South Africa’s top 10 fastest-growing grape plantings

10. Pinot Gris

2011: 276.40 ha

2015: 345.85 ha

Number of hectares added: 69.45

% change: 25.1%

Pinot Gris is an aromatic white grape mutated from Pinot Noir, first originating in Burgundy but also in the Rheinland-Pfalz and Baden in south west Germany. It is also the dominant variety in Italy’s Pinot Grigio. In South Africa, Pinot Gris tends to be lighter bodied compared with Italian Pinot Grigio, with subtropical, stone fruit flavours and some spicy notes.

Fun fact: Pinot Gris was known as Tokay, not to be confused with the Hungarian sweet wine appellation Tokaj or its Tokaji wines, until 2007.