South Africa scrutinised – reds

Just as South Africa's best whites have a reliance on French vine varieties, so the reds I found most appealing are based on a French trio: Cabernet Franc, Cinsault and Syrah. The first two are particularly exciting as they represent a style for which South Africa is not historically renowned: light, fragrant, crunchy reds with great refreshment value. Pinot Noir can fulfil this remit too, of course, but is much more hit and miss...