South Africa - A Top Producer of Wine & the History Explained
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The wine industry has a presence in all corners of the globe, and enthusiasts of sophisticated liquor can be found everywhere. South Africans, however, have something exceptional to share with the avid wine fanatics of the world. We delve into the history of South Africa's most famous wines that have shaped the world of classy liquors while getting a taste of what makes them so exquisite.
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South Africa's Place in the World
Throughout this article, we will be analysing the different reasons why South Africa has earned its place as a leading producer of wine, but is it a factual statement to say that it's a leading producer of wine? According to the Visual Capitalist, it most certainly is, and the country found itself positioned in 8th place on a global stage, producing nearly 4% of the world's total wine and outperforming the majority of 54 entries.
Keep this staggering fact in mind as you continue reading; it may just impact how much you appreciate the history of the country's wine and how far it's come.
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South African Vineyards Throughout the Ages
South Africa's escapades with wine began during Europe's colonial era, specifically in 1655, when the first vines were brought to Cape Town by Dutch settlers. It was only four years later that Jan van Riebeeck (the founder of Cape Town) bottled the first wine in South Africa, and it was in 1685 that the South African wine industry skyrocketed with the establishment of the Groot Constantia wine farm.
Groot Constantia is a renowned estate that dates back to the Napoleonic era, founded in 1685. Still, it produces some of the most extraordinary wine you'll ever have the pleasure of drinking, offering tastings of their products (book here to arrange a tasting). It was established in a spot of land behind Table Mountain by the Governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel, and went on to popularise South African wines when they reached the glasses of noblemen overseas.
For two centuries, South African wine was a roaring staple in the industry, only brought to a halt by the arrival of foreign grapevine pests named phylloxera. Native to North America and transmitted through the delivery of infected plants, the insects made their way to Europe in the 1850s and, from there, were distributed to other parts of the globe. They were first discovered in South Africa in 1886. This, in conjunction with the Anglo-Boer war beginning in 1899, created a shift in South Africa's ability to produce wine that would take decades to recover from.
It was in 1918 that the Ko-operatiewe Wijnbouwers Vereniging van Zuid-Afrika (KWV) was formed to help support the industry in turmoil. Recruiting the most talented winemakers, they could not only find alternatives to wine but also implement vines that were resistant to pests while delivering the same quality that had been lost for so long by that time. The South African wine industry grew once more, eventually flourishing into what it is today.
Alongside the Groot Constantia, the Paarl Wine Route and Franschoek have become well-known regions for their wine range. KWV, Nederburg, and Fairview are just a few that can be found in the former, while Allèe Bleue, Backsberg, and Boschendal are a handful located in the latter.
Topography & Climate - Why South Africa is Ideal
It is rare for a Capetonian wine farm to be more than 50km from the shoreline. The warm temperatures and the cooler sea breezes yield the perfect conditions to produce a great variety of wines, giving the vineyards the right amount of moisture to thrive. The valley slopes provide adequate access to sunshine and rain throughout the year, creating a decent mixture of conditions that aligns perfectly with what's needed to produce quality grapes.
Regarding viticulture, there are three types of climate: macroclimate, mesoclimate, and microclimate. They can be explained as follows:
- Macroclimate - Tends to be more broad in coverage and summarises the climate in an entire region.
- Mesoclimate - This is more specific and usually refers to the climate of a single vineyard.
- Microclimate - Refers to the climate surrounding a particular vine canopy and is rarely considered more than a metre or so in distance.
The Mediterranean style of South Africa's coastlines brings a climate that, when combined with the elevation of Cape Town's mountainous terrains, creates ideal conditions for wine production.
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What Does South Africa Have to Offer?
As mentioned, South Africa's climate is incredibly influential in wine production. There are nearly 2,700 wineries across South Africa and a distinctly extensive offering of Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon, a famed white and red blend, respectively. With that being said, the thing that makes South African wine unique is the earthy flavours despite the ripe, fruity smells attributed to it.
There's more to South Africa's liquor development than wine. During the age of high-seas travel, the Dutch East Indies Company would use Cape Town as a stopping point during their journeys. To increase the longevity of the wine, they'd distil it to make brandy. Since then and to this very day, South Africa's brandy exports have remained steadfast.
South Africa's Great Contribution to the Industry
Before we take note of the wines you should keep an eye out for, let's first address a type of wine that finds its origins in South Africa and has excited the palates of countless wine enthusiasts. Pinotage is a native wine crafted as a hybrid between Pinot Noir and Cinsault and was once referred to as Hermitage. This was made possible by Abraham Izak Perold, the first viticulture professor at Stellenbosch University, in 1925.
Pinotage is a full-bodied red wine with medium-high tannins and is known for its dark berry flavours and candy-rich sweetness that leads to a robust and earthy finish laced with hints of fruit. Like most red wines, it pairs excellently with red meats and savoury dishes like pasta and pizza.
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Some of South Africa's Most Notable Wines
To close, let us enlighten you about three spectacular wines from South Africa. These are some of the most renowned South African wines with a particular taste for quality and offer flavours that one simply cannot miss out on.
- Raats Bush Vine Chenin Blanc Limited Release 2021 - The maiden release of a limited production, this wine is a fine representative of the graceful Chenin Blanc. A complicated yet disciplined wine, the ripe pear, orange blossoms, nettles, quince, and spice are all complimented by honeyed aromas synonymous with the type. Only 3,000 bottles of this sweet wine were ever made and would excellently with seafood and lighter meat dishes.
- Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir - A tribute to the old ways of Burgundian winemaking, this Pinot Noir has a deep red colour and is predictably ripe with dark red berries and fruits. As a smooth red, the softness of the wine is contrasted by the higher acidity and moderate tannins, making it fit for drinking on its own or alongside a wide range of dishes instead of only being ideal for red meat dishes.
- Mount Rozier Reserve Fairtrade Frog Chorus Rosé - Rosé is a passionate wine, pink in colour and full of sweet berries, rich cherry, and rose petal undertones. This particular Rosé was crafted from South Africa's signature Pinotage grapes along the coast, hailing from a cooler climate. Like any other good Rosé, it's perfectly paired with light dishes such as salads, but it should be saved for a spring picnic with a cheese platter.
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Author: Brandon Rix