Elgin

Apple and pear orchards remain part of Elgin’s landscape, alongside vineyards in a mountain-ringed valley. Cooler ripening conditions distinguish it from many of the Cape’s better-known inland areas. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are important reference points, with Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling widening the range.

Elgin offers a useful way to explore the cooler side of South African wine. Compare a Chardonnay with one from a warmer district, paying attention to ripeness, texture and oak rather than assuming that cool climate means no richness. The origin describes the vineyard environment, not the winemaking recipe.