WINES OF AFRICA

                             

                WINES OF AFRICA

 

WINE REGIONS OF AFRICA

A complete range is produced in South Africa; Wines are similar to that of Australia, but with a difference. South Africa excels more in Sherries and white wines of Hock style; And Australia is more eminent in the production of port and Burgundy types. The vineyards are situated in the South Western Cape and along the Orange River in the north.   

              It has a long history of wine making, Jan Van Riebeeck, a surgeon on a Dutch ship, planted the first wines in 1652.

BLACK EVANS DELIGHT

CHENIN-BLANC GRAPES

SHIRAZ

PINOTAGE

SAUVIGNON BLANC

Grape varieties of Africa:

White Wines:
Chenin Blanc: used for making white wine- used for making Bortytis Sweet wine, [Botrytis cinerea is called noble rot,  Name of the fungus that leads to grape rot, in some climatic conditions it can shrink the grapes, resulting in concentrated grape juice that can be used to produce sweet white wines.]

The best ----- Nederberg’s world famous Paarl Edelkeur

Muscat d’ Alexander: locally known as Hanepoot -----Used for making fortified and non- fortified, white3 desert wines.

Sauvignon Blanc:

Chardonnay: used for varietal wines, and fizzy wines.

Red Wines:

Pinotage: South Africa’s own grape variety, invented in 1952, by Prof. Perold, a cross between, Pinot Noir and Cinsault.

Cabernet Sauvignon: sold as varietal or blended with Merlot.

 Syrah: Locally known as Shiraz.

Vintage takes place in April/ May. All vines planted are grafted on American root stock, in order to prevent, Phylloxera. Fine wines are made by Cuveé close tank method.Famous liqueur Van Der Hum, [what is his name] is made from tangerines. South African Sherries from dry – sweet are made as Spanish Sherries.

Wine Laws: KWV, [Ko-Operatieve Wijnbouwers Vereniging] , It is a South African Framer’s Association, founded in 1918 and is responsible of 90% of all wine productions.KWV also encourages and promotes planting of French vines like, Chenin Blanc, known as steen in South Africa and also advices on the production techniques and marketing. KWV comptely controls production, marketing and sale of Sulphur wines.

W. O. [the Wine of Origin System] , Seal put on the bottle’s neck which are certified by South African Wine and Spirit Board.

Wine regions:

Coastal Region, are Stellenbosch and Paarl, Constantia, Tulbagh, Durbanville, Ceres, Malmesbury.

Red wines, full bodied and Light wines come from Constantia district.

White wines are full bodied, higher in alcohol than their counter-parts, i.e.: European comes from Paar, Stellenbosch and Tulbagh districts.

Little Karoo: [known as little desert], produces well known African sherry and port type wines.

Breede river Valley Region: includes Worcester and Robertson.

Five major wholesale producers:

1.    Gilbeys

2.    Stellenbosch Farmers Winery

3.    Oude Meester group

4.    Douglas green of Paarl

5.    Union Wine Bellingham and Culemborg

         North Africa Algeria: Produces wine as much as Spain, since roman times. The production declined because of the Islamic region. Wine making re-established when it became a French colony.  

Wine is made by modern methods. Red wines are more famous than white wines.

Classification of Algerian wines:

Wines of Plain: From the department of Constantine and Alger, they are drunk in France alone or blended.

Hillside and Coastal wines: are dark and have high tannin content.

Mountain wines: are fruity. Strong in alcohol and varied in bouquet.

Red Wines: Carignan, Cinsault and Alicante Bouschėt wines.

Rosé Wines: Aramon, Cinsault and Grenache wines.

White wines: Ugni Blanc grapes from the Clairette de Provence.

                      E.g.: Coteau de mascara – red wine