Fleur du Cap Pinotage (2006)Considering the different areas of the world that make up "new world" wine production, Africa might not necessarily come to mind. However, wine has been an important industry there since at least the mid 1600s. Laws regulating wine produced in a specific region were not set however until 1973, when the Wine of Origin system was introduced. Similar to other countries' controlled appellation laws, the WO requires that wines must use only grapes from one region to be labeled under the area's name. Also, an expansion of investment in the South African wine industry has been fostered by increased international exposure.
Bergkelder
Pinotage
Coastal, South Africa
Most wine production is centered around Cape Town, with Stellenbosch and Paarl being two of the most active regions. With a climate similar to that of the Mediteranean, vineyards are exposed to hot, dry summers and cool, dry winters. This makes a perfect environment for growing many European varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay. In addition to these, South Africa is home to a grape called Pinotage, which originated as a hybrid of Pinot Noir and Cinsault, referred to as Hermitage locally. The name thus is a portmanteau of Pinot and Hermitage - similar to how Americans produce Bordeaux style blends under the term Meritage, derived from Merit and Heritage.
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