 
|
South Africa South Africa’s wine history dates back to the 18th century, where wines from the Cape of Good Hope were sufficiently impressive that its vines were experimentally re-imported to France and planted in Burgundy. Since then, South African wine making was very progressive until the 1970s due to international trade sanctions and boycotts, and most wine grapes were distilled into brandy or industrial alcohol.
With the lifting of export barriers in 1994, and the new government’s aggressive policy of expanding exports, production and quality has improved dramatically and South African wines are more readily available in most retail stores. Almost all wineries are located in the southwestern corner of South Africa, near Cape Town. The more well known include Swartland to its north, Paarl to its northweast, and Stellenbosch to its immediate east. South African wines are labeled similarly to American wines and usually made from a predominant grape.
|
Primary Grapes:
|
Pinotage, Chenin
Blanc (called Steen), Merlot, Shiraz, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc |
|
Secondary Grapes:
|
Auxerrois, Pinot Noir, Cabernet
Sauvignon, Shiraz |
|
Production:
|
Approximately 215 million
gallons annually |
Primary Wine
Region(s):
|
Swartland, Constantia, Stellenbosch,
Paarl, Franschhoek, Walker Bay, Robertson |
|
Primary Labels:
|
Backsberg, Constantia, Nederburg,Vergele,
Cape Indaba, Thelma, Mulderbosch, Savanha, and Saxenburg |
|
Best Values:
|
Baobab, Brampton, Fleur du
Cap, Sinnya, Springbok, and Swartland |
Click Here For More on Wines of South Africa |
