Rating of the best wines of South Africa for 2022

The wines of South Africa are quite young, but at the same time rapidly gaining popularity. They have their own characteristics of taste, aroma and method of serving. When choosing any alcoholic product, you need to know how to get a drink of good quality, affordable price, and which type is suitable for certain situations. In the article, we will consider what popular models and novelties are on the market, what types of wines are, and what to look for when buying.

Description

Initially, South Africa produced more white drinks (about 80%) and only a small proportion (20%) were red. Today, this indicator has changed, South Africa produces a sufficient amount of red, rosé and white wines.

Regions of growth and production

The region of growth is an important indicator, it directly affects the taste characteristics of alcohol. There are 6 geographical associations in South Africa: the largest is the Western Cape, the rest are the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Kvalu-atal, Free State, North Cape.

The taste of drinks

White wines are balanced. They are easy to drink, the aftertaste is not sharp, the astringency is mild, the Riesling and Shenin Ban varieties have sourness and oaky notes.

Red wines have a juicy fruit base, even in dry varieties, and sweet varieties do not seem cloying, easy to drink. The aftertaste is rich and long.

Type of drinks

There are 4 main types of wine: dry, semi-dry, sweet, semi-sweet. Let's analyze each type in more detail:

1. Dry.Sugar in it is 0.3%, has an increased acidity and astringency in the aftertaste. It is considered the most useful, due to the low sugar content. But, the benefit will be manifested only if you drink alcohol in a strictly limited amount.
2. Semi-dry. Balanced product, sugar in it is 4-18 g/l. Soft fruity taste with citrus notes.
3. Sweet. The sugar content is from 45 g/l. The aroma is fruity and berry, often enriched with nuts and spices. Made from sweet grapes.
4. Semi-sweet. The share of sugar is 18 - 45 g / l, the fortress varies from 10% to 12%. Soft drink with a long fruity aftertaste. It has a rich vibrant color. It can have different shades of taste, depending on the grape variety.

Product combination

Each type of wine is suitable for certain dishes:

• Pinotage is suitable for fish, spicy dishes, hard cheeses;
• sauvignon blanc is most often used as an aperitif, as well as for poultry and seafood;
• chenin blanc goes well with fish, white meat and light salads;
• Cabernet Sauvignon is ideal with meat (beef) and mature cheeses;
• chardonnay is served with pasta and seafood;
• Pinot noir goes well with fish and meat;
• Muscat is served mainly with desserts;
• shiraz is combined with meat or fruit snacks;
• Cabernet Franc is served as an aperitif or for smoked meats;
• Semillon is combined with almost any dish, meat, poultry, cheeses, snacks, seafood.

Criterias of choice

Below are the main recommendations for choosing a drink:

1. Originality. It is necessary to be able to distinguish original drinks from a fake. To do this, you need to find the mark WO (Wine of Origin) on the label, it indicates the certification of alcohol according to international standards.There should also be a manufacturer's logo, find inscriptions in Afrikaans, which is one of the official languages ​​of South Africa. On the label, look for the words Oesjaar (meaning the year of harvest) and Oorsprong (meaning the place of production).
2. The best manufacturers. Try to purchase products of well-known brands that have proven themselves in the alcohol market. This reduces the risk of purchasing low-quality alcohol.
3. Price. Inexpensive options (from 400 rubles) are most often made from low-quality raw materials or diluted with chemical components. When purchasing budget drinks, be prepared that the taste will differ from the original expensive options. Good wines of expensive varieties cannot be cheap; you can buy a quality drink in the amount of up to 14,000 rubles.
4. Where could I buy. You can buy alcohol in ordinary supermarkets, specialized alcohol stores or order online in an online store. Pay attention to the presence of a license and a quality certificate for products, regardless of where alcohol is purchased.
5. gastronomic characteristics. This indicator differs for different types of wine. That is why, when buying wine, you should take into account not only the dishes to which it will be served, but also your needs, if you do not like sourness, then buy sweet or semi-sweet wine, if, on the contrary, you are not enthusiastic about sweet drinks, buy dry or semi-dry.
6. Appearance. It is good if the bottle of wine is transparent, and you can see the color and sediment at the bottom of the bottle. If the bottle is opaque, then pay attention to its appearance, it should not have chips, cracks, glue drips, crooked labels and excise stamps. The appearance of the bottle must be impeccable, this once again proves the authenticity of the product.

Rating of quality wines in South Africa

The rating includes the best options, according to buyers. The review, consumer reviews, the popularity of models on the market and the functionality of wines were taken as the basis.

