The South Africa wine growing areas of the Cape produce some of the world's most outstanding wines. This wine growing area of South Africa has a Mediterranean climate. The mountain slopes and valleys form the ideal habitat for the wine grape vitis vinifera whose products have given pleasure to man for many centuries.
Long, sun-drenched South African summers ensure grapes with enough sugar to provide excellent wines year after year. Wet winters with cool sea breezes and temperatures of 0-10 degrees Celsius also contribute to the ideal conditions for viticulture at the Cape.
The four most important soils are:
With this favourable combination of climate and soil, almost 4500 farmers in South Africa now cultivate 106 000 hectares of land under vines. Their 50 000 labourers and 3 000 co-operative cellar staff, with their dependants, constitute a force of some 300 000 people. About 750 million litres of South African wine are produced annually, from which the producers' income in 2001 totaled about R159 billion.
Production of South Africa wine is handled mainly by 310 private cellars and 67 co-operative cellars. These co-operatives alone have invested vast amounts on production equipment and they press about 80% of South Africa 's total wine harvest.
The South African wine industry is backed by a State research body, the Nietvoorbij Institute for Viticulture and Oenology, employing some 231 staff, departments of viniculture and viticulture at the University of Stellenbosch, the Elsenburg Agricultural College, which offers cellar technology.
Wholesalers, co-operative cellars and estates are increasingly entering the overseas markets. An extensive distribution network of wholesalers and retailers, as well as co-operative cellars, estates and other organizations which market wine directly, ensure that these products reach consumers around the country.
As far as international wine production is concerned, France leads with 22,0% of the total, Italy is second with 20,0%, Spain third with 11,5% and South Africa eighth with 3,0% (1999 figures).
About 4500 grape farmers in South Africa cultivate approximately 106 000 hectares of vineyards, which are spread predominantly throughout the Western Cape.
Three main types of wine producers are found in South Africa:
In the past, most South Africa wine was sold through domestic wholesalers. However, with the opening up of foreign markets, rapidly increasing quantities of South African wines are being sold abroad. All wines for export must be granted an export licence. Samples of each batch of wine destined for foreign climes are sent to the Wine & Spirit Board at Nietvoorbij, Stellenbosch where they undergo detailed tasting tests and chemical analysis in the laboratories before licences are granted.
An official seal is given to each bottle by the Wine & Spirit Board which verifies that the claims made on the label regarding origin, vintage and grape variety.
Emerging from the shadow of Apartheid, South Africa is increasingly making better wines which usually represent good value for money at all levels on the quality scale. Although South Africa is classed as a 'new world' region, wines it produces are often nicely poised between the new world and old world styles. Look out for reds from South Africa's 'own' variety, Pinotage, which makes striking gamey and earthy-tasting wines, often with a savoury, cheesy edge to them. The most famous regions are Stellenbosch, Paarl and Constantia, although cooler regions such as Walker Bay are beginning to attract attention.
Constantia
Historical region south of Cape Town (this is where the first vineyards were
planted in South Africa), now undergoing a bit of a revival. As well as
being a beautiful region, the vineyards are ideally sited on the slopes of
Constantia Mountain, where they are cooled by the sea breezes. Watch out for
wines from Klein Constantia, Groot Constantia and Buitervenwachting, the
three leading estates.
Franschoek
Small but significant region, inland (to the west) of Stellenbosch.
Surrounded by the spooky-sounding Drakenstein mountains, the wide variety of
soils and relatively high rainfall permits production of a wide variety of
wine styles.
Paarl
Well known region north-west of Cape Town, and home to several leading
producers, including Veenwouden, Nederburg, Fairview, Glen Carlou and
Plaisir de Merle. Traditionally a white wine region, but with its
Mediterranean climate some of the terroirs are also ideally suited to making
fine reds.
Robertson
Some 120 km east of Cape Town, next door to Worcester, this warm region is
especially good for whites. De Wetshof, Springfield and Graham Beck are
among the leading producers here.
Stellenbosch
Just a short distance east of Cape Town, this is the country's leading wine
area, and is home to many of the country's leading estates. The
granite-based soils in the east are especially suited to the production of
fine red wines, whereas the sandstone soils in the west are best for whites.
Swartland
Large region to the north of Cape Town, mostly given over to wheat farming.
Rainfall is light, so irrigation is usually needed. The cooperatives
dominate.
Walker Bay
This cool-climate wine region, on the coast to the south of Cape Town, is on
the up: high-flying producers such as Hamilton Russell and Bouchard
Finlayson are now making classy Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon
Blanc shows promise.
Worcester
Wine region loacted inland from Cape Town. Production here is dominated by
several large cooperatives.