Although South Africa looks back on one more than three hundred-year old viticulture tradition, the viticulture is in South Africa in Central Europe only for the 1980er years internationally well-known, since the country was before politically to a large extent isolated. South Africa has wine (rank 9 world-wide) a of 117.000 hectars (rank 15 world-wide) and produces approx. 7.2 million hl. 4435 Traubenanbauer supply the 505 wine cellars. According to estimations the viticulture employs approx. 340,000 employees. The Weinbaugebiete are appropriate south, rarely more for than 50 km of the coast convenient. Thus these regions profit from the refreshing effect of the Benguelastroms.

History

The early period

The viticulture in South Africa begins 1652 with the arrival of January van Riebeeck with Capetown. Its mission on behalf the Vereenigde Oostindi Compagnie (VOC) existed in establishing a provisions station on the spice route from Europe to India. With its arrival he noticed the mediterrane climate and decided to import Rebsorten from Europe. He knew that wine on long sea voyages is more durable than fresh water in barrels and likewise positively affects the disease process of scurvy. 1655 he planted first common grape vines, and on 2 February 1659 in South Africa the first wine was gekeltert. Mr. van Riebeeck requested the farmers of the region around Capetown to cultivate vines. Due to the inexperience of there humans the results were not as successful in the initial phase always to designate.

1679 were replaced van Riebeeck by Simon van the Stel. This was not only wine lover, but had per finds of knowledge in the viticulture. It put on 750 hectars the large Weingut Groot Constantia on its farm and created the settlement place bosch. Constantia was acquired in the future by the family Cloete, which produced a product of world-wide reputation on its property. The there Dessertweine became estimated in of Europe aristocracy as the best of the best one.

The arrival of 150 French Huguenots between 1680 and 1690 animated the viticulture on broad front. Today among other things still the Weingut Boschendal exists from that time.

The time of 1700 to 1890

18. Century was still another learning phase. First export attempts were seen only reluctantly in the established European wine nations. South Africa was punished with the fact that from Europe enough barrels could not be imported. This led to a lack situation at barrels. Some farmers used even barrels, which had served before times for the storage of meat. Other wine farmers use however this time, in order to make sufficient experiences with different Rebsorten and their suitability in different regions.

The first half 19. Century brought the viticulture a first bloom time. The British occupation as well as the circumstance at this time of the delivered conflict between England and France opened completely new markets to the South African wine. In these 50 years production on approx. 45,000 increased tenfold hl. When England and France settled the conflict and waived the government under William Ewart Gladstone the preferential duties for the Empire, the market broke down 1861. 1886 was struck the to all abundance of the Reblaus. Inconsiderate new cultivations led in a first phase to an overproduction.

20. Century in the history of the viticulture in South Africa

The phase of the uncertainty was terminated by Charles Kohler 1918 by the establishment the cooperative one with the name cooperative Wijnbouwers Vereiniging van Zuid Africa beperkt (shortened KWV). The marketing efforts could be bundled, which wine farmer a secured income granted and which is reglementiert production.

1925 were developed the autochthone Rebsorte Pinotage; the first wine of this sort was brought 1961 on the market.

In the future the KWV made the production of Brandy and aufgespriteten wines in the haven wine style its main objective. The markets were very much limited, since South Africa was politically isolated due to its apartheid politics. This changed only years for in the middle of the 1980er, when the import restrictions for Rebenstecklinge were loosened. With this loosening the viticulture in South Africa was redefined, since now internationally well-known Rebsorten could be cultivated such as Chardonnay or the red wine vines after the model of Bordeaux. In the consequence the was hardly changed, but the existing Rebanlagen was again bestockt to parts by qualitatively high-quality sorts. 1992 were relieved the KWV from its power to the regimentation of production; talented winegrowers could unfold free now. Since 1998 the increases on the average by approx. 3,300 hectars/year.

Climate and geography

The Weinbaugebiete of South Africa are appropriate for 31 between that. and 34. southern degree of latitude, in the proximity of the southern turning circle. Actually this geographical zone for the viticulture is already much too warm. In southwest proximity to the coast the influence of a cool which comes from the Antarctic, becomes clearly noticeable. This sea stream is called Benguelastrom.