White

KWV, Classic Collection Sauvignon Blanc, 0.75 L

White, dry, light golden wine, 12.1 5 vol., made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes. The taste is light, juicy and with a soft texture, hints of lime. The finish is balanced, seamless. Can be consumed immediately, can be stored for 2-3 years. Average price: 635 rubles.

• lung;
• saturated;
• balanced.

• not identified.

Bellingham, Hand Picked Viognier, 2017, 0.75 L

Dry, made from Viognier grapes, 2017 harvest (13.5% by volume). The wines of this manufacturer are “handmade”, which distinguishes them favorably on the market. This type can be used as an aperitif, goes well with chicken, pasta, creamy sauces. Price: 1854 rubles.

• "handmade";
• reliable manufacturer;
• rich aftertaste.

• not identified.

Fairview La Capra Chenin Blanc, 2017, 0.75 L

The drink is light yellow in color and has aromas of figs, honey, lime, and pear. Vintage 2017, ABV 13.5% vol. It goes well with various salads, chicken and fish dishes. Grapes are harvested from both old and young vines. The wine is young, it is recommended to drink it immediately or for 2-3 years. Average price: 1287 rubles.

• harmonious, refreshing aftertaste with a creamy texture;
• pronounced taste;
• reliable manufacturer with a long history.

• not identified.

Lanzerac Chenin Blanc Jonkershoek Valley WO, 0.75 L

The wine is golden in color, has a rich juicy taste of guava, pineapple, melon and citrus notes. It is combined with rolls, sushi, seafood.Serving temperature: 8 degrees. Growing region: Stellenbosch. Price: 1387 rubles.

• beautiful design of the bottle;
• expressive, honey aftertaste;
• high quality raw materials.

• not identified.

KWV, Pearly Bay Dry White, 3 L

Dry wine, 12.1% vol., made from Colombard and Chenin Blanc grapes. Packed in a 3 liter cardboard box. Light, full-bodied wine, with an optimal combination of two grape varieties. Price: 1220 rubles.

• lung;
• crispy, clean aftertaste;
• reliable manufacturer.

• not identified.

Val de Vie Barista Chardonnay 0.75 l

It has a yellow color with golden reflections, made from Chardonnay grapes, has notes of citrus, peach and vanilla. It is poured into transparent glass bottles with a volume of 0.75 liters. Has a fortress: 13.5% vol. Price: 1044 rubles.

• rich aroma;
• saturated;
• citrus aftertaste.

• not identified.

Simonsig, Chardonnay, 2017, 0.75 L

White, dry wine, made from Chardonnay grapes, has a strength: 13% vol. Harvest 2017. Colour: golden straw. Suitable for any seafood, fish, pasta and mature cheeses. Possesses the balanced acidity and graceful aftertaste. Price: 1360 rubles.

• classic wine;
• high varietal characteristics;
• medium saturation.

• not identified.

Red

KWV, Classic Collection Pinotage, 0.75 L

The company produces high quality wines at a relatively low cost. Dry wine made from Pinotage grapes. It has a pleasant aroma of cherries and plums, a long rich, delicate aftertaste. Fortress: 14.5 turns. Price: 680 rubles.

• balanced;
• optimal price-quality ratio;
• verified company.

• not identified.

Bellingham, Bush Vine Pinotage, 2016, 0.75 L

Harvest 2016. Dry, red, full-bodied, dark ruby ​​color with violet hints. The company has been producing wines for many years, all their products are of high quality. The vineyards are irrigated only in a natural way, this allows to concentrate a large amount of aromatic substances and transfer them to the wine. Price: 2318 rubles.

• high quality;
• modern production technologies;
• reliable manufacturer.

• not identified.

Boschendal 1685 Shiraz, 2016 0.75 L

Wine red-ruby, dry, turnover 14%. Grape Variety: Shiraz. Vintage: 2016 Fruity and spicy, with notes of mulberry, cranberry, spices. Has a long fruity aftertaste. The vineyards use green collection to improve the quality of wine products. Price: 1548 rubles.

• saturated;
• beautiful bottle design;
• reliable manufacturer.

• strong enough.

African Passion Cabernet Sauvignon, 0.75 L

Made from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Semi-dry, rich, dense-bodied, with berry notes. It goes well with meat, pizza, cheeses, pasta. The aftertaste is of medium length, unobtrusive. Average price: 560 rubles.

