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South Africa

Wine has been produced in South Africa since the 1600s. Indeed, the iconic sweet wine, Vin de Constance, was bought by European courts in the 18th and 19th Centuries in preference to Yquem, Tokay and Madeira. The modern era of winemaking began in the 1990s after the end of apartheid, but the trend was towards quantity over quality. In the late 1990s a joint venture with some Bordeaux proprietors saw the creation of Anwilka and this helped to re-establish the country's wine reputation.

However, it is only in the past decade or so, thanks to the emergence of ‘New Wave’ winemakers that South Africa has started to show its potential. There are some exciting wines being made from old vine Chenin Blanc and Grenache. Stellenbosch and Franshoek are famous for Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah while Hermanus and Hemel-en-Aarde are home to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Wine has been produced in South Africa since the 1600s. Indeed, the iconic sweet wine, Vin de Constance, was bought by European courts in the 18th and 19th Centuries in preference to Yquem, Tokay and Madeira. The modern era of winemaking began in the 1990s after the end of apartheid, but the trend was towards quantity over quality. In the late 1990s a joint venture with some Bordeaux proprietors saw the creation of Anwilka and this helped to re-establish the country's wine reputation.

However, it is only in the past decade or so, thanks to the emergence of ‘New Wave’ winemakers that South Africa has started to show its potential. There are some exciting wines being made from old vine Chenin Blanc and Grenache. Stellenbosch and Franshoek are famous for Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah while Hermanus and Hemel-en-Aarde are home to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Available Vintages
AllN.V. M.V. B.V. 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018
2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008
2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988
1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 ≤1978
Available Vintages
AllNV MV BV 23 22 21 20 19 18
17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 09 08
07 06 05 04 03 02 01 00 99 98
97 96 95 94 93 92 91 90 89 88
87 86 85 84 83 82 81 80 79
Subregions

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