of red wine dominated the wine of choice and is used as a celebratory drink and toasts at banquets, ceremonies and special occasions.
Cabernet Franc - Related to Cabernet Sauvignon, this variety is usually softer, has a lower sugar content and contains less alcohol. It is used as a component in classic, Bordeaux-style blends, but also for varietal wines. Small but increasing vineyard area. Unless noted, "Cabernet" refers to the Sauvignon and Franc varieties do not.
Cabernet Sauvignon - all important variety in the Cape, it is primarily the diversity of the Bordeaux region in France. Cabernet Sauvignon produces wines that develop with age and the spicy, full, complex wines. As in Bordeaux, can be blended with Merlot or its cousin, Cabernet Franc.
Carignan - thrives well in hot, dry areas. It originated in Spain, is also widely grown in southern France, and grew up in North Africa. Minor Plants in South Africa. Produces light dry wine, or used as a blending component, especially in Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz.
Cinsaut - Formerly known as Hermitage.Jaka bearer and very versatile choice - can be used to blend with Cabernet, producing affordable early drinking wine, quality wine or brandy for distillation. It is also often used for roses, and jerepigo port wine. After South Africa's most planted red variety, vineyard area is reduced as is replaced by more noble varieties.
Cinsaut - Formerly known as Hermitage.Jaka bearer and very versatile choice - can be used to blend with Cabernet, producing affordable early drinking wine, quality wine or brandy for distillation. It is also often used for roses, and jerepigo port wine. After South Africa's most planted red variety, vineyard area is reduced as is replaced by more noble varieties.
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Grenache (black) - One of Spain's most important species which is known as Garnacha, this hardy grape is resistant to drought, wind and sun. Usually used for blending with Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Malbec - After a significant part of the Bordeaux blend, but no longer find the best vineyards in the region, this spicy variety now mostly grown in Cahors in western France, where it is known as' Cot. "Argentina's signature grape variety, it is also grown in Chile. Very small plant in SA, the variety and blended bottlings.
Merlot - an early maturing variety, which is traditionally used as a blending partner to add softness and breadth to Cabernet Sauvignon but now increasingly bottled as a variety of wines, with some excellent results at the local level. Planted in greater quantities, especially in the Stellenbosch and Paarl regions.
Mourvèdre - originates from Spain, where it is known as Monastrell (in California and Australia it is known as Mataro). The spicy notes make it a good blending partner of varieties such as Shiraz. A small vineyard area at the local level.
Muscadel - This variety produces a very popular sweet red wine, especially in the Little Karoo. Miniscule plants in South Africa.
Nebbiolo - big, tannic wines with aging potential lengthy made from this grape in its home terroir of Piedmont in Italy. Tiny plants here.
Petit Verdot - This superb selection is used in small percentages in Bordeaux-style blends and can also be cultivar wines. Limited plants at the local level.
Pinot Noir - the king of Burgundy, but notoriously difficult to grow elsewhere. Although still not widely planted, this variety is now producing excellent wines in the cooler viticultural areas of South Africa. Wines tend to be lighter in color with different flavors and mirisa.Velik plant part used in Cap Classique sparkling wines.
Pinotage - a local cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut (Desert), created by Professor Abraham Perold in 1925, this variety combines the noble qualities of the former with the reliability of the latter. Unique to South Africa, can produce complex and fruity wines with age, but is also often very drinkable when young. With great strides made in making Pinotage, South Africa's own choice is rapidly gaining greater acceptance and finding favor in the world as a sort bottles and mix. "Cape blend 'is a term that generally means developing a red blend with Pinotage as a component for generating 30-70 percent of the wine.
Roobernet - 1960 local cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Pontac, has an unusual (for reds) grassy character. To submit to the disease particularly well. Can the varieties of wine, also good mixing partners, especially in combination with Pinotage for a uniquely South African blend.
Ruby Cabernet -. Californian cross between Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon, this prolific producer is suitable for warmer areas
Shiraz - a noble variety of French origin. Better known as Syrah elsewhere, now the largest production of Shiraz is located in Australia, but local plants are grown. Manufactured in several different styles here, it gives a deep purple smoke and spicy wine that develops a complex character with age.
Souzào - Originally from Portugal, this is one of the traditional port varieties. Its high sugar content of fruit and strongly pigmented skin give taste and color.
Tinta Barocca - Considered one of the best varieties for the production of port in South Africa. It produces earthy, organic red wines and is excellent for mixing.
Touriga Nacional - considered the best for a variety of ports, it is one of the oldest varieties in the Douro in Portugal. Produces wine with a very dark color and strong ripe berry character with around 13% alcohol.
Zinfandel -. This leading Californian grape variety (same as Italy's Primitivo) is planted on a smaller scale in South Africa