South Africa, Chardonnay: See South Africa. Chardonnay.

In the early 1980s South African Chardonnay was virus-infected, and growers resorted to illegal imports as legal routes were slow and bureaucratic. These imports were mainly of Auxerrois, rather than Chardonnay. Despite this, Michael Fridjhon (Decanter: March 2002, p.80) says this did not stop Danie de Wet winning a prize at Vinexpo with a ‘Chardonnay’ made from Auxerrois.

Where grown: Michael Fridjhon cites cooler climate areas for South African Chardonnay as Constantia, parts of Stellenbosch, Elgin and Overberg/Walker Bay, with the warmer regions being Paarl, Robertson and along the West Cost.

Bibliography

Michael Fridjhon, Decanter Panel Tasting, South African Chardonnay, Decanter March 2002, p.80.