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Getting to know some great
wines
With a history dating back more than
300 years, South African wines reflect the traditions of the Old World, yet
are also influenced by the contemporary styles of the New World.
This rare combination helps explain
the rising international popularity of South African wines in recent years.
Wine production in South Africa
dates back to 1659, just seven years after Jan van Riebeeck set up base for
the Dutch East India Company at Table Bay.
When Simon van der Stel became the
Cape’s first Governor in 1679, he actively encouraged the planting of more
vines and established his own vineyard at Constantia.
Wine production was improved when
Protestant Huguenots, escaping persecution in Catholic France, arrived in
South Africa in 1688, founding the wine district of Franschhoek, or “French
Corner”.
The Cape’s wine industry flourished
in the 18th century when the Napoleonic Wars cut off the supply
of French wines to Britain. Following the peace, however, wine exports to
Britain collapsed and in 1886 disease decimated the vineyards. The final
blow was the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War, which plunged the wine industry
into chaos.
Stability returned with the
establishment, in 1918, of the Co-operative Winegrowers’ Association, or
KWV, which today acts as a marketing organisation on behalf of its, 5000
wine farmer shareholders.
Cape Town is the gateway to the main
South African winelands. The Mediterranean climate, with warm summers and
winter rainfall, combined with rich soil, ensure the growth of strong and
healthy vines.
Cape wine country extends over a
huge area, from the northern West Coast region on the Atlantic coast to the
near desert of the Klein Karoo. Over 100 000 hectares of vineyards are
cultivated and wine in more than 340 wine cellars and estates.
White wine grape varieties include
Chenin Blanc, Colombard, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Semillon.
Amongst the reds are Cabernet
Sauvignon, Pintoage (a variety that remains almost exclusive to South
Africa), Merlot, Shiraz and Pinot Noir.
In 1973, South Africa’s winelands
were divided into a series of official regions, districts and wards.
South Africa's Cape boasts five
wine-growing regions, the Coastal, Olifants River, Boberg, Breede River
Valley, and Klein Karoo.
All have their own wine routes where
visitors are always welcome.
The Coastal Region consists of the
districts of Paarl, Stellenbosch, Swartland, Tulbagh, Tygerberg and Cape
Point. Within this area falls many key wards such as Constantia,
Durbanville, Franschhoek and Simonsberg.
Route 62, which meanders through the
Breede River Valley and the Klein Karoo, passes through the fruit and wine
producing towns of Barrydale, Montagu, Ashton, Bonnievale, Tulbach, Paarl
and Wellington – making it the longest wine route in the world.
Paarl, Franschhoek,
Wellington, Stellenbosch and Helderberg
Paarl – some 50km from Cape
Town, Paarl lies in the fertile Berg River Valley at the foot of the Paarl
Mountain. After the rains, the mountain’s distinctive granite boulders
glisten like pearls – hence the name of the scenic town. One of the town’s
major attractions are the cellars of KWV, which spearheads the export drive
in quality wines and brandies to global markets.
Franschhoek – This area was
first settled by the French Protestant Huguenots in the 17th
century, who brought with them their wine-growing expertise. Most of the
farms and wine estates have French sounding names. Set in a picturesque
valley and hour’s drive from Cape Town, Franschhoek offers visitors a wide
range of wines to accompany fine French cuisine.
Wellington- The small,
compact Wellington wine route is a 45 minute drive from Cape Town. Located
close to Paarl, Wellington is known for its top quality red wines like
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinotage as well as old favourites such as
Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
Stellenbosch- Renowned for
its Cape Dutch architecture and oak tree-lined streets, the picturesque
university town of Stellenbosch has been a major centre for South Africa’s
wine production for more than 300 years. A 30 minute drive from Cape Town,
the location of the vineyards on the rolling hills between the Stellenbosch
Mountains and the sea is critical to the quality of the wines. While the
region is best known for its full-bodied reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot, Pinotage, and Shiraz, there are pockets of vineyards that produce
top-quality white wines.
Helderberg- This is the
Cape’s newest wine route, a mere 15 minute drive from the Cape Town
International Airport with breathtaking views across False Bay. Winners of
numerous awards, some estates are boutique cellars that still use
traditional pressing methods.
