The bulk of South Africa's experience with wine rests on the shoulders of white wine grapes, particularly Chenin Blanc. South African vineyards have been dominated by white grape varieties in the past. The latest trend is towards a more market-driven balance between white and red, but white varieties still represent more than eighty percent of the total.

The climate is crucial to the quality of wine and South Africa's most prized wines are grown on the cooler coast where more acidity and balance can be introduced to them. Nearly all of the laudable wine districts in South Africa spread out from Cape Town, the historical port city where the region's first vines were unloaded in the 17th century.

In the Cape, where climactic and topographic conditions simulate those of the old wine countries, the continent's finest wines are produced. Sauvignon Blanc is made from grapes that favour such a climate.

South Africa is widely planted with a broad range of the ubiquitous "international" varieties. South African wines fall somewhere between the archetypal new world and old world styles. The most successful Chardonnays have some of the power and fruit intensity of the new world, yet combine this with old world complexity and minerality.

White wine varieties include Chardonnay, one of the traditional varieties used for the production of Champagne. In South Africa much experimentation has been taking place with barrel fermentation and oak ageing of Chardonnay and excellent wines are being produced. It is also used in some of the base wines from which Cap Classique sparkling wines are made.

By far the most abundant grape variety grown is the steely dry Chenin Blanc, known locally as Steen. Chenin Blanc currently covers 23 percent of South Africa's vineyards. Chenin Blanc produces good natural wines covering the whole spectrum from sweet to dry, as well as sherry and sparkling wine. It accounts for much of South Africa's good value commercial wine production. Its fruitiness finds favour with a wide range of palates. It is also used for distilling brandy and spirits.

Though generally producing dry, fruity wines, it is versatile and can be fashioned in a variety of styles including oak-aged, unwooded wines and semi-sweet wines.

Colombar's great claim to fame is as the base wine of Cognac, but here it makes a pleasantly fruity, usually dry white wine. Colombar is planted especially in the Breede River region. It thrives on a variety of soils particularly in warmer areas. Good acid content ensures fresh, interesting wines with a pleasant fruity flavour.

Muscat d'Alexandrie is one of the world's most widely planted and versatile varieties. It was the first grape variety to reach South African shores. Muscat d'Alexandrie is thought to be the 'Spaanse dryven' (Spanish grape) introduced to South Africa by Jan van Riebeeck in the 1650s.

Nowhere else does it form such a high percentage of a country's total grape harvest as in South Africa. It is known as Hanepoot and it is used especially for dessert wine, as well as natural wine and raisins. Hanepoot delivers a strong, flowery bouquet and intense honey flavour.

Sauvignon Blanc grapes produce some of the most exceptional white wines. These wines have a distinctive peppery or grassy character, and are often aged in wood. Most of the Sauvignon Blanc vineyards can be found in the Coastal and Breede River valley regions. It is one of South Africa's most successful varieties.

While South Africa's bias towards white grapes reaches all the way back to the first vines that were transplanted here from France it is today attempting to bring more balance.