Section IV: Wine Regions of the Southern Hemisphere Chapter 16: South Africa

Introduction  South Africa possesses all of the attributes necessary for a wine producing nation: Long history of grape growing and winemaking A temperate Mediterranean-like climate Many historical ties with wine consuming nations in Europe  Embargo in response to apartheid hindered South Africa’s wine industry.  With the demise of the apartheid regime and lifting of embargo in 1990s, South Africa began a period of change.  Since then, there’s been a massive redevelopment in vineyards and a new focus on making better wines.

S OUTH A FRICAN W INE H ISTORICAL P ERSPECTIVE  The Cape was a logical place to start winegrowing. It has a Mediterranean climate. It has a convenient location  Wine pressed in Cape Town for the 1 st time in  Created celebrated Constantia dessert wine  French Huguenots arrived in  1800s were a boom time for Cape farmers.  By the 1880s, phylloxera was devastating vineyards.

The Twentieth Century to Today  Marked by the problem of over-production  Creation of the KWV in 1918  A quota system was introduced in  Beginning in the 1960s, South African wine was banned and its citizens unwelcome in many countries.  This resulted in inexpensive wines of average quality made for a small, domestic market

The Twentieth Century to Today (cont.)  With the first democratic elections in 1994, South Africa’s wines were officially welcomed back.  Growth also fueled by: Growth in the international wine market Favorable exchange rate Advances in South African grape growing practices  After the quota system was dropped in 1992, new wineries were established.  Biodiversity and Wine Initiative set up in  Black Association of the Wine and Spirit Industry aims to empower its members to become owners.

The Wine Regions of South Africa  South Africa’s system of appellations is called the Wine of Origin Scheme. There are five regions: The Boberg Breede River Valley Coastal Region Klein Karoo Olifants River

The Olifants River Region  This area is home to the most northern vineyards in the Western Cape.  The climate is conducive to organic viticulture and several farmers are now taking this approach.  Winemakers have learned to craft consumer- friendly, early-drinking wines.

Chenin Blanc and Pinotage  Chenin Blanc The most planted variety in the country Has excellent yields and versatility  Pinotage Versatile Held novelty value for foreign consumers Has yet to find a comfortable level of production

Klein Karoo (Little Karoo) Region  Grows a wide variety of grapes, many on an experimental basis  Area has limited water and is susceptible to damage from birds.

Breed River Valley  Two main districts: Worcester and Robertson  Worcester’s main output from the many cooperatives is bulk wine for the négociant trade.  South African producers have adopted the name Méthode Cap Classique for their sparkling wines.  The area also has a reputation for producing superior fortified desert wines made from Muscat.

Coastal Region  Stellenbosch  Paarl  Tulbagh  Swartland  Darling  Tygerberg  Constantia  Overberg, Walker Bay and Cape Agulhas