Durbanville, Constantia and Tulbagh
Durbanville- Situated 20 km
north of Cape Town, Durbanville Hills offer spectacular views of Table
Mountain, Table Bay and Robben Island. Bordering on the Atlantic, the
rolling hills and valleys create a variety of microclimates ideal for the
production of noble wines.
Constantia- The Constantia
Valley nestles against the lower slopes of Constantia Mountain, an extension
of Table Mountain – so it’s the closest wine route to Cape Town. It is also
the most historic – four of the five estates in the region form part of the
original farm, Groot Constantia, established in 1685 by Simon van der Stel,
the first Dutch Governor of the Cape. Cool sea breezes, excellent soil,
temperate sunshine and good rainfall aid production of top quality red,
white and desert wines.
Tulbagh- The vineyards of
Tulbagh, an hour’s drive from Cape town, are planted alongside deciduous
fruit orchards and wheat fields, surrounded on the three sides by the
Winterhoek Mountains. Tulbagh’s historic Church Street boasts no less than
32 national monuments. The first vines were planted by Rijk Tulbagh three
centuries ago.
Swartland, Olifants River and Klein Karoo
Swartland- The name means
“black land” refers to the dark, rich soil of the area. A 40 minute drive
from Cape Town, the vineyards of the Swartland extend from Darling on the
west coast to the Olifants Mountain at Porterville in the east. In recent
years, the Swartland has been extremely successful at producing top-quality
Pinotage wines. The town of Darling is renowned for its spring wild flowers
and hosts an annual flower show.
Olifants River- A group of 17th
century Dutch explorers named the river Olifants because of a herd of 300
elephants they spotted on its banks. The tradition of wine making in the
Olifants River Valley can be traced back more than 200 years. The region
incorporates the Cederberg Mountains and Vredendal. The wine route winds
over 200km through the Cederberg Mountains and Namaqualand, famed for its
profusion of wild flowers in South Africa’s spring. It boasts the country’s
highest cellar – 1 150m above sea level.
Klein Karoo- This 300km
route, surrounded by spectacular mountain ranges, is the most easterly part
of the Cape winelands. Stretching from Montagu to Oudtshoorn, it produces some
of South Africa’s finest fortified wines and brandies, muscatel, full-bodied
cabernets and lighter wines. Ostriches are also farmed in this semi-arid
region.
Robertson, Worcester and Overberg
Robertson Valley- Less than a
two-hour drive from Cape Town, lies the Robertson Wine Valley, known for its
champion horses, excellent wines and its abundance of roses, hence the
description “the valley of wine and roses”. Following the course of the
Breede River, this region has established itself as a prime-wine producing
centre, largely due to its limestone soil and cool night temperatures, which
is ideal for Chardonnay in particular but also for Cabernet Sauvignon and
other varieties.
Worcester- In terms of
volume, Worcester is South Africa’s biggest wine-producing district,
producing nearly 25% of the country’s wine and spirits. Lying in the scenic
Breede River Valley, an hour’s drive from Cape Town, the district
encompasses Wolseley, Rawsonville and the picturesque Hex River Valley. The
town of Worcester is home to the KWV Brandy Cellar, the largest of its kind
in the world. The district is also known for its Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay
wines.
Overberg- This relatively new
wine-growing district, where the Cape’s southernmost vineyards are found. In
the Walker Bay area visits to the wine estates can be combined with Whale
watching at nearby Hermanus. Cool Atlantic breezes are ideal for the
production of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines.
Other Wine Regions
Orange River – Not within
striking distance of Cape Town, these vineyards are situated towards the
north of South Africa, in the Northern Cape. While in the midst of an arid,
sun-scorched landscape, the vines flourish from irrigation by the Orange,
Vaal and Riet Rivers.
Loopspruit- The most easterly
wine estate in South Africa is to be found at Loopspruit in Mpumalanga.
Jacobsdal- The estate of
Jacobsdal in the Free State produces some fine wines.
Useful Links
Platter Wine Guide
Site of the renowned SA wine guide: Cape wines A-Z, info on wine regions,
grape varieties & more.
Wine.co.za
Comprehensive SA wine guide, with news, wine shop, events calendar and links
directory.
WINEmag.co.za
WINE magazine's site: articles, wine appreciation guide, ratings, calendar
of events, online sales & more.
WineLand: an industry magazine.
Grape: independent quarterly magazine.
Copyright: South African Tourism
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