Overview:
Dating back more than 300 years, the South African wine industry
is an excellent example of Old World classicism touched by the
fruit-driven styles of the New World. The results of this rare
combination are character-driven wines that eloquently express
the *Cape region's one-of-a-kind
terroir and unique culture.
*The Cape is a wine growing region
located in the narrow viticultural zone of the southern
hemisphere in South Africa. The Mediterranean climate and
the mountain slopes and valleys form the ideal habitat for the
wine grape.
Wine of Origin Production Areas:
-
Cape Point:
western edges of the Cape peninsula; cool climate district
-
Constantina:
eastern slopes of Constantiaberg, an extension of Table
Mountain
-
Darling:
known for its exceptional Sauvignon Blanc
-
Durbanville:
dryland vineyards situated on the Rolling Hill Slopes; known
for a wide variety of wine styles
-
Elim:
situated around the village of Elim, a Moravian mission
settlement near Africa’s southernmost point
-
Klein Karoo:
relative extremes regarding soils and climate; known for
its sweet wines
-
Lower
Orange: most northerly wine growing area in the Cape;
close proximity to the Orange River
-
Olifants
River: stretches north to south along the valley of the
Olifants River; source of good value wines
-
Overberg:
cool southerly district; known for production of wines
displaying exceptional fruit
-
Paarl:
home to KWV vineyards; produces a wide variety of grapes
-
Philadelphia: relatively new appellation that shows
promise in developing exceptional Cabernet, Merlot, and red
blends
-
Robertson:
situated in the Breed River Valley; renowned for the
quality of its wines
-
Stellenbosch:
much sought-after viticultural area that produces
exceptional wines in a number of varietals
-
Swartland:
area producing top Port-style wines among other
award-winning reds and whites
-
Tulbagh:
surrounded on 3 sides by the Winterhoek mountains;
relatively cool daily temperatures and a variety or soils
-
Walker Bay:
vineyards benefit from persistent cooling winds from the
nearby ocean: renowned for its top-notch Chardonnay and
Pinot Noir
-
Worcester:
largest in terms of winegrowing area and volume; home to
KVW's brandy cellar
White Wine Varietals
Bukettraube, Cape
Riesling (Crouchen Blanc), Chardonnay, Chenel, Chenin Blanc,
Clairette Blanche, Colombard, Emerald Riesling, Gewurztraminer,
Muscat d'Alexandrie (Hanepoot), Muscadel, Nouvelle, Palomino,
Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Ugni Blanc, Viognier,
Weisser Riesling (Rhein Riesling)
Red Wine Varietals
Cabernet Franc,
Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Cinsault, Gamay Noir, Grenache
(Noir), Malbec, Merlot, Mourvedre, Muscadel, Nebbiolo, Petit
Verdot, Pinot Noir, Pinotage, Roobernet, Ruby Cabernet, Shiraz,
Tinta Barocca, Touriga Nacional, Zinfandel
In terms of world
wine production, South Africa ranks as number nine in volume
production of wine and produces 3,1% of the world's wine,
however the South African wine industry is rapidly expanding as
overseas consumers experience the wide array of quality wines
produced in the cape region.
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