South Africa

• Main white grapes:
• Chenin Blanc (Steen)
• Chardonnay
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Main red grapes:
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Syrah
• Merlot
• Pinotage:
• A red grape variety that was created in 1925
• It is a genetic cross of the Pinot Noir and Cinsault grapes
• First bottled in 1959

Divided into 5 wine zones called geographic units:

• Most important is Western Cape
• Within Western Cape the most important is Coastal Region and Constantia

GI Classifications

• Geographic Unit - West Cape
• Region - Coastal Region
• Districts - Cape Town, Paarl, Stellenbosch, Walker Bay
• Wards - Constantia is a ward within the Cape Town district
• Estates - Individual vineyards

Quality Standards

WO (Wine of Origin): the system of regional wine laws that regulates quality standards in South Africa. In order to receive the WO seal all wines are taste tested.

• 85 percent of grapes must come from the vintage stated on the bottle
• 85 percent of grapes must be of the variety indicated when labeled by variety
• 100 percent of grapes must come from a single stated appellation