South Africa

One of the New World's oldest wine producers dating back to the 17th century & the Dutch East India Company plantings near Table Moutain, South Africa now produces wine from approx. 100,000ha; 40% less than Bordeaux's total vineyard area.

Since being freed from the shackles of apartheid in 1994, the South African wine industry has blossomed into a nation of 4,000 vineyard smallholders averaging 3ha or less. While this has provided the perfect canvas for a burgeoning wine tourism industry, it has been less helpful when it comes to competing on the world stage where appropriately large wine brands in the mould of Penfolds are required - but in South Africa wine landscape they remain conspicuously absent. 

Regrettably, years of underinvestment during the KWV cooperative era has resulted in vineyards ravaged by (leafroll) viruses, perpetuated by a system of grape-growers continuing to supply a number of wine estates; contributing perhaps to the infamous Cape fruit character found in far too many red wines...

60% of South Africa’s wine producers have signed up to the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative (BWI) which advocates sustainable wine production. Nature is certainly on South African wine producers' side with plenty of sun in this warm Mediterranean climate, tempered by Oceanic onshore breezes. Climate plays a greater role in determining the style and quality of the Cape's wine, while the predominantly granitic (low pH) soils contributes to a generally fuller, rounder, low acid mouthfeel.

Stellenbosch with 17,500 ha is the most important fine wine producing district, followed by Swartland with 15,000 ha and then Paarl at 18,000 ha. Worcester (20,500 ha), Robertson (13,500 ha), Olifants River (10,000 ha) and Orange River (5,000 ha) make up the difference (and ballast). 

Newly created wine regions include the coastal Elim (near Cape Agulhas, Africa's southern-most tip), West Coast, Langloof, and Prince Albert (near the majestic Swartberg - Black Mountain).

The split of white to red wine production was 55/45 in 2005. The white wine grapes are dominated by Chenin Blanc (Steen) with 20% share, with Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier the great white hopes. The red wine grapes are led by Cabernet Sauvignon with 13%, with Merlot and Shiraz close behind. 

Pinotage, South Africa's indigenous grape varietal (a cross between Pinot Noir & Cinsaut -spelt “Cinsault” in the Southern Rhône) is at 6% and decreasing.