Wines by grape variety
Find your wine by grape – with a short portrait of what makes each variety distinctive.
Red grapes
From velvety Merlot to South Africa’s own Pinotage.
Cabernet SauvignonDark fruit such as blackcurrant, firm tannins and good ageing potential – especially expressive in Stellenbosch.Explore→
MerlotSoft and approachable, with plum, red berries and a velvety texture.Explore→
Cabernet FrancFragrant and refined, with red berries, herbal notes and finer tannins than Cabernet Sauvignon.Explore→
PinotageCrossed in South Africa in 1925 from Pinot Noir and Cinsaut: dark berries, often spicy, sometimes smoky.Explore→
Syrah / ShirazDark fruit and pepper; “Syrah” often signals a fresher, spicier style, “Shiraz” a fuller one.Explore→
Pinot NoirElegant and light-footed, with red cherry and strawberry – at the Cape mostly from cooler sites.Explore→
CinsautLight, juicy and fruity – long underrated, now rediscovered by many winemakers.Explore→
White grapes
Fresh, mineral or creamy – depending on grape and winemaking.
Chenin BlancSouth Africa’s most planted grape: from fresh and fruity to layered wines from old vines and oak.Explore→
ChardonnayFrom crisp and citrusy to creamy with oak – and a key base for many Cap Classique sparkling wines.Explore→
Sauvignon BlancLively and aromatic, with citrus, gooseberry and green notes; especially fresh from coastal sites.Explore→
Blends
When several grapes together become more than the sum of their parts.
Grape varieties as a guide
Grape variety shapes a wine’s aroma, acidity and structure more than almost any other factor. Knowing which variety you enjoy makes it easier to find new favourites. This overview only shows grapes with wines currently listed in our shop.
Same grape, different styles
Site, climate, vintage and winemaking change the character noticeably: an old-vine, barrel-aged Chenin Blanc tastes different from a young, early-bottled one. Check each wine’s tasting note too.
More overviews
Questions about grape varieties
Which grape is typical of South Africa?
Chenin Blanc is the country’s most planted grape, and Pinotage was bred in South Africa in 1925. Both are seen as signatures of the Cape.
What is the difference between Syrah and Shiraz?
They are the same grape. The name often hints at the style – Syrah fresher and peppery, Shiraz riper and fuller – but this is not a rule.
Why is a grape variety missing?
We only show grapes with wines currently listed in the shop. You will find many more varieties in our blends or via search.