Wine in the Rainbow State 5 Oceans Exporters have put together an outstanding portfolio of South African wines which are available for export. One has to appreciate the beauty of the Cape as well as 345 years of wine expertise that South Africa has behind it. Our wines are of good quality due to the stricter selection programs that have been in place since South Africa introduced their Vine Improvement Programme (V.I.P.) throughout the industry.

Clonal selection and rootstock improvement have been at the core of this drive. The country's vineyards have been revitalised and the wines have a much richer varietal character than when Nelson Mandela first emerged from his long incarceration and sanctions were lifted. A South African wine industry that was 10 years behind at that time, is now in the forefront of viticultural excellence! The quality of South African wines has blossomed since this country became the rainbow state. By embracing a multiracial democracy, South Africa has opened up world markets that have been hungry for the next flavour of the month.. The revenue received has funded the production of better wines. At first, better quality meant stricter selection and where appropriate, a massive investment in new oak, but a significant part of the incoming funds was ploughed into the V.I.P. programme. The scheme has developed around the clonal selection, rootstock development and a two phase analysis of the suitability of terroirs. This programme has essentially re-vitalised the country's vineyards. The new wines are richer in varietal character and have greater complexity than ever before with South Africa right at the forefront in the world in viticultural research! In past years Stellenbosch and Paarl were regarded as South Africa's premier wine growing areas. We represent some top performing vineyards from these environs and have cleverly gone to a number of other regions where we have managed to extend our range and offer single-vineyard wines of superb quality. Virtually all of South Africa's vineyards are currently located within a 160 km (100 mile) sweep of Cape Town. Wherever we go we are welcomed with open arms.

History

The Cape of Good Hope was first settled by Europeans in 1652 when the Dutch East India Company set up a victualling station and repair depot for their merchant ships journeying the long passage between Europe, India and the Far East. Jan van Riebeeck, the first Commander of the Cape who had previously been a ship's surgeon, persuaded his employers that the Mediterranean climate of the Cape would be perfect for growing grapes and that wine would be beneficial for the treatment of scurvy. The first vineyard was planted in 1655 and on 2 February 1659, Jan van Riebeeck's diary records the following: " Vandag, prijs de Heren, was wijn vir de eerste keer van Kaapse druiwen gedruk" or "Today, praise be to God, wine was pressed from Cape grapes for the first time".

In 1679, a new Governor, Simon van der Stel was appointed in the Cape and he actively encouraged the new 'free burghers' to plant more vines. He complained about the "revolting sourness" of the wines and soon started his own vineyards at Constantia. Later they became famed for their sweet taste. Constantia wines were greatly sought after in the 18th century.

1688 saw the arrival of Huguenot refugees from France, escaping religious persecution. Their first-hand knowledge of growing vines and making wine, undoubtedly assisted successful development of this fledgling industry. They originally settled in Franschhoek which to this day has a unique French flavour. By the early 1700's their wines were starting to be held in high esteem.

In 1806 the British occupied the Cape and, cut off from their supply of French wines, they began exporting South African wines to all corners of their Empire. By 1859 Cape wines to Britain alone had reached 45 000 hectolitres (1 000 000 gallons). However Gladstone secretly negotiated a treaty with the French. This had a devastating effect on the Cape wine industry. By 1865 it had declined to 4 200 hectolitres. Despite this setback to the wine trade, production continued at the same pace. This was because the Gold and Diamond fields had attracted thousands of immigrants with sudden wealth. After the Boer War, production went on at the same rate and un-saleable wine continued to be made.

Co-operatives were established. A decision was made to distil half of the country's wine production into brandy. This immediately and effective improved the quality of the Cape's wines. A policy of blending the rest of the surplus into marketable export products did no less than save the South African wine industry. New areas and better wines have continued this trend.

The industry today

South Africa has 103,325 hectares under vine and about 60% of the crop goes into wine production. The remainder goes into quality brandy, distilling wine and grape juice concentrate. There are 304 major vineyards in the Cape. All in all there are some 4,700 individual grape growers who work within the following industry structure:

• Estate wineries - who can make wine only from grapes grown on their land. (78 approximately in number)
• Independent cellars - who make wine from grapes grown on their land but can also buy in both grapes and wine to bottle under brand names. (150 approximately in number)
• Wholesalers - who make wine from grapes grown on their land but can also buy in both grapes and wine to bottle under brand names. (4 in number)
• Co-operatives - who process the grapes of their grape farmer members into wine. (70 in number)

Today South African wines are flourishing throughout the world. In the year 2000, UK bottled wine sales have increased by 26%, whilst in Germany wines are 39% up. Encouraging trends have emerged in Scandanavia, the USA and in Japan. The former consume about the same amount of South African wine as Germany (7,5 million litres).

Over the past few years whites have grown by 41% and red sales by 46%. Further examples show that South African wine sales are steadily growing in Finland with 76% growth in the 1999 - 2000 period. This puts South Africa in 7th place in that country. Statistics from Denmark show that South Africa had a 3% market share in 2000 and was showing good growth. In Sweden South Africa moved from #9 to #8 in 2000, increasing market share from 3,3% to 4%. It is anticipated that this figure will rise to 5% by tear end. An update from the UK Customs and Excise figures show that South African cumulative sales are up 39% in volume on the same period a year ago. The UK is South Africa's biggest market at present.

South African wine exports are well positioned to continue growing.

