Traditional Culture Encyclopedia - Weather inquiry - The history and origins of South African wine

The history and origins of South African wine

Although South Africa has a wine-making history of more than 350 years, its wine industry has only begun to flourish in modern times. Below I share the history and origin of South African wine, let’s learn about it together.

The history and origin of South African wine

South Africa is one of the representatives of wine producing areas in the New World. In the modern history of the world, the South African wine industry has been very prosperous. The French Emperor Both Napoleon and the Russian Czar loved drinking South African wine. Later, in 1886, South African wine went through a period of disorder due to natural disasters and wars. It was not until the establishment of the South African Grape Growers Association Ko-operatiewe Wynbouwers Vereniging (KWV) in 1918 that South African wine truly entered the international market. and became popular all over the world. South African wine starts with its history. South Africa is located at the southernmost tip of the African continent. Its northern part has a subtropical and steppe climate, while its southernmost Cape Peninsula has a typical Mediterranean climate influenced by the ocean. South Africa's wine production is mainly concentrated in this region, especially in the western part of the Cape region, which is now known as the Western Cape. The history of South African wine can be roughly divided into five periods.

The first period: the early pioneering period

Viticulture and winemaking in the Cape region can be traced back to the early colonial era. The Cape of Good Hope has always been an important transit point and supply base for Europe to India. The Dutch East India Company and later the British East India Company further promoted European immigration to South Africa and also brought viticulture technology and wine making technology. The introduction of viticulture originated from the horticultural experiments of Jan van Riebeeck, the first colonial governor of the Netherlands. He introduced grape cuttings from France and Spain in 1655 and 1656 respectively, and produced the first batch of wine in February 1659. He wrote in his diary: ?Thank God, today, wine was finally pressed for the first time from Cape grapes. ?This was also the beginning of the South African wine legend.

The second period: the large-scale planting period

The arrival of the new governor Simon van DerSte1 in 1679 greatly promoted the viticulture and viticulture in the Cape region. Winemaking. He personally developed viticulture in the Constantia valley. A 770-hectare farm was opened on the low slopes and named Constantia. Due to the unique climatic conditions of the Cape region, the natural sweet wine produced here quickly became famous in the European market. In addition to Constantia, he founded new farming communities in Stellenbosch and Drakenstein, an area that welcomed 200 exiled French Huguenots in 1688. Many of them are experts in viticulture and winemaking, and have greatly improved the level of winemaking in the region. In the 17th century, the cultivation of wine grapes on a model farm in the Cape region reached more than 400,000 plants. Wine became an important branch of South African agriculture, and the excellent navigation conditions were used to export wine to Europe.

The third period: the Great Depression

In the 1980s, a serious phylloxera disaster occurred in Europe. In 1886, phylloxera was introduced to the Cape region, forcing farmers to destroy millions of vines, resulting in huge economic losses. The South African grape and wine industry was saved with the adoption of American grape rootstocks. However, overproduction due to lack of market and the war between Britain and the Boers (1899~1903) caused the wine industry to suffer confusion and disorder.

The fourth period: the standardization period

In order to deal with overproduction and protect the interests of vineyards, South Africa established the "Wine Manufacturers Association (kWV)" in 1918. The establishment of the wine industry brought stability, development and prosperity. As one of the New World wine-producing regions, South Africa's wine industry attaches great importance to technological advancement. The introduction and promotion of cold fermentation technology in 1957 greatly improved the aroma and quality of wine, especially white wine, further establishing South Africa's position as a world-class producer of high-quality wine. Legislation was passed in 1972 to protect and recognize the distinctive qualities of wine produced by the origin, manufacturer and grape varieties used. The legislation was implemented in 1973.

The fifth period: modern times

Now, throughout the Western Cape region, 4,900 growers plant 93,250 hectares of vineyards. There are 4 main types of producers: producers, distributors, collaborators, individual producers and chateau wine producers. There are 5 producers and sellers: KWV, Bellingham, Distillers Company, Gilbey Vintners and Stellenbosch Farmers' Winery (SFW is the fifth largest winery in the world and the largest winery in South Africa after KWV).

These companies use grapes from their own vineyards to make wine, and they also purchase grapes and wine, blend them and sell them under their own brands. A further 70 collaborators offer wines of excellent quality and affordable prices. There are also 83 wineries that only use grapes from their own or nearby vineyards to make wine. South Africa's annual wine production ranks eighth in the world, accounting for 3% of the world's wine production, and its annual per capita wine consumption is 9 liters. Most wine is sold through domestic sellers, but export numbers are increasing as international recognition of its products continues. What are the main grape varieties in South Africa

1. The main red grape varieties in South Africa

South Africa’s iconic red grape variety? Pinotage (Pinotage)

Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon: Cabernet Sauvignon has a long history of planting in South Africa. It is the red grape variety with the largest planting area in South Africa. Its planting area occupies more than a quarter of the red grape planting area in South Africa. It is grown in various regions of the Cape Province, but is particularly popular in the Paarl and Stellenbosch regions.

Merlot: Merlot has taken root in South Africa since 1910 and is grown in the Strand, Paarl, Worcester and arid places on the west coast. . It can be blended with Cabernet Sauvignon or used as a single varietal wine. Single varietal Merlot wines are very rich and fruity.

Pinotage: This variety was born in 1925 by Professor Perold, a South African viticulture expert, using Pinot Noir and Cinsaut. ) obtained by crossing grapes. Unique to South Africa, it produces rich, spicy wines that are prized around the world. Pinotage occupies more than one-fifth of the area planted with red grape varieties in South Africa.

Shiraz: This variety is very suitable for the climate conditions of the Cape Province and has great development potential. The wine produced from it has a rich smoky and spicy flavor. In recent years, its cultivation area has increased significantly.

Pinot Noir: The planting area of ??Pinot Noir in South Africa is relatively small. The cooler areas of Walker Bay and Elgin have produced some Pinot Noir wines that have won awards at international wine competitions.

In addition to the above, South Africa’s red grape varieties include Ruby Cabernet, Cinsault and Cabernet Franc, etc. These varieties are generally not used to make single variety wines. , but blended with other varieties.

2. South Africa’s main white grape varieties

Chardonnay: This variety has only been planted in South Africa since 1982, but its planting area has expanded very rapidly. Among them, the Chardonnay wine produced in the Cape Province, whether matured in oak barrels or not, has a variety of fruit flavors and a very elegant taste.

Chenin Blanc: In South Africa, Chenin Blanc is also called Steen and is the most widely planted grape variety in South Africa. The wine made from it is fresh and delicious, fruity and easy to drink. Modern winemakers have greatly improved the quality of Chenin Blanc wines, producing wines with lively tastes, diverse flavors and excellent aging potential. Chenin Blanc grapes are also used to make sparkling wine and brandy.

Sauvignon Blanc: In the 18th century, this variety was widely planted in South Africa. The main planting areas include Paarl, Strand and Constantia. . Today, South Africa’s Sauvignon Blanc wine is beginning to make a name for itself in the world.

Colombard: This variety can produce a fresh and crisp dry white wine, usually blended with Chenin Blanc or Chardonnay.

Semillon: Semillon was once the most important variety in the Cape Province, but later its planting area was greatly reduced, and it is only planted in a small number of vineyards in the Cape Province. Today, Semillon has gained renewed attention and can be used to produce some wines with a variety of flavors and rich taste.

South Africa’s white grape varieties include Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat d’Alexandrie, and Muscat de Fontina. Frontignan, Cape Riesling and Viognier, etc.