Section IV: Wine Regions of Section IV: Wine Regions of the Southern Hemispherethe Southern Hemisphere

Chapter 16: South Africa

IntroductionIntroduction

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.

SOUTH AFRICAN WINE SOUTH AFRICAN WINE HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVEHISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

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 1st time in 1659.

Created celebrated Constantia dessert wine French Huguenots arrived in 1688. 1800s were a boom time for Cape farmers. By the 1880s, phylloxera was devastating

vineyards.

The Twentieth Century to TodayThe Twentieth Century to Today

Marked by the problem of over-production Creation of the KWV in 1918 A quota system was introduced in 1957. 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 The Twentieth Century to Today (cont.)(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 2004. Black Association of the Wine and Spirit Industry

aims to empower its members to become owners .

The Wine Regions of South The Wine Regions of South AfricaAfrica

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 RegionThe 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 PinotageChenin 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) RegionKlein 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 ValleyBreed 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 RegionCoastal Region

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