South Africa

South of the Equator is one of the most interesting wine-growing regions, South Africa. Due to its location within the continent, you would think South Africa would be mostly hot. However, most of South Africa’s wine regions are found along the coastline and benefit from cooling influences including the Southern Ocean. Another defining feature for South African wine land is dramatic mountain ranges providing a landscape with different altitudes and aspects that allows winemakers to produce a wide range of wine styles. South Africa also has unique ancient granite soils (over 600 million years old), resulting in bold red and white wines with high intensity. Famously grown here in both dry and sweet styles is the white grape varietal, Chenin Blanc.