
- Vintage: Opt for recent vintages, as they tend to be of higher quality.
- Grape variety: Wines made from specific grape varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir, can be an indicator of quality.
- Winery reputation: Research the winery and their reputation for producing high-quality wines.
- Tasting notes: Look for tasting notes from wine experts, such as wine critics or sommeliers, to get a sense of a wine’s quality and flavor profile.
- Personal preference: Ultimately, a good bottle of red wine is one that you enjoy and that meets your personal taste preferences.
What Is the Most Popular Red Wine in South Africa?
One of the most popular red wines in South Africa is the Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine has a rich, earthy flavor and is often blended with other grapes like Merlot and Shiraz. In 2020, the International Wine and Spirits Competition awarded the Nico Van Der Merwe Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 with a Silver medal, recognizing its complexity and quality. Furthermore, Bartinney Skyfall Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 and Quoin Rock’s Red Blend 2015 were both awarded Gold medals. For those looking for a more mellow wine, the Vilafonté Series C 2014 and Origin Wine’s Tesco Finest Shiraz 2020 also won Gold medals. The most extravagant South African red wine is the 2015 Tokara ‘Telos’, which carries a $388 price tag, while the 2012 De Toren The Black Lion Shiraz is the second most expensive South African red wine at $378.
What Is the Best Wine in South Africa?
Some of the best red wines South Africa has to offer is the Chocoholic Pinotage, Vilafonté’s Series C 2014, 2015 Tokara ‘Telos’, 2012 De Toren The Black Lion Shiraz, 2009 Delaire Graff Estate Laurence Graff Reserve, and 2014 Kanonkop Black Label.
Other brands of red wines include;
- Kanonkop Paul Sauer
- Rust en Vrede Estate
- Warwick Estate
- Waterford Estate
- Meerlust Estate
- Thelema Mountain Vineyards
- Steenberg Vineyards
- Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines
- Guardian Peak
- De Trafford Wines.
What Red Wine Is South Africa Known For?
South African red wines are known for their unique blend of New and Old World characters, thanks to the array of flora in the Western Cape. The signature grape of the country is Pinotage, which is often featured in South African reds. Other popular varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Malbec. The IWSC’s 2020 winners include Quoin Rock’s Red Blend 2015, Glen Carlou’s Syrah 2018, Nicolas Van Der Merwe Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Bartinney Skyfall Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, and Vilafonté, Series C 2014.
What Wine Is Cape Town Known For?
Cape Town, South Africa is known for producing several varietals of wine, including:
- Chenin Blanc: One of South Africa’s most widely planted grape varieties, known for its versatility and vibrant acidity.
- Cabernet Sauvignon: Known for producing rich, full-bodied red wines with bold flavors of black fruit and spices.
- Shiraz/Syrah: One of the most popular red wines in South Africa, known for its dark fruit and spice notes.
- Pinotage: A South African grape variety that crosses Pinot Noir and Cinsault, known for its smoky, earthy, and spicy flavors.
What Wine Is Unique to South Africa?
The wine varietal Pinotage is unique to South Africa. It is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault and is known for its smoky, earthy, and spicy flavors. This grape variety is found almost exclusively in South Africa and is considered one of the country’s signature wines.
How Much Is a Good Bottle of Wine in South Africa?
A good bottle of wine in South Africa can cost anywhere from R244.01 to R6,780.13, depending on the brand and vintage. For example, a 2015 Tokara ‘Telos’ was released at R6,780.13 and is considered a delicious South African red wine. The most expensive wines from South Africa typically cost more than the average.
What Is the Most Famous Drink in South Africa?
One of the most famous drinks in South Africa is the Amarula liqueur. This creamy and sweet drink is made from the fruit of the marula tree and is often served over ice or added to coffee. Other popular South African drinks include Van der Hum, Mampoer, Witblits, Springbokkie Shooter, Umqombothi, Century City, and island club. Mampoer is the fruitier cousin of Witblits and generally a bit gentler on the tongue. It is primarily made out of peach, apricot, and litchi, and is usually enjoyed in the northern parts of South Africa.
What Wines Are Stellenbosch Known For?
Stellenbosch produces various wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinotage, Shiraz, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The wines of Stellenbosch are particularly renowned for their unique mineral notes, which many believe to be the product of their decomposed granite soils. Cabernet Sauvignon is widely considered to be the best of all the wines from Stellenbosch.
What Wine Is Franschhoek Known For?
Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah are the two most common red wines produced in Franschhoek, while Chardonnay and Semillon are the two most popular white wines. Boekenhoutskloof, Stony Brook, Mont Rochelle and Topiary are some of the top wineries in the region.
What Is Kylie Jenner’s Favorite Wine?
Kylie Jenner’s absolute favorite wine is Château Margaux. This French Bordeaux blend has a rich flavor with notes of dark fruit and earthy spices, making it the perfect accompaniment for any special occasion.
What Is Oprah’s Favorite Wine?
Pinot Grigio is one of Oprah Winfrey’s favorite wines. She has mentioned it in interviews, saying that it is her favorite white wine.
What Is Obama’s Favorite Wine?
President Barack Obama’s favorite wine is reportedly a pinot noir from the Napa Valley. He has been known to enjoy the occasional glass of red when out for dinner with close friends and family, or for special occasions. According to an interview he gave to The New York Times in 2011, Obama’s favorite wine from the Napa Valley was a pinot noir from the Silver Oak winery. He also has a fondness for chardonnays, sauvignon blancs, and rieslings from the same region.
What Is Johnny Depp’s Favourite Wine?
Château Calon-Ségur, a Saint-Estèphe third-growth is one of Johnny Depp’s favorite wines. Depp has made no secret of his love for wine, particularly Bordeaux, and he’s told reporters that Cheval-Blanc, Pétrus and Château Calon-Ségur are his favorites.
What Is Mark Wahlberg’s Favorite Wine?
Mark Wahlberg’s favorite wine is the Sassicaia 2010, which he introduced to Jimmy Butler back in 2013 when the two first met. Butler was so impressed by the wine that he now keeps between 500 and 600 bottles of it in his collection.
