How to Buy South African Wines

South Africa is one of the world's top wine producers. The Cape Winelands, in the southern part of the country, is the center of South Africa's wine making industry. The area's mild climate is ideal for growing grapes and wine lovers will find an excellent assortment of wines to discover.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Learn a bit about South African wines. South Africa wineries produce a wide variety of wines including sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, pinotage, shiraz, merlot cabernet sauvignon and port. Read John Platter's book, "South African Wine Guide," to learn about the different wineries and see reviews of various wines.

2. Visit your local wine stores. Depending on where you live, the options may be limited. The selection typically features wineries that produce larger quantities of wine. You are less likely to find smaller and boutique producers. Chain stores like Bevmo and Cost Plus World Market carry a good selection of affordable international wines.

3. Shop online. Visit Internet retailers that specialize in international wines. You will find a more diverse selection of wines from South Africa and have the opportunity to contact knowledgeable staff. Look for wine clubs and special offers.

4. Buy direct from the winery. Some South African wineries sell their wines online. The prices are typically quoted in the South African currency, the Rand. This is a good option if you want to buy a wine that you can't find in a local shop or website, however you may pay a lot for international shipping.

Tips & Warnings

• Many retailers offer a discount when you purchase a full or half-case of wine.
• Sign up for customer mailing lists to learn about special offers and new releases.
• When you shop at an international website, don't forget to convert the price into U.S. dollars to get the actual cost.

Resources

• Learn about South African wines at the South African Wine website.
• Purchase John Platter's wine book at his website.
• Find affordable South African wines at Bevmo.
• Browse a wide selection of South African wines at Southern Hemisphere Wine Center.

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[grapegirls]

on 3/13/2009 We love South African wines and are planning a "Grape Escape" to the country next year. Can't wait to visit the Cape and experience it all first hand!