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Showing posts with label WINES OF SOUTH AFRICA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WINES OF SOUTH AFRICA. Show all posts

Saturday, August 5, 2023

How the Wine making started in the new world wine making countries?

 The history of wine-making in the New World wine-producing countries, such as the Americas, Australia, and New Zealand, is relatively recent compared to the Old World wine regions of Europe. Here's a brief overview of how wine-making started in some of these regions:


North America (United States):

Winemaking in the United States has roots dating back to the early European settlements, particularly with Spanish missionaries in California. In the late 18th century, Spanish missionaries established vineyards and began producing sacramental wines. However, it was in the mid-19th century that the modern wine industry began to take shape, with significant contributions from immigrants, particularly from wine-producing regions in Europe. The California Gold Rush in the mid-1800s brought a surge of people to the region, and some of these settlers established vineyards and wineries. The introduction of European grape varieties, improved viticultural practices, and advancements in winemaking techniques contributed to the growth of the industry. The wine industry in California faced challenges during Prohibition (1920-1933), but it rebounded afterward, and California is now one of the world's leading wine producers.


South America (Argentina and Chile):

The history of wine-making in South America is closely tied to Spanish colonization. Spanish conquistadors and missionaries introduced vine cultivation and wine production to regions like Argentina and Chile in the 16th century. The Catholic Church played a significant role in the early establishment of vineyards for sacramental wine production. Over time, European immigrants, including Italians and French, brought their expertise and expanded the industry. Both Argentina and Chile have since become major players in the global wine market, known for their distinctive varietals like Malbec and Carmenère.


Australia:

The beginnings of wine-making in Australia can be traced back to the late 18th century when British settlers arrived. In 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip, the first governor of New South Wales, brought vine cuttings from Europe to establish vineyards for the British colony. Early attempts at wine production faced challenges due to unfamiliar climates and soil conditions. However, by the mid-19th century, German and other European immigrants began to successfully cultivate vineyards and produce wine, leading to the establishment of regions like the Barossa Valley in South Australia. Australian wine gained international recognition in the 20th century and is known for its diverse range of styles.


New Zealand:

Winemaking in New Zealand has more recent origins, starting in the mid-19th century. British colonists, especially in the North Island, began experimenting with grape cultivation and wine production. However, it wasn't until the latter half of the 20th century that the industry gained significant momentum. The 1970s and 1980s saw a surge in vineyard plantings and the introduction of new grape varieties, such as Sauvignon Blanc. New Zealand's distinct terroir and innovative winemaking practices have since helped it become known for its high-quality, cool-climate wines.


These New World wine regions have continued to evolve, adopting modern viticultural techniques and producing wines that reflect both their unique terroir and the influence of their Old World predecessors.


South Africa:

The history of wine-making in South Africa dates back to the mid-17th century when Dutch settlers, known as the Cape Dutch, established the Cape Colony. Jan van Riebeeck, the colony's first commander, planted the first vineyards in the area around 1655. Initially, wine production was focused on providing wine for the Dutch East India Company's ships, as well as for the local population. The industry gradually grew, and French Huguenot refugees brought their winemaking knowledge to the region in the late 17th century, further contributing to the development of viticulture. Over time, South Africa faced challenges such as phylloxera and political upheavals, but it has emerged as an important wine-producing country with a diverse range of grape varieties and styles.


Canada:

Winemaking in Canada has a history that dates back to the 1600s when early French settlers, particularly in Quebec, began cultivating grapes and producing wine for local consumption. However, the modern Canadian wine industry really began to take shape in the mid-20th century, with significant contributions from British Columbia and Ontario. The wine regions in these provinces benefited from a combination of factors, including favorable climate conditions, advancements in cold-hardy grape varieties, and improved winemaking techniques. Canada is now known for its ice wines, made from grapes that have frozen on the vine, resulting in intensely sweet and flavorful wines.


Other New World Regions:

Various other countries have also established wine industries in the New World. Countries like Uruguay, Brazil, and Mexico have made strides in recent decades, with a focus on both traditional and innovative grape varieties. These regions often draw on the expertise of winemakers from established wine-producing countries to develop their own unique styles.


