Helderberg Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Tasty new wine from M&S
Wines of the New South Africa, by Tim James
South Africa has long held the viticultural position of being ‘the old world in the new world’. In this book the author traces the roots of this new world country with the oldest of histories of winemaking, stretching back more than 350 years.
A watershed moment in sustainable global viticulture
As it becomes more recognised that water is the new gold, stewardship programmes for water management are being created to develop systems of sustainable river basin management, considering issues such as water risk, availability, quantity, quality, and fair-share usage.
Sustainability seal for South Africa
The key initiatives, in terms of moving a little further along the path of sustainability in South Africa, are the IPW (Integrated Production of Wine) and BWI (Biodiversity and Wine Initiative), and a new one, SWSA (Sustainable Wine South Africa).
South African model of cooler climate
Understanding the cooler aspects of the South African climate is complicated. South Africa’s climate is undoubtedly warm Mediterranean and hot continental. But there are a number of cooling influences, most notably from both proximitous oceans, and high up at altitudes of 1,000m and more.
South African shiraz
Shiraz plantings have increased from 2% of the vineyard area just over a decade ago, to 10% today. It is now the fourth most planted variety in South Africa.
Coasts and cuisine in South African currents
The South African wine industry may be 350 years old, but it’s the freshness of the last decade that’s getting folk excited as producers carve out a new coastal identity for the 21st century.
South African sauvignon blanc
South Africa’s vineyards are moving towards both the Atlantic and Indian Ocean coasts, and the variety mainly being planted in these cooler regions is sauvignon blanc.
Cap Classique – Quality Commitment Standard
The Cap Classique Producers’ Association charter for quality lists the commitments members of the association agree to abide by.
Cap Classique – South Africa's premium bubbly
A tiny fraction of South Africa’s wine production is traditional method sparkling – called Cap Classique to differentiate it from other types of bubbly, and to communicate it’s been made using the same method that Champagne is made.
