Page 144 - GV2020 Portfolio Master

SOUTH AFRICA

Even though South Africa is considered to be part of the New World, wine has been made there for over 350 years. The wine regions
are focused on the south west of the country and usually endure a hot dry climate. Many people associate South Africa with
Pinotage, but the country produces many other quality wines from Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet, Pinot Noir and
Merlot.
The structure of the South African wine business has also changed dramatically in the last 10 years. While co-ops are still important,
providing grapes for cheap wines on the domestic market and some of the big export brands, there are now nearly 500 private
wineries operating in South Africa. It is hard to believe that individual wine estates have only recently been allowed to buy grapes,
(although a separate name must be used for the wine they produce) which is quite a contrast with most New World wine producing
countries!
Despite producing quality juice for centuries, South Africa has struggled to find its identity on the world wine stage. Via programs to
encourage growers and estates to move towards more sustainable, organic and biodynamic growing practices, they are beginning to
produce some of the cleanest, most terroir-wines available in the Southern Hemisphere.

Paarl
Essay
M.A.N.

Cape Town
Constantia Glen

Franschhoek Valley
Boekenhoutskloof
Chamonix
Walker Bay
Hamilton Russell
Southern Right
Stellenbosch Tesselaarsdal
Boekenhoutskloof
Reyneke

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