Klein Karoo

Klein Karoo, the regional name for the Little Karoo wine area, sits in a flat, semi-arid basin enclosed by major mountain ranges. Its wine route runs from Montagu through Barrydale, Calitzdorp and Oudtshoorn to De Rust near Meiringspoort. Afternoon breezes and cool nights temper the warmth. Vineyards around Montagu, Barrydale, Tradouw and Ladismith sit in foothills and mountain ravines, on chalky, shallow soils weathered from sandstone. Ruby Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay grow here. Calitzdorp centres on Tinta Barocca and Touriga Nacional, used for fortified wines and dry reds. Muscat varieties are closely associated with Oudtshoorn, where they are used for semi-sweet and dessert wines. Fortified wines in the style of Port and Muscadels, known for their rich, creamy texture, sit alongside dry reds. South African fortified wines may carry the names Cape Tawny, Cape Vintage or Cape Ruby.