- Recipes & Pairings
- simple
- complex
- vegetarian
- gluten-free
- Fish
- pork
- Chicken
- salad
- Seafood
- Italian
- pasta
- vegan
- beef
- lamb
- Cheese
- soup
- asian
- Winemakers
- easy
- stew
- curry
- Wine Tips & Education
- spanish
- french
- rice
- thai
- chinese
- mexican
- moroccan
- duck
- indian
- barbecue
- starter
- classic
- mushroom
- beans
- dessert
- shellfish
- lunch
- japanese
- side
- mediterranean
- casserole
- salmon
- american
- family
- quick
- sandwich
- pastry
- nuts
- Stories & Lifestyle
- steak
- mushrooms
- greek
- turkey
- noodles
- burger
- lentils
- meat
- eggplant
- game
- Fried
- spicy
- prawns
- snack
- fruit
- canape
- sausages
- roast
- christmas
- potato
- traybake
- brunch
- couscous
- dip
- Pie
- picnic
- vegetables
- tofu
- portuguese
- caribbean
- crab
- Burgers
- cauliflower
- sharing
- slow
- Chocolate
- squid
- eggs
- vietnamese
- tapas
- sides
- bacon
- ribs
- healthy
- venison
- one-pot
- tuna
- tomatoes
- tart
- canapes
- dinner
- aubergine
- british
- korean
- chickpeas
- meatballs
- zucchini
- Wine 101
- malaysian
- offal
- vegan
- fritters
- african
- oyster
- tomato
- pesto
- beetroot
- cajun
- hungarian
- Turkish
- german
- avocado
- wine
- asparagus
- kale
- pescetarian
- pate
- Chilli
- arabian
- sauce
- lobster
- ham
- cabbage
- potatoes
- chorizo
- apple
- swedish
- cake
- wine pairing
- Caesar Salad
- scallop
- salad
- mussels
- takeaway
- bread
- traditional
- leftovers
- polenta
- olives
- beef stew
- Vegan
- peas
- charcuterie
- sweet
- baking
- Persian
- English
- Quinoa
- broccoli
- oysters
- Events
- halloumi
- vegetarian
- salad
- breaded
- dairy free
- fries
- lemon
- sushi
- cream
- truffle
- chips
- greens
- appetizer
- garlic
- Holiday
- wines
- red wine
- Stir Fry
- spicy
- fresh
- mango
- hearthy
- family-friendly
- coconut
- jackfruit
- rustic
- creole
- australian
- pâté
- bbq
- Pairing Tips
- corn
- Butter Chicken
- crayfish
- chicken casserole
- Home-cured Salmon
- fish and chips
- winemaker
- Argentina
- risotto
- anchovy
- quick dinner
- oriental
- feta
- russian
- parmesan
- asian
- celeriac
- strawberries
- slaw
- liver
- cod
- tacos
- rabbit
- egg
- beer
- Peruvian
- grains
- gnocchi
- capsicum
- scallops
- raw
- poultry
- cucumber
- kebab
- squash
- pudding
- berries
- Pumpkin Soup
- must-try wines
- christmas drink
- pork chops
- winemaking
- aperitifs
- Salsa
- Greek Style Pasta
- grapes
- Ancient History of Wine
- Kangaroo Steak
- lamb casserole
- sea bass
- ginger
- sparkling wine
- crusted fish
- spaghetti
- Pasta
- sustainable
- bistro
- omelette
- creamy
- authentic
- biryani
- tagine
- salami
- side dish
- braised
- hummus
- peanuts
- pineapple
- pancakes
- ragu
- comforting
- gravy
- swiss
- quiche
- Scandinavian
- smoked
- wheat
- pumpkin
- dips
- luxury
- oven
- Tex-Mex
- south-african
- bake
- raspberry
- sorbet
- summer
- Lebanese
- celebration
- goose
- cherry
- spinach
- festive
- arabic
- gratin
- Brazilian
- Sake
- stuffing
- miso
- Quiche Lorraine
- Chicken Breast
- Salmon Recipe
- Chicken Soup
- Macaroni & Cheese
- Mac-n-Cheese
- Weddings
- white wine
- organic wines
- vegan wines
- biodynamic wines
- moroccan meatballs
- mulled wine
- sangria
- tomato soup
- onion soup
- wine decanting
- decanter
- goulash
- potato salad
- corked wine
- screw-top wine
- digestifs
- Nicoise salad
- Ratatouille
- chocolate chilli con carne
- Curried Roast Parsnip Soup
- wine regions
- wine trends
- Lemon Chicken
- wine terms
- Baba Ganoush
- Hunter Valley
- Moules Mariniere
- roast duck
- mushroom risotto
- tortilla patata
- Carbonara
- Wineries
- Shiraz
- lasagna
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- fish cakes
- pork chow mein
- Pinot Noir
- yarra valley
- Barossa Valley
- Oak Ageing
- McLaren Vale
- Margaret River
- Old World Wine
- New World Wine
- Wine Flaws
- Wine Myths
- cassoulet
- lamb tagine
- lamb shanks
- chicken with peas and bacon
- Thai Fish Cakes
- exotic cuisines
- wine labels
- Chardonnay
- Unusual Wines
- sauvignon blanc
- Salads
- palate
- tagliatelle bolognese
- pulled pork
- chicken tagine
- Thai Green Curry
- crab cakes
- sardines with chickpeas
- linguine
- restaurant
- wine rules
- lamb chops
- burritos
- sticky duck
- pad thai
- fish pie
- tuna steak
- roast chicken
- wine habits
- thai rice
- crusted cod
- fennel
- oriental salad
- italian meatballs
- lamb with red wine
- chilli ribs
- rabbit country stew
- wine industry
- sediment
- crystallisation
- We're Hiring!