In all of these New World wine regions, the journey of wine-making has involved a combination of historical influences, immigrant contributions, experimentation, and adaptation to local conditions. As these countries continue to refine their winemaking practices and showcase their unique terroirs, they contribute to the global diversity and appreciation of wine.



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Wednesday, November 4, 2009

WINE LABELS OF SOUTH AFRICA


WINE LABELS OF SOUTH AFRICA


WINE REGIONS OF SOUTH AFRICA

ROBERTSON and a few other villages lie along a fertile, if warm, valley where white wines such as chardonnay (from De Wetshof Estate) and sparkling wine (from Graham Beck Winery) used to be the main stars. Today the move is to red varieties, especially shiraz (Zandvliet).

STELLENBOSCH is, in the minds of many, the finest wine area in South Africa, claiming the crown for reds. With a list of more than 80 wineries and producers, it is also the most expensive wine farmland. Nearly all the most famous international names in South African wines are found here in an area reaching from sea-facing slopes to valley-hugging hills. This is the home of Kanonkop, Meerlust, Rustenberg, Thelema and Warwick. The list is endless. This is also where Distell, the country’s largest player in the drinks market, is seated. Designated wards within the district are Jonkershoek Valley, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, Bottelary, Devon Valley and Papegaaiberg. Cabernet sauvignon, merlot, pinotage and chenin blanc are the stars here.

SWARTLAND means “black country”, a traditional sunny wheat area north of Cape Town. These days, wineries are making modern, well-appreciated white wines here with top reds on the way. The Darling region especially is on the roll.
WALKER BAY near the coastal town of Hermanus has become another of the Cape’s most fashionable regions. With Elgin to the west and Bot River inland, it falls under the Overberg appellation. It is the home of Cape pinot noir and good chardonnay and home to places like Hamilton-Russell.
WORCESTER and surrounds comprise 20% of all South Africa’s vineyards. Brandy is produced, and wine for wholesalers. Small volumes are bottled under own labels. Value-for-money is a hallmark. 

Thursday, October 29, 2009

WINE REGIONS OF SOUTH AFRICA

PAARL is another of the Cape’s historic towns where wine has been made for centuries. Home to the original KWV head office and its impressive Cathedral Cellar, as well as the country’s best-known brand Nederburg, many cellars, small and large, from boutique to co-operative, produce wine from the ordinary to the sensational. Winemakers have been concentrating on shiraz, but some fine chenin blanc, pinotage, cabernet sauvignon, blends, and even unusual varieties such as viognier and mourvèdre are turned into prize-winning wines. Glen Carlou, Villiera and the value-for-money co-operative Boland Kelders are among the top performers here.

WINE REGIONS OF SOUTH AFRICA

OLIFANTS RIVER is a fast-growing region stretching a few hundred kilometres up the west coast from the Cape. Plenty of exported easy-drinking wines come from here. The Vredendal Winery is one of the largest in the world, employing some of the most modern techniques.

ORANGE RIVER is one of Africa’s great rivers and along its Northern Cape bank lie large white-wine producing vineyards. Winemaking is sophisticated and reds are getting more attention with an eye to exports. 

WINE REGIONS OF SOUTH AFRICA

FRANSCHHOEK: lies in a contained valley, a pretty town founded by the French Huguenots in 1688. Today it is very much a boutique region with old buildings, restaurants and small producers. Stylish cellars include La Motte, Cabrière, Plaisir de Merle and Boekenhoutskloof.

KLEIN KAROO: is a semi-desert region inland that has inspired some winemakers to take up the challenge. Fortified wines such as muscadels and Portuguese “port” styles do well in places such as Calitzdorp. 

WINE REGIONS OF SOUTH AFRICA

CONSTANTIA: It is the historic hub of Cape wine. Closest to Cape Town, it boasts some of the most famous estate names such as Groot and Klein Constantia, and Buitenverwachting. On premium terroir and in ideal climatic conditions, superb sauvignon blanc and semillon wines are produced

DURBANVILLE: and its hills northeast of Cape Town have a winemaking history dating back 280 years. Some star performers are emerging, including brilliant sauvignon blancs with strong contemporary focus on shiraz and merlot. Durbanville Hills is a large, modern facility and Nitida a small boutique set-up.

