Constantia
Sauvignon Blanc and Vin de Constance illustrate two distinct styles that should not be confused.
Terroirs, appellations and label clues
Constantia lies south of Cape Town on the peninsula. Klein Constantia’s Vin de Constance is a sweet Muscat de Frontignan wine, not Sauvignon Blanc despite that grape’s regional presence. Compare wines of the same category.
To get started
Start by distinguishing dry white from sweet wine. Check the wine’s grape: the Sauvignon Blanc listed here is not the grape of Vin de Constance.
Key grapes
Sauvignon Blanc — A crisp white with citrus and herbal notes. Compare a brisk herbal example with a fuller one: ripeness, climate and ageing explain some of the differences.
Compare regions
Compare regions in the same country too: the same grape can produce different wines as climate, site and producer choices change.
Style descriptions are guides, not rules: vintage, vineyard, blending and maturation change the result.
