A South African Wine Club... From South Africa to the World
With a history dating back as far as 1659, it was only in the early 1990's, after the end of Apartheid, when the world market was once more open to South African exports, that South African wines achieved international fame.
Nowadays, South African wines enjoy an impeccable reputation worldwide. The country's wine regions are mainly located on the coasts of the Atlantic and Indian oceans, which share a climate comparable to that of the Mediterranean.
Just like every non-European wine producer, South Africa has had its share of conflict regarding denominations, so non-locals might find it tricky to recognize varieties by their names...
Port wine being one of their most successful products, these are commercialized under the denomination Cape Port, while other varieties you may find advertised by South African wine clubs will seem unrecognizable such as Groendruif (Sémillon) or Hanepoot (Muscat of Alexandria).
South Africa is not only famous for its [Cape] Port and its champagne-style bubbly mixes, its vineyards are abundant in Shiraz, Pinotage (a crossing of Pinot noir and Cinsaut), Riesling, Grenache, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
To learn more about South African wine before joining a wine club, you can check out the online and print versions of
Wine Magazine South Africa
(opens in new window) and it is also a good idea to stay up-to-date with the best in local wines by keeping track of distinctions such as the prestigious
Veritas Awards
(opens in new window).
Join the Club
Once you have done your research, you are ready to look for a great wine club that will unveil for you all the secrets of the exotic South African wines.
South African Wine Clubs Around The World
If you are a California resident, the
Southern Hemisphere Wine Center
is a good starting point, since it specializes in wines from South Africa, Australia, Argentina, Chile, and New Zealand.
Based in Canada, the South African Wine Society is a non-profit wine club committed to promoting and facilitating local access to South African wines. Members are invited to an annual gourmet dinner and other exclusive tastings and events.
Founded in Chicago, after the ban on South African exports was lifted, the African-Tradition Wine Club offers a $75/month deal for a 6-bottle case. It offers great information on everything pertaining to South African wines, delivering nationwide in the US.
Local Wine Clubs
If you are in South Africa, local wine clubs also offer great deals and exclusive benefits for members.
Wine-Club delivers both individual bottles and assorted cases country-wide, while it also publishes a monthly newsletter, offering interesting discounts and bargains.
The
Wine of the Month Club
has a variety of different wine plans including a Platinum and a Reserve plan, and even one exclusively devoted to Champagne. Prices vary according to wine quality, and there is also a Best Value option for those of you interested in finding the best South African wines at affordable prices.
In short, South African wine clubs abound all over the world, making the yields of this up-and-coming wine region available to you as a local and as an international consumer alike.
