South african Harvest 2008 (go back »)

South Africa is increasingly making better wines which usually represent good value for money at all levels on the quality scale. Although South Africa is classed as a 'new world' region, wines it produces are often nicely positioned between the new world and old world styles. Look out for reds from South Africa's 'own' variety, Pinotage, which makes striking gamey and earthy-tasting wines, often with a savoury, cheesy edge to them. The most famous regions are Stellenbosch, Paarl and Constantia, although cooler regions such as Walker Bay are beginning to attract attention.
South African wine has returned to the world arena with significant impact, growing from some 50-million litres exported that year to topping 139-million in 2000, representing more than 25% of good wine production.

Cape wine is reaching even more consumers in more countries. According to the latest figures from the generic exporter association Wosa, or Wines of South Africa, international sales for 2001 increased 17.8% compared with 2000, despite the global recession.
Internationally, the industry is small, ranking 16th with about 1.5% of global plantings, but production, at seventh position, accounts for 3% of the world's wine.

As in most established wine-producing countries, new plantings are taking place at a pace and new varieties of wine grapes as well as new regions are being explored as the country finds itself at the frontline of modern market requirements.

Of the 105 566 hectares under wine grapevines (compared with 98 203 hectares in 1997), according to the latest official statistics, 21.38% is chenin blanc - by far still the country's most widely planted variety. Sultana (11.28%), a grape that is also used for non-alcohol purposes, is next, followed by colombard and chardonnay.
Cabernet sauvignon comprises the majority of red varieties (a mere 8.36% of total vineyard plantings) in present vineyards, followed by pinotage and shiraz.
White varieties still represent more than two-thirds of the total, but this has moved from an imbalance of 15% red and 85% white in 1990. In 2000 more than 80% of all new plantings were red, with shiraz, cabernet and merlot at the top of the list. At the same time, 87% of all vines uprooted were white, mostly chenin blanc, white French and colombard.
There is a shift from chardonnay to sauvignon blanc, a varietal which lends itself to a larger range of styles and quality levels.
The South African wine industry looks set to have yet another good year ahead. Harvest estimations show that 2008 will be, for the third consecutive year, unexpectedly prosperous.
The 2008 harvest is three quarters complete. Some areas in the Western Cape have had problems due to too much rain, however, a yield of over 1.3 million tons is expected.

Two consecutive drought years in Italy and Australia have created several opportunities for the local market. South African wines are doing well, especially in the middle and high price categories.
Exports are 16% up from last year, and unexpected new markets have the local winemakers excited.

Inset costs, however, increase sharply every year. This, combined with rising petrol prices, make it harder for the industry to sustain growth. But with the current weak rand and the high demand for local wines, many farmers are still assured of a profit.
So get ready for a wonderful year ahead of South African wine 2008.
View video of a South African Harvest 2008

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