South Africa

Famous (perhaps unfairly) for producing cheaper, lower quality wines in years gone by - South Africa is experiencing somewhat of a revolution in terms of its winemaking at present. Huge investment is going into updating production methods to be in line with its New World rivals, and the world stage is certainly beginning to sit up and take notice. Perhaps the most intriguing varietal in South Africa is Pinotage - a hybrid of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut (giving a more robust grape less prone to drought / disease).