Page 70 - Grapevine SeptOct 2021

International News

Stellenbosch University’s department of viticulture produce the be-loved Pinotage. The exclusive Black
is at the forefront of avantgarde and experimen- Label Pinotage, made from a plot planted in the
tal ways of producing wine. The World Wide Fund early 1950s, has a graceful aging period of 30 years.
for Nature movement exemplifies an agreed-up- Other wines produced in the illustrious wineries in
on con-servation ideal among South African wine this region are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chemin Blanc,
farmers. The aim is to maintain and nurture the Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Semillon and
Cape Wineland’s natural habitat. Along with an Chardonnay.
accommodating climate that favors a vast array of
grapes which benefit greatly from the proximity of The South African wine route may lead you to
the Indian and Atlantic oceans cool winds, sustain- Paarl, situated on the low lying slopes of Paarl
ability and affordable wine prices allow a firm place Rock. Since it is more inland from Cape Town, the
in the market. South Africa ranks eighth in the temperatures here are warmer. The terroir of this
world as a wine producer with over 560 Western region provides for more opportunities in wine
Cape wineries and over 200,000 acres of grapes cultivation. One would not think that some of the
planted. prestigious wines in this country flourish in vine-
yards high up on the mountains. The beginning
Wards that Lead the Way of wine in this region is at-tributed to the French
Huguenots who settled and planted grapevines and
Each wine region, also known as wards, has orchards in the late 17th century. Full bodied, dec-
unique characteristics. Stellenbosch is where wine adent fruit reds and tropical notes in white wines
revelers can find South Africa’s most recognized can be found here due to the robust grape variet-
and prestigious wine estates. One fifth of the coun- ies.
try’s vines are planted here. This is where a perfect
blend of Cinsaut and Pinot Noir comes together to Once a wheat producing region, Swartland is

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