• optimal cost;
• saturated;
• high quality grapes.

• fortress 14% of revolutions.

Fairview La Capra Pinotage, 2017, 0.75 L

The drink is bright purple in color, made from Pinotage grapes. Vintage: 2017. Appellation: Coastal Region WO. Dry, medium-bodied wine, ideally combined with meat dishes. It has a multifaceted rich aroma of blueberries, black currants, cherries. Price: 1287 rubles.

• rich drink;
• classic bottle design
• vineyards are irrigated only naturally.

• uniform aftertaste.

Massai Shiraz 0.75 l

Red semi-dry dark cherry, made from Shiraz grapes. Rounded, spicy, mature taste, long aftertaste. Turnover: 14.5%. Produced in a tinted glass bottle. It goes well with meat dishes, with smoked meats. Price: 650 rubles.

• fresh aroma;
• spicy aftertaste;
• classic bottle design.

• strong enough.

Robertson Winery, Natural Sweet Red, 0.75 L

Sweet wine 9% turnover, made from ruby ​​Cabernet grapes. It has a rich red-ruby hue, velvety and soft taste. The grapes are harvested at an early stage of maturity, thus ensuring the weakness of alcohol. Price: 533 rubles.

• original bottle design;
• low alcohol;
• reliable manufacturer.

• unsaturated taste.

Pink

KWV, Pearly Bay Rose, 0.75 L

Semi-sweet, light wine made from Pinotage and Chenin Blanc grape varieties grown in the Western Cape near the coast. Volume 0.75 l., 12% of turnover. The bottle is made in a restrained style. The transparent glass allows you to see the color of the wine. Cost: 450 rubles.

• price;
• lung;
• trusted brand.

• not identified.

Bellingham, Berry Bush Rose, 2019, 0.75 L

Dry drink, has a juicy, summer, berry-fruity taste. The color is bright, pink with an orange tint. Crop year: 2019. Bottle volume: 0.75 l., turnover 12.5% ​​vol. The grape grows on plantations in the Darling sub-region. Cost: 765 rubles.

• rich taste;
• special production technology;
• does not undergo long exposure, due to which it retains a juicy, rich aroma.

• not identified.

Lanzerac Pinotage Rose Jonkershoek Valley WO 0.75 l

The wine is dry, pale pink in color, with coral tints. The aroma is light, clean, with hints of strawberries, garden roses and currants. The raw material comes from the Stellenbosch region. It is bottled in transparent glass bottles. Fortress: 12.5% ​​vol. Cost: 1387 rubles.

• aftertaste with hints of refreshing acidity;
• suitable for many dishes;
• rich taste and aroma.

• not identified.

Fish Hoek Cinsault Rose 0.75 l

The composition includes Cinsault grapes from the Western Cape region. It has a rich pink color with a red tint. Serving temperature: 10-12 degrees. Fortress: 13% vol. It is bottled in a transparent glass bottle with a volume of 0.75 liters. Cost: 504 rubles.

• ideal for summer barbecues;
• light, fresh;
• refreshing aftertaste.

• not identified.

Boschendal The Rose Garden Rose, 0.75 L

Rosé, dry wine made from Merlot grape varieties, Pinotage. Pale pink color with purple hues. Pairs well with oysters, fruit appetizers, light salads and meat dishes. Cost: 927 rubles.

• soft balanced aftertaste;
• noble bottle design;
• quality raw materials.

• not identified.

Goedverwacht Family Vines Great Expectations Shiraz Rose 2017 0.75 L

Made from Shiraz grapes. Appellation: Robertson Valley W.O. Type: quiet, ideal for fish, salads, cheeses. Serving temperature: 8-10 degrees. Soft salmon color. The taste is berry, elegant. The finish is long, with cherry aroma. Cost: 895 rubles.

• optimal combination of price and quality;
• recognizable brand;
• high quality raw materials.

• assembled by machine.

Cloof, Bush Vines Pinotage Rose, 2018

Dry wine with strawberry aroma, light salmon color, rich aftertaste. Aged for 2 months in steel vats on the lees. Growing region: Coastal region (Darling sub-region). Cost: 650 rubles.

• soft, fruity;
• long aftertaste;
• bright packaging.

• hard to find in stores.

The article examined the advice of which company is better to buy wine in various situations, what are the main mistakes you can make when choosing. The presented rating will tell you which option is better to buy, how much each model costs, its characteristics and features. Remember that you need to drink alcohol in strictly limited quantities, otherwise you can harm your health.