MORNING SESSION 10:00 - 13:00 - Download theme tasting booklet
SAUVIGNON BLANC
South African Sauvignon Blanc, grown across the country’s diverse wine regions, showcases a remarkable spectrum of site-specific expressions. Each wine shows the distinctive characteristics of its vineyard, shaped by South Africa’s varied geology and topography. Discover a broad range of styles, from vibrant unwooded examples to those thoughtfully enhanced by oak, adding texture and complexity. Experience the exceptional quality of older vintages, including the standout 2023 vintage, a testament to the impressive aging potential of South African Sauvignon Blanc.
CAP CLASSIQUE
A snap shot of Cap Classique across a range of styles and areas of production to showcase the diversity of this vibrant category. All the wines showcased spent at least 12 months on the lees as per the category regulations.
ROSÉ
Discover the vibrant charm of South African Rosé wines, a celebration of sun-kissed vineyards, diverse terroirs, and expert craftsmanship. Known for their irresistible blend of elegance and character, these wines offer a spectrum of flavours, from delicate floral notes to bursts of juicy red berries - South African Rosé delivers sophistication and approachability in every glass. With a reputation for innovation and quality, these wines are a must-try for any enthusiast. Embark on a journey of discovery and experience the essence of South Africa’s winemaking artistry.
MERLOT
Merlot was first introduced to South Africa in the late 19th century by French Huguenot settlers, but it never played a significant role. It was only in 1969 when David van Velden of Overgaauw Wine Estate, Stellenbosch travelled to Bordeaux and noticed that premium Merlot was growing on soils with a similar clay content to his farm in South Africa.
After acquiring some Merlot vines in 1973, Overgaauw finally produced the first South Africa single varietal Merlot in 1982. However, early South African plantings only amounted to about 81 hectares but have since expanded enormously to a current surface area of over 5 300 hectares.
Merlot is currently the most widely drunk red wine variety in South Africa and as such has tremendous commercial value. South Africa exports approximately 10 million litres of Merlot in Packaged and bulk form every year.
OLD VINE RED VARIETIES
Wines made from old vines hold a special place in the wine world, reflecting the grower's connection to the land. South Africa celebrates this legacy through the Old Vine Project, allowing producers to certify their vineyards as Certified Heritage Vineyards, complete with a seal on the bottle showcasing the vineyard's planting date. South Africa’s vineyard plant dates are verified by the South African Wine Industry Information Systems’ (SAWIS) database, which extends back to 1900. Discover the brilliance of South African old vine red varieties like Cinsault, Grenache, and Pinotage.
AFTERNOON SESSION: 14:00 - 17:00 DOWNLOAD THEME TASTING BOOKLET
CHARDONNAY
South African Chardonnay is a showcase of elegance, complexity, and versatility. Known for its ability to reflect both terroir and the winemaker’s craft, Chardonnay offers a spectrum of styles, from crisp and mineral-driven to rich and opulent. These "Golden Expressions" embody the pinnacle of South African viticulture and innovation, celebrating wines that captivate both locally and on the global stage.
CHENIN BLANC
South African Chenin Blanc thrives in an extraordinary array of terroirs, reflecting the country’s rich viticultural landscape. As the Chenin Blanc Association, we celebrate this diversity, which allows the grape to express a remarkable spectrum of styles.
From the Swartland's mineral-rich soils to the cool coastal vineyards along the West Coast, throughout Stellenbosch and up into the Hemel en Aarde and the sun-drenched Breedekloof Valley, with bush-vine plantings across the Cape enhancing complexity and depth, South African Chenin Blanc showcases remarkable adaptability and versatility.
Whether crafted as zesty, unoaked wines or elegantly aged in barrel, South African Chenin Blanc consistently demonstrates the synergy between terroir and winemaker. This diversity underscores Chenin’s role as the cornerstone of South Africa’s wine identity, making it a global benchmark for quality and authenticity.
PINOTAGE
Pinotage is a unique red wine grape variety that is native to South Africa, where it was first cultivated in 1925. It was created by crossing Pinot Noir and Cinsault (the latter was historically called Hermitage in South Africa, which explains the name "Pinotage").
Pinotage is a source of national pride in South Africa and is considered a building block of the country's wine heritage. It represents a uniquely South African cultivar and is a cornerstone of many winemaking regions, particularly in the Cape Winelands, such as Stellenbosch and Paarl.
Today, Pinotage is gaining international recognition and is appreciated for its versatility and capacity to express South Africa's unique terroir.
SHIRAZ
The earliest mention of Shiraz as a cultivar wine can be found in “Wine and Spirit Review and the South African Wine Grower” at the 1935 wine show. Class 21 was for 5 leaguers of sweet Shiraz.
The first Shiraz to be bottled with the cultivar name on the label was the 1957 vintage from Bellingham. This was made by Bernard Podlashuk who is known as the Father of South African Shiraz.
Currently, Shiraz is the second most planted red grape variety in South Africa with 8 712 hectares under vine. It is also second in terms of red wine sold per cultivar. Shiraz can be found in all the wine growing regions of South Africa, producing a variety of styles from different terroirs.
What is it in South Africa … Syrah or Shiraz? Shiraz is generally produced in a more full-bodied, new world style while Syrah is lighter, more elegant and fresher in the French/old world style. However, examples can be found in reverse under these names – there are not hard and fast rules.
STELLENBOSCH CABERNET
Discover the world's other great Cabernet Sauvignon region. Stellenbosch is the home of Cabernet Sauvignon in South Africa, producing world-class wines of exceptional quality and style. Explore the region through the lens of Cabernet Sauvignon, made with passion and dedication to this unique terroir.