South Africa's various wine regions produce a wide range of both red and white wines. Grape and associated red wine varieties include:

• Cabernet Franc - Related to Cabernet Sauvignon, it is usually softer, has a lower sugar content and contains less alcohol. Used as a component in classic Bordeaux-style blends but also for varietal wines. Small but increasing vineyard area. Unless specified, 'Cabernet' refers to the Sauvignon and not the Franc variety.
  
• Cabernet Sauvignon - An increasingly significant variety at the Cape, it's the foremost variety of the Bordeaux region of France. Cabernet Sauvignon produces top-class wines that develop well with age into spicy, full, complex wines. As in Bordeaux, it may be blended with Merlot or its relative, Cabernet Franc.
  
• Carignan - Flourishes in warm, dry areas. Originated in Spain, also widely planted in the south of France and grown in North Africa. Insignificant plantings in South Africa. Produces a light dry wine or is used as a blending component, particularly in Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz.
  
• Cinsaut - Previously known as Hermitage. A strong bearer and very versatile variety - it can be used to blend with Cabernets, to produce reasonably priced early drinking wines, or as quality wine for brandy distilling. It is also often used for rosé, port and jerepigo wines. South Africa's most widely planted red varietal, it is fast being replaced by more noble varieties.
  
• Gamay Noir - Mainly light red wines in the nouveau style are made of this grape in France's Beaujolais region. Several reds are made locally in a similar early drinking style.
  
• Grenache - One of Spain's most important varieties, this hardy grape is resistant to drought, wind and sun. Typically used for blending with Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
  
• Merlot - An early ripening variety, traditionally used as a blending partner to add softness and breadth to Cabernet Sauvignon but now being increasingly bottled as a varietal wine, with some superb results locally. Planted in increasing quantities, particularly in the Stellenbosch and Paarl regions.
  
• Mourvèdre - Originated from Spain, where it's known as Monastrell (in California and Australia it's known as Mataro). The spicy notes make it a good blending partner with cultivars like Shiraz. Small vineyard area locally.
  
• Muscadel - This variety produces a very popular sweet red wine, particularly in the Little Karoo. Miniscule plantings in South Africa.
  
• Petit Verdot - This superb variety is used in small percentages in Bordeaux-style blends and can also be made into cultivar wines. Limited plantings locally.
  
• Pinot Noir - The king of Burgundy but notoriously difficult to grow elsewhere. Although not yet widely planted, it is now producing excellent wines in the cooler viticultural areas of South Africa. Wines tend to be lighter in colour with distinct vegetal flavour and aroma. A large proportion is used in Cap Classique sparkling wines.
  
• Pinotage - A local cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut (Hermitage), created by Professor Abraham Perold in 1925, it combines the noble characteristics of the former with the reliability of the latter. Unique to South Africa, it can produce complex and fruity wines with age but is also often very drinkable when young.
  
• Roobernet - A 1960s local cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Pontac, it has an unusual (for reds) grassy character. Withstands diseases particularly well. Can be made into a cultivar wine, also a good blending partner, particularly in combination with Pinotage for a uniquely South African blend.
  
• Ruby Cabernet - A Californian cross between Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon, this prolific producer is suited to warmer areas.
  
• Shiraz - A noble variety of French origin. Better known as Syrah elsewhere, the largest production of Shiraz is now found in Australia but local plantings are increasing strongly. Made in several different styles here, it yields deep purple smoky and spicy wines, which develop a complex character with age.
  
• Souzào - Originally from Portugal, it is one of the traditional port varieties. Its high fruit sugar content and strongly pigmented skin give taste and colour.
  
• Tinta Barocca - Considered one of the best varieties for the production of port in South Africa. It produces earthy, organic red wines and is excellent for blending.
  
• Touriga Nacional - Regarded as the best variety for port, it's one of the oldest cultivars in the Douro area of Portugal. Produces wine with a very dark colour and a strong ripe berry character with around 13% alcohol.
  
• Zinfandel - This leading Californian variety is planted on a limited scale in South Africa.