SOUTH AFRICAN WINES AND CHEESE


A VINEYARD IN STELLENBOSCH


Vineyard in the Paarl ward of Franschhoek


MAJOR GRAPE VARIETIES - SOUTH AFRICA

Grape
Vineyards
Chenin Blanc
18.7%
Cabernet Sauvignon
13.1%
Colombard
11.4%
Shiraz
9.6%
Sauvignon Blanc
8.2%
Chardonnay
8.0%
Merlot
6.7%
Pinotage
6.2%

WINES OF SOUTH AFRICA

Since the 1990s, interest and plantings of red grape varieties have been steadily on the rise. In the late 1990s, less than 18% of all the grapes grown in South Africa were red. By 2003 that number has risen to 40% and was still trending upwards. For most of the 21st century, the high yielding Cinsaut was the most widely planted red grape variety but the shift in focus to quality wine production has saw plantings of the grape steadily decline to where it represented just 3% of all South Africa vineyards in 2004. In its place Cabernet SauvignonShiraz and Pinotage have risen to prominence with Cabernet Sauvignon being the most widely red grape variety covering 13% of all plantings in 2006. Other red grape varieties found in South Africa include CarignanGamay (often made in the style of Beaujolais wine with carbonic macerationGrenachePontacRuby CabernetTinta Barroca and Zinfandel.
There is a wide range of lesser known groups that are used to feed the country's still robust distilled spirits and fortified wine industry. These grapes usually produce bland, neutral wine that lends itself well to blending and distillation but is rarely seen as varietal bottlings. These include BeliesFalse PedroKanaänRaisin blancSultana and Servan. 

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

GRAPE VARIETIES - SOUTH AFRICA

Grape varieties in South Africa are known as cultivar, with many common international varieties developing local synonyms that still have a strong tradition of use. These include Chenin blanc (Steen), Riesling (known locally as Weisser Riesling), Crouchen (known as Cape Riesling), Palomino (the grape of the Spanish wine Sherry known locally as "White French"), Trebbiano (Ugni Blanc), SĂ©millon (Groendruif) and Muscat of Alexandria (Hanepoot). However, wines that are often exported overseas will usually have the more internationally recognized name appear on the wine label.

In 2006, SAWIS (South African Wine Information and Systems) reported that the country had 100,146 hectares of vineyards, with about 55 percent planted to white varieties. Chenin blanc has long been the most widely planted variety, still accounting for at least one-fifth of all grape varieties planted in South Africa as of 2004 though that number is decreasing. In the 1980s and 1990s, interest in international varieties saw increase in plantings of Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc. Other white grape varieties with significant plantings include Colombard (spelled locally as Colombar), Cape Riesling, GewĂĽrztraminer, Hannepoot, Muscat Blanc Ă  Petits Grains, Riesling and SĂ©millon. Both red and white mutants of Muscat Blanc Ă  Petits Grains as well as Chenel and Weldra, two Chenin blanc-Ugni blanc crossings, are used for brandy distillation and fortified wine production.  

WINES OF SOUTH AFRICA


WINES OF SOUTH AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICA IS ONE FO THE WORLD’S MOST EXCITING WINE PRODUCING COUNTRIES. As of 2003, South Africa was 17th in terms of acreage planted with the country owning 1.5% of the world's grape vineyards with 270,600 acres (110,000 hectares). Yearly production among South Africa's wine regions is usually around 264 million gallons (10 million hl) which regularly puts the country among the top ten wine producing countries in the world. The majority of wine production in South Africa takes place in the Cape Province, particularly the southwest corner near the coastal region. South African wine has a history dating back to 1659, and at one time Constantia was considered one of the greatest wines in the world. Access to international markets has unleashed a burst of new energy and new investment. Production is concentrated around Cape Town, with major vineyard and production centres at PaarlStellenbosch and Worcester.

There are about 60 appellations within the Wine of Origin (WO) system, which was implemented in 1973 with a hierarchy of designated production regions, districts and wards. WO wines must be made 100% from grapes from the designated area. "Single vineyard" wines must come from a defined area of less than 5 hectares. An "Estate Wine" can come from adjacent farms, as long as they are farmed together and wine is produced on site. A ward is an area with a distinctive soil type and/or climate, and is roughly equivalent to a European appellation.
 

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