South African wine regions

The majority of South Africa's wine regions are located in the Western Cape

Western Cape is a Geographical Unit within the Wine of Origin classification system of South African wine. Corresponding to the province of Western Cape it includes most of the vineyards in South Africa.

[edit] Style

The wines of the Western Cape range from sturdy Rhone-style red wines to aromatic Sauvignon Blancs in vineyards cooled by breezes off the Atlantic.

[edit] History

On 2 February 1659 the founder of Cape Town, Jan van Riebeeck, produced the first wine recorded in South Africa.^[1] In 1685, the Constantia estate was established in a valley facing False Bay by the Governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel. His 'Vin de Constance' soon acquired a good reputation. But it was Hendrik Cloete, who bought the homestead in 1778,^[2] who really made the name of Constantia famous, with an unfortified wine made from a blend of mostly Muscat de Frontignan (Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains), Pontac, red and white Muscadel (probably clones of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains??) and a little Chenin Blanc. It became a favourite tipple of European kings and emperors, from Frederick the Great to Napoleon. But the vineyards were decimated by phylloxera, the Cloete family were bankrupted, and Groot Constantia was sold to the government as an experimental station. In 1980 Duggie Jooste bought Klein Constantia, redeveloped it, and is now selling a new version of Vin de Constance made from Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains.^[3]

The Franschhoek Valley was settled over 300-years ago by the French Huguenots.

A vineyard in Stellenbosch

The first official wine route was opened in Stellenbosch in 1971.

[edit] Wine of Origin

In 1993, Western Cape was designated as a Geographical Unit under the Wine of Origin scheme.

[edit] Geography

The Geographical Unit covers almost all of the South African winelands, including the regions of Breede River Valley, Coastal Region, Klein Karoo and Olifants River. It also includes the otherwise unassigned southern districts of Bot River, Cape Agulhas, Overberg, Plettenberg Bay and Walker Bay, and the wards of Cederberg, Ceres, Herbertsdale, Prince Albert Valley, Ruiterbosch and Swartberg.

[edit] Bot River (Botrivier)

There are two wineries on the banks of the 'butter' river, Goedvertrouw and Beaumont Wines.

[edit] Cape Agulhas

The southern tip of Africa, where the Atlantic meets the Indian Ocean, offers a unique terroir where Sauvignon Blanc thrives, particularly in the ward of Elim.

[edit] Overberg

This district south of Paarl is cooled by Atlantic breezes and is producing some exciting cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. It includes the Elgin and Klein River wards.

[edit] Plettenberg Bay

Newly declared WO that is home to Bramon Estate, who are best known for a sparkling Sauvignon Blanc.

[edit] Walker Bay

West of Cape Agulhas, this coastal district produces some high quality wines from the Burgundy varieties. Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Sunday's Glen and Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley were recently declared as wards.

[edit] See also

• South African wine
• Cape Winelands - an administrative region
• Breede River/Winelands Local Municipality - an administrative district
• Wine regions of South Africa

[edit] Notes and references

[edit] Further reading

• John Platter South African Wine Guide

[edit] External links

• www.winemag.co.za WINE magazine