Top 100 white wines of South Africa

Discover the top 100 best white wines of South Africa as well as the best winemakers in the region. Explore the varietals of the white wines that are popular of South Africa and the best vintages to taste in this region.

Discovering the wine region of South Africa

South Africa is one of the most important wine producing countries in the southern hemisphere. With over 300 years of wine making history, it is often described as a bridge between the Old and New Worlds. The majority of wines are produced using New World winemaking techniques, but they often have more stylistic similarities with their Old World counterparts. Since the end of apartheid, South African wine has received international attention and recognition for its wide variety of styles.

The South African wine industry is spread across the lush and rugged landscape of the Western Cape. Here, the abundance of mountains, valleys and plateaus allows winemakers to produce a wide variety of styles. Wineries can also be found in the Orange River region of the Northern Cape, where the flat, arid landscape is dominated by the Kalahari Desert. Most of South Africa's wine regions have a MediterraneanClimate, strongly influenced by the meeting of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

The country's signature Grape is Pinotage">Pinotage, an indigenous cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut that is rarely found in quantity in any other wine producing country. Shiraz is also widespread, as are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (often combined in a Bordeaux blend). However, white grape varieties account for 55% of the country's 96,000 hectares of vineyards. Chenin Blanc is the most planted grape variety in the republic with 18.

Discover the grape variety: Verdelho

The white Verdelho is a grape variety that originated in Portugal. It produces a variety of grape specially used for the elaboration of wine. It is rare to find this grape to eat on our tables. This variety of grape is characterized by small bunches, and grapes of medium size. The white Verdelho can be found cultivated in these vineyards: Languedoc & Roussillon, Rhone Valley, South West.

Food and wine pairing with a white wine of South Africa

white wines from the region of South Africa go well with generally quite well with dishes of shellfish, lean fish or fruity desserts such as recipes of seafood and mushroom quiche, papillote of fish with cumin onions or express cherry clafoutis.

Organoleptic analysis of white wine of South Africa

On the nose in the region of South Africa often reveals types of flavors of butterscotch, clove or chestnut and sometimes also flavors of petroleum, acacia or papaya. In the mouth in the region of South Africa is a powerful with a nice freshness.

News from the vineyard of South Africa

A perfect storm: Nutri-Score, alcohol and health

The situation has been developing for a long time. But the potentially explosive elements are growing in intensity and coming together as if by some invisible magnetic force. In 2011, Regulation No. 1169 (which amended earlier regulations going back to 2006) was adopted in European Parliament calling for a system to provide food nutrition information to consumers. Shortly thereafter, the French Ministry of Health instructed Santé Publique France, the national public health agency, to create a co ...

Join Decanter’s Brunello di Montalcino masterclass in New York

We’re excited to host the Brunello di Montalcino – A Study In Contrasts masterclass at the debut Decanter Fine Wine Encounter NYC taking place in the heart of Manhattan’s Financial District on Saturday, 18th June. The best Brunello di Montalcino wines sit alongside some of the world’s greats. Known for their elegant yet concentrated fruits and powerful, structured style this unmissable masterclass will offer Italian wine lovers a fantastic opportunity to get to grips with the terroir, styl ...

Decanter World Wine Awards 2022: Results announced

The world’s largest and most influential wine competition, Decanter World Wine Awards results offer a definitive guide to the dynamic world of wine. Each year’s results offer surprises and revelations, highlighting growth in quality and consistency – or lack thereof. An all-time record for wines tasted, discover the results from the 19th edition of the competition. Quick links to DWWA 2022 results Search all Best in Show medals Search all Platinum medals Search all Gold medals Search ...