Unit 18 of 26 · Online wine course

South African Wine Course

Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, Stellenbosch and Swartland. 6 lessons · about 48 min

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The 6 lessons

  1. South Africa at a glance: Old World meets New

    Cape wine since 1659: two oceans and a wind called the Cape Doctor, Chenin Blanc and Pinotage, Constantia's fame, the KWV years and the boom after 1994.

    You will be able to:

    • explain how South Africa blends Old World and New World
    • describe how two oceans and a wind shape the Cape
    • explain how Constantia, the KWV and 1994 shaped Cape wine
    about 8 min

  2. The grapes of South Africa: Chenin, Pinotage and more

    Chenin Blanc, once called Steen, is South Africa's most planted grape and Pinotage its own red, backed by Cabernet, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Cinsault.

    You will be able to:

    • explain why Steen and Chenin Blanc are one grape
    • describe Chenin's four styles and why old vines matter
    • match South Africa's key reds and whites to their styles
    about 8 min

  3. Stellenbosch and Paarl: the Cape's classic heart

    Mountains, varied soils and False Bay breezes make Stellenbosch Cabernet country, while warmer Paarl, Huguenot Franschhoek and cool Constantia complete the picture.

    You will be able to:

    • explain how mountains, soils and False Bay shape Stellenbosch
    • describe Stellenbosch Cabernet and a Bordeaux-style blend
    • tell Paarl, Franschhoek and Constantia apart
    about 8 min

  4. Swartland and the new wave: old vines, cool coasts

    How Swartland's old, dry-farmed vines sparked a new wave of fresher wines, the seal that certifies old vineyards, and the cool coasts of Elgin and Hemel-en-Aarde.

    You will be able to:

    • explain why Swartland's old, dry-farmed vines matter
    • describe the new wave and the heritage vineyard seal
    • name the cool coastal areas and their grapes
    about 8 min

  5. Reading a South African label: the numbered seal

    A numbered seal backs the place, grape and year on a South African label. A named place means 100 per cent of the grapes; grape and year need 85 per cent.

    You will be able to:

    • explain what the Wine of Origin seal checks
    • order South African places from geographical unit to ward
    • use the 100 and 85 per cent rules on labels
    about 8 min

  6. Choosing South African wine: Chenin, Pinotage and the Cape

    A shopper's and diner's guide to the Cape: which Chenin and Pinotage to pick, which place for which taste, a first tasting flight and what to pour at a braai.

    You will be able to:

    • choose a Chenin Blanc style from its label words
    • tell coffee-style Pinotage from fruit-first Pinotage
    • plan a Cape tasting and a braai bottle
    about 8 min

Related reading on Winelingo: Wine of South Africa