From its effect a moderate maritime climate in the Weinbaugebieten, which are predominantly in the province west cape, which is suitable outstanding for the cultivation of quality wines, results. The time of the wine vintage lies between February and April.

Quality wine politics

South Africa developed a quality wine system developed on Appellationen; the Wine OF Origin (abbreviation W.O.) - system. With this system one assumes the quality of the wine is determined both by the location of the vineyard and by the winegrower (choice of the Rebsorte, viticulture technology, work in the vineyard). The set of rules of the Wine OF Origin intervenes therefore in these parameters. The designation Wine OF Origin was introduced 1973. W.O. - Wines have either a guarantee of origin, an origin warranty, a Rebsortengarantie or a class warranty. The monitoring of the set of rules as well as certifying the wines are incumbent on the Wine and Spirit board.

Origin area

Geographically the viticulture surface in five units of different size was divided:

1. The single situation, which may not be larger than five hectares
2. The group of several together bordering viticulture enterprises
3. The district, here ward mentioned. In ward summarized situations exhibit a common denominator regarding the soil as well as micro-climatic conditions, so that the wines exhibit a regional-specific taste.
4. The district
5. The viticulture region

Certified Rebsorten

In the context of the quality politics only the following Rebsorten is certified: Alicante Bouschet, Auxerrois, Barbera, Bukettraube, Cabernet franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Chardonnay, Chenel, Chenin Blanc (Steen), Cinsault, Clairette Blanche, Colombard, Cornifesto, Fernao Pires, Furmint, Gamay, Grachen, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Kerner, Malbec, Merlot, Meunier (Pinot Meunier), Morio Muskat, (Mataro), Mueller Thurgau, Muscat d'Alexandrie (here Hanepoot called), Muscat blanc petits grains (here still often falsely Muscat de Frontignan called), Muscat de Hambourg, Muskat Ottonel, Nebbiolo, Palomino (White French/Fransdruif), Petit DOT (DOT), Pinotage, Pinot Blanc (Weissburgunder), Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio), Pinot Noir, Pontak (Teinturier paints), Riesling (Cape Riesling/Kaapse Riesling/Crouchen), Roobernet, Roussanne, Ruby Cabernet, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc (Blanc Schnburger, Semillon (Groendruif), Shiraz (Syrah), Sultana (Sultanina/Thompson Seedless), Sylvaner, Tannat, Tempranillo (Tinta Roriz), Therona, Tinta Barocca, Tinta Francisca, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Ugni blanc (Trebbiano), Verdelho, Viognier, Zinfandel (Primitivo).

If on the label of the wine the name of the Rebsorte is mentioned as sort-pure wine, the wine must be gekeltert at least from 75% the Rebsorte. This percentage rises starting from 1 January 2006 to 85%.

Class data

Only of wines certified by the Wine and Spirit board may an indication of class on the label make. With indication of the class at least 75% of the Weines contained in the bottle must come from the mentioned year. Starting from 1 January 2006 the portion on 85% is raised.

Rebsortenspiegel

To white Rebsorten are allotted approx. 59.5 per cent (conditions 2003) the Rebbestands in South Africa. For many years a clear trend exists away from the weisswein and to the red wine. In the last 12 years the red wine portion of 16 per cent rose to now 40.5 per cent.

White Rebsorten:

• Chenin Blanc (19,325 hectars surface bestockte; Conditions 2003), tendency falling
• Sultana (= Thompson Seedless) (11,595 hectars)
• Colombard (11,026 hectars)
• Chardonnay (6,689 hectars), tendency rising
• Sauvignon Blanc (6,843 hectars)
• Hanepoot (3,075 hectars), then is called here the Muscat d"´Alexandrie
• Cape Riesling (1,361 hectars)
• (997 hectars)
• Riesling (320 hectars)
• Other white Rebsorten (4,240 hectars)

Red Rebsorten:

• Cabernet Sauvignon (13,160 hectars)
• Shiraz (8,724 hectars)
• Pinotage (6,829 hectars)
• Merlot (6,781 hectars)
• Cinsault (3,085 hectars)
• Ruby Cabernet (2,533 hectars)
• Cabernet franc (865 hectars)
• Pinot Noir (536 hectars)
• Other red Rebsorten (2,217 hectars)

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