WINES OF SOUTH AFRICA

Clarke Domaines Ott* Internation, Jim

ISBN 10: 1913141586 / ISBN 13: 9781913141585

Published by Academie du Vin Library Ltd, 2024

Seller Inventory # NWUS9781913141585

Synopsis:

• Most up-to-date analysis of South African wine
• Author is an industry insider and acknowledged expert on the wines of South Africa
• Author was named Domaines Ott* International Feature Writer Of The Year 2020 at the Louis Roederer Awards
• Part of The Classic Wine Library, a highly respected series for serious wine enthusiasts and students

South Africa is the eighth largest wine-producer in the world, and its wine industry is among the oldest of the New World. Today it is one of the globe’s most dynamic industries, compact but diverse. In the past decade, a new generation of winemakers has breathed new life into centuries-old estates and new, boutique brands alike.

The Wines of South Africa is in four sections. The first introduces readers to the history of South African wine, beginning with the arrival of the Dutch and the establishment of what would become Cape Town. The second section analyses South Africa’s industry today. It pinpoints the geological, geographical, and climatic conditions that create the parameters and potential of South African wine. It describes the major grape varieties and wine styles and outlines the broad range of wines being produced. It shows the current infrastructure of the industry, significant regulatory matters, and South Africa’s place in export markets.

This section also includes a general overview of wine tourism in South Africa. The third section inspects the challenges the industry faces, focusing on the three largest: profitability and the loss of vineyards as farmers switch to higher-margin orchards; environmental concerns, the effects of climate change, and water conservation; and the legacy of apartheid and continued imbalances in the socioeconomic structure of the Western Cape, including land redistribution, black economic empowerment initiatives designed to create a new generation of black business owners, and efforts to create a skilled, better-paid black workforce within the industry. The last section familiarizes readers with the major growing areas of South Africa and the most important producers operating in each one. It opens with a description of the Wine of Origin system, which designates three tiers of major appellations: Regions, Districts and Wards. Descriptions of individual regions and the producers based within each of them follow.

A glossary explains important terms that are specific to the South African wine industry.

About the Author: Jim Clarke has commented on wine for more than twelve years in the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, World of Fine Wine, and NPR. He was a sommelier and wine director in New York City for several years. He specialises in the wines of South Africa, and since 2013 has been the U.S. Marketing Manager for Wines of South Africa.

Bibliographic Details

Title: WINES OF SOUTH AFRICA
Publisher: Academie du Vin Library Ltd
Publication Date: 2024
Binding: Soft cover
Condition: NEW