About White Wines from South Africa

About White Wines from South Africa
Today, South Africa ranks as the eight largest producer of wine in the world. The wines however a still largely a secret, as there has not been a serious marketing push for these products. There are several excellent wine types, both white and red. For the former, Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc have excelled, while for the red, international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are recent successes, joining the local variety Pinotage. The Chenin Blancs offer great varietal purity and are made in a dry to off-dry style. Sauvignon Blancs, especially those from the Western Cape or Stellenbosch areas, offering excellent varietal focus and impressive structure, have been critically praised. However, the reds, thought quite good, are less recognized, with Pinotage still a bit of a mystery as far as its image. Perhaps they producers will be able to get their message across soon about the quality of its wines, which will lead to better consumer recognition and additional sales.

Top Picks for South Africa

White Wines

Coastal Vibes NV  Sauvignon Blanc
92 points
$4
Best Buy
Has the herbal components to pair brilliantly with Thai food, but be careful, this wine is totally dry so it won't help to quench the heat.
92 points $4 Best Buy
Sunscape NV  Sauvignon Blanc
92 points
$9
Best Buy
Herbaceous with restrained fruit aromatics; a beautiful, lean, and textbook example of Sauvignon Blanc.
92 points $9 Best Buy
Babylonstoren 2021 Candide White Blend Western Cape
88 points
$19
A creamy and mellow white wine with interesting nuances.
Frisky Zebras NV Game Ranger Reserve Sensuous Sauvignon Blanc
85 points
$9
Vibrant aromas of peppers and herbs steal the show in this sprightly Sauvignon Blanc.
Frisky Zebras NV Game Ranger Reserve Chenin Blanc
83 points
$29
A silky smooth foray with a lasting peachy finish and herbal nuance.