Wine regions

In 1973, South Africa's winelands were divided into a series of official regions, districts and wards. Most of the main vineyard areas are in the Western Cape and lie within a relatively concentrated area no further inland than 100 miles from Cape Town. The drier and hotter Klein Karoo, Olifants River and lower Orange River regions lie further afield to the east and north and do not benefit from the same Mediterranean climate. Constantia The Constantia vineyards lie on the east facing slopes of the narrow Constantia peninsular located south of Cape Town. Summer cooled by south-easters from False Bay. A premier league viticultural area focussed on fine wine production. There are just five wine cellars here and the cool maritime climate ensures the production of top quality wines amongst which some of South Africa's finest Sauvignon Blancs.

Franschhoek

The Franschhoek valley is officially part of the Paarl region but due to its location in an inland valley with mountains rising steeply on both sides south of Paarl and to the east of Stellenbosch, it has a somewhat more varied climate. Originally the base for most of the French Huguenot settlers (Franschhoek = French Corner), most of the farms and wine estates have French sounding names. This is an area which has graduated from 'run-of-the-mill' production to wines of considerable quality in recent years. Millionaire's playground.

At Franschhoek the Great Wines party were most impressed with the quaintness and "Frenchness" of all the estates that they visited. The buildings and vineyards were all backed by a panorama of magnificent, rugged mountain scenery.

Olifants River

The Olifants River region, extending northwards from Swartland, incorporates the two centres of Citrusdal and Vredendal. Vredendal is located some 300 kms from Cape Town.

This is a dry region where irrigation is essential yet maritime influences from the Atlantic can reduce night-time temperatures quite dramatically. It is for this reason that quality can be assured from these areas.

Production is co-operative dominated and one winery alone crushes more grapes than the whole of New Zealand in one harvest.

Paarl

Paarl and nearby Wellington lie further inland from Stellenbosch, yet still no further than 40 miles from Cape Town. Paarl is home to the extensive wineries, offices, research and development stations of the KWV and the town is dominated by the Paarl mountain to the east from where it got its name - the monolith rock appears as if 'a black pearl' after a shower of rain.

Warmer and driver than Stellenbosch, the land is flatter and is home to a number of prestigious individual producers and some of South Africa's larger and most progressive co-operatives. Has many different meso-climates, soils and aspects - thus succeeding with a wide variety of styles/varieties.

Robertson

Robertson lies further down the Breede River valley from Worcester and has established itself as a prime wine-producing region in recent years. This is largely due to its limestone soils which are ideal in particular for Chardonnay but are illustrating great potential also for Cabernet Sauvignon and other noble varieties.

Day time temperatures can be extremely hot but dramatic reductions of tempertaure at night due to maritime influences permit elegance in such tender, so-called "cool climate" varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling. Rainfall in this perfect climate is low but availability of water from the reservoirs in the Du Toitskloof mountains is plentiful for irrigation when necessary.

The region, once dominated by supply of grapes to local co-operatives and wholesalers, is growing apace with individual producers. Known as the valley of "wine and roses" it is traditionally white wine country. There are flashes of red wine brilliance, however.

Stellenbosch

The picturesque town of Stellenbosch is the hub of South Africa's wine industry and rich with history. There are many diverse microclimates and sub-regions, Bottelary to name one- and is home to a large number of well respected producers.

Lying about 50 kilometers north-east of Cape Town, the scenery around Stellenbosch is stunning, dramatic and beautiful. The town is encased by mountains to the east and rolling hills to the north and west. The region remains green throughout the summer and irrigation is seldom necessary. Breezes off False Bay help moderate summer temperatures.

Stellenbosch is widely planted with the top varieties of grapes, such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Shiraz and Chenin Blanc. Marvellous Pinotage is also made there. The red wine producing area in South Africa.

This is a picturesque and historic university town.

Swartland This unique region lies to the north-west of Paarl and Stellenbosch. It derives it's name from the black, rich soils that predominate in the area. Here the climate is dry and often hot, yet the vines in the area are seldom irrigated. The combination of minimal but sufficient water and rich fertile soils permits the vines, which are traditionally grown in the old "bush style", to achieve moderate to low yields of very high quality grapes. The area is dominated by the most progressive co-operatives in South Africa and boasts an unusually high proportion of varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon alongside widely planted Chenin Blanc. Superb Pinotage also comes from the region. Traditionally associated with big, booming reds. Also top-table whites.

Worcester

There are two ways of getting to Worcester - one via a scenic mountain pass where baboons are an entertaining feature and the other through the modern 4,5 km Hugenot Tunnel! This region lies around the upper regions of the Breede River valley. It is subject to low rainfall but water is plentiful owing to successful reservoir projects in the mountains. These enable irrigation when necessary.

Worcester is a vital region that contributes a fifth of South Africa's total grape production and is the colossus of South African winedom with 60 million vines. Production is mainly for brandy. Today, an increasing volume is used for wine, mainly from Chenin Blanc. Plantings of the noble variety, Chardonnay has lately increased in dramatic proportions.

Climate

The climate of the South Western Cape is cooler than its position 35 south of the Equator might suggest. Situated at the confluence of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, temperatures are moderated by the cold Benguela current flowing northwards up the west coast of Africa from Antarctica. These factors provide a Mediterranean climate with 450 - 1000 mm annual rainfall occurring mainly between May and August, warm rather than hot summers and mild winters with very rare incidence of frost. The mountainous terrain, the proximity of the ocean and other factors offer many different mesoclimates.