- minerality
- wiener schnitzel
- thai crab cakes
- fusilli
- valencian paella
- cajun jambalaya
- beef brisket
- bicol express
- terroir
- Frittata
- chicken satay
- chicken herb and cream sauce
- fingerfood
- vega
- marinade
- biodynamic
- sustainable
- crudites
- sophisticated
- off dry
- spicy
- gazpacho
- whiting
- calamari
- crispy
- barramumdi
- crust
- figs
- teriyaki
- tagliatelle
- wings
- sardines
- prosciutto
- sirloin
- mole
- schnitzel
- escalopes
- lox
- stuffed
- cannelloni
- broth
- mediterranean
- fancy
- luxurious
- milanese
- tortilla
- meat
- meat
- torte
- meat
- meat
- meat
- meat
- meat
- meat
- tapas
- meat
- side dish
- pomegranate
- octopus
- goan
- sweetcorn
- dairy free
- brunch
- asian
- dairy free
- popcorn
- bacon
- dressing
- fry
- fondue
- kidney
- blueberries
- seitan
- crea
- takeout
- pressure cooker
- milk
- dumplings
- pancake
- Irish
- Singapore
- romanian
- meringue
- maroccan
- danish
- Polish
- samosas
- toast
- jamaican
- Cuban
- cured
- mince
- leeks
- platter
- European
- innovative
- wraps
- Bulgarian
- custard
- spciy
- bavette
- biltong
- biltong
- south-african
- pavlova
- paprika
- melon
- tempeh
- barley
- courgette
- slow cooker
- rolls
- capers
- Easter
- veal
- seabass
- biscuit
- slow cooked
- biscuits
- israeli
- boar
- butter
- Interview
- bream
- malay
- oxtail
- starters
- sauerkraut
- patties
- one-pan
- red meat
- winter
- Georgian
- barramundi
- herbs
- kangaroo
- clams
- berry
- meze
- falafel
- Argentinian
- welsh
- goat
- Indonesian
- satay
- mustard
- braise
- antipasti
- mozzarella
- New
- tempura
- chipotle
- pears
- breadcrumbs
- honey
- toffee
A 1 minute dive into the world of South African wine – become an expert with our historical overview!
A 1 minute dive into the world of South African wine – become an expert with our historical overview!
Heard of the Dutch East India Company? They basically invented global trade. A merchant fleet of ships would travel the globe, trading goods from country to country, and bringing exotic riches back to Holland, Spain and other big European powers in the 1600s.
They established a merchant outpost in South Africa around 1650, and grapes were one of the first crops to be planted, using cuttings from France and Spain. In the 1700s, a famous estate by the name of Constantia was producing the most famous dessert wines in the world! Drunk across Europe by royalty and politicians, Klein Constantia was revered as one of the world’s great wines.
Fast forward to the early 1900s, and the grape/wine industry was in trouble, and only a collaboration of farmers and winemakers saved the South African wine business.
The now-famous Pinotage was developed in 1925, but not bottled until 1959 – a clear example of the troubles they were experiencing. Distillation and the proudction of brandy was king at this time. Apartheid gripped the country, lives were broken and industry halted.
It wasn’t until 1990 (the year Nelson Mandela was released from prison!) that wine exports took off again, with many international trade bans lifted with the abolition of apartheid. Winemakers looked to the future with fresh eyes and quality again became a goal for growers and makers alike. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc all were planted in earnest. Chenin Blanc became a hit again. Sparkling wines were given the credit they deserved.
By the early 2000s, various regional and varietal associations were championing their patch of dirt and their varieties. The world started to wake up to the old vines and fresh vision of these winemakers. In many ways like Australia, the quality of these old vines and a movement towards more balanced wines (with less oak and alcohol), led the way for a new wine industry.
We’re so proud to bring these wines to Australia – a real glimpse at a wine nation that shares more than a few similarities with Australia.
Enjoy!
Take our fun palate profile quiz here and we’ll recommend three bottles that we think you'll love according to your results!
Do you know your wine personality? If your answer is no, take our quiz to find out which wines to pick up next and build your box!
Build my box