220:
22:
500:
366:
562:
523:, who replanted the vineyards and rebuilt the cellars in an attempt to revive the reputation of the estate. He employed nearly 100 slaves and stationed them throughout the vineyard, charged with ensuring that not a single insect landed on the vines. It was Cloete's dedication (and later that of his son, also named Hendrik) that raised the prestige of the estate and led to its prompt discovery by the
747:
847:
notes that the history of the South
African wine industry in the 20th century shows how intimately wine mirrors social and political change. For much of the 20th century, the wine industry of South Africa received very little attention on the worldwide stage. Its isolation was further deepened by
832:
818:
for fortified wine production. While the activities of the KWV was able to stabilize the South
African industry, it also stagnated the industry by limiting innovation and improvements in quality. This stagnation was compounded by the isolation South Africa experienced during the
809:
By 1924, nearly 95% of all vineyard owners belonged to the KWV, allowing it to exert enormous power on the pricing structure and direction of the South
African wine industry. The KWV was able to regulate planting rights for new vineyard properties, specify permitted
856:. It wasn't till the late 1980s and 1990s when Apartheid was ended and the world's export market opened up that South African wines began to experience a renaissance. With a steep learning curve, many producers in South Africa quickly adopted new
880:. The reorganization of the powerful KWV co-operative into a private business further sparked innovation and improvement in quality. Vineyard owners and wineries that previously relied on the price-fixing structure to buy their excess grapes for
798:, the KWV soon grew in power and prominence until it was able to set policies and prices for the entire South African wine industry. To deal with the wine glut, the KWV restricted yields and set minimum prices that encouraged the production of
185:. The reorganization of the powerful KWV co-operative into a private business further sparked innovation and improvement in quality. Vineyard owners had previously relied on KWV's price-fixing structure, that bought their excess grapes for
686:
nearly 350 years earlier, securing a steady stream of wine for the
British market had been a pressing concern for the British. By this point the wines of Constantia had become world-renowned; enthusiastic patrons across the globe included
781:
effect. Some producers poured unsaleable wine into local rivers and streams. To compound matters the entire worldwide wine market was in the midst of a downturn, exacerbated by World War I. Depressed prices caused by this imbalance in
138:, the KWV soon grew in power and prominence, setting policies and prices for the entire South African wine industry. To deal with the wine glut the KWV restricted yields and set minimum prices, encouraging the production of
393:. Legend has it he named the estate after his wife, although her name was actually Johanna. Other theories are that the name derives from one of the Dutch East India Company ships or possibly in honor of the virtues of
336:
As production was small, the wine produced in the Cape settlement was initially intended solely for export to the trading port of
Batavia. Gradually the Dutch East India Company allowed freed Company employees or
464:
to enjoy international acclaim. The early tasting notes from
Batavia in 1692 remarked that the Cape wines of Constantia were the highest quality that had ever been exported there. In his 1705 work,
397:
and faithfulness. Van der Stel took a keen interest in the wine production of the Cape and recruited more French winemakers to the colony. Around his estate and vineyards he planted rows of
161:
was ended and the world's export market opened up that South
African wines began to experience a renaissance. With a steep learning curve, many producers in South Africa quickly adopted new
247:
explorers first encountered the Cape of Good Hope in the 15th century, they found little motivation to colonize the sparse and empty land around the Cape. In the early 17th century, the
456:
wine in dirty barrels. Van der Stel's dedication to quality soon garnered the wines of
Constantia – and by association the Cape – a reputation for quality across Europe. Wine expert
750:
Founded in the early 20th century to help stabilized the industry, the KWV with its headquarters in Paarl would eventually become a powerful force in the South
African wine industry
920:
263:
began looking for a logical midway point on the voyage to build a supply station that would serve the sailors making the voyage to and from Asia. In 1652, a Dutch surgeon named
341:, released from service to the company, to buy land and grow wine grapes for their own consumption. As the market for Cape wine grew, the Company brought in a winemaker from
711:. With easy access to the lucrative British market, the South African wine industry experienced a period of prosperity that would last until the middle of the 19th century.
791:
131:
907:(BEE) programs, black ownership and involvement in vineyards and wineries has been steadily increasing. In 1997, the first winery with significant black involvement,
437:
planted, including the Muscat Blanc Ă Petits Grains (which ranged in color from white to brown), Muscat of
Alexandria and a red Muscat variety that was most likely
333:, known variously as "Hanepoot", "Hanepop" and "Hanepoot Spanish". In 1659 the first South African wine made from French Muscadel grapes was successfully produced.
469:
908:
678:
Having consolidated their rule over South Africa in 1815, the British found a ready supply of wine now firmly within their control. Since losing control of the
903:
During the 21st century the growing influence of blacks in the wine industry brought a significant change in the South African wine industry. Through various
149:
For much of the 20th century, the wine industry of South Africa received very little attention on the worldwide stage. Its isolation was further deepened by
616:
Detail notes from visitors to the Constantia estate in the 18th century give evidence of the Dutch influence on South African winemaking. As they did for
565:
French Huguenots, who eventually settled in the Franschoek Valley, brought their winemaking and viticultural experience to the South African wine industry
865:
835:
The South African wine industry was isolated from the rest of the world until the end of Apartheid in the late 20th century, heralded by the election of
541:
included the wines of Constantia in the highest category of his expansive quality classification of the world's wine. Ranking it just below the wines of
170:
699:. American merchants gladly traded their slaves for the famous South African wine. The British public were greatly encouraged by a reduction in import
512:
648:
sweet wines; another technique pioneered by the Dutch. To keep an eye on the ongoing process of fermentation, Cape winemakers would listen near the
1196:
520:
305:
which negatively affected their ability to take root in the Cape's vineyards. During the following year a larger quantity of cuttings arrived from
80:
which proved lucrative for the wine industry as South African wine flowed into the British market. This prosperity lasted until the 1860s when the
381:
was appointed to succeed van Riebeeck as governor of the Cape Colony. Against Dutch East India Company regulations he orchestrated a deal for a
122:
effect which led some producers to pour their unsaleable wine into local rivers and streams. The depressed prices caused by this out-of-balance
1156:
983:
444:
Throughout the Cape, van der Stel set high standards for wine production. He issued official decrees that imposed a high penalty on growers
605:
experience from their homeland. The descendants of these settlers still play a vital role in the South African wine industry, marrying an
259:, grew to such a size that trading vessels were regularly dispatched on the long voyage from the Netherlands to Asia. The managers of the
524:
1191:
205:. By 2003 these proportions had reversed, with more than 70% of the grapes harvested that year reaching the consumer market as wine.
673:
77:
754:
Following the devastation of the phylloxera epidemic many growers gave up on winemaking, choosing instead to plant orchards and
718:
first appeared and quickly spread through the Cape. This was followed by a series of agreements made in 1860s (most notably the
515:
Klein Constantia continued to be a standard bearer for Cape wine. In the 1770s, Groot Constantia was sold to a businessman from
661:
900:. By 2003 the numbers had switched with more than 70% of the grapes harvested that year reaching the consumer market as wine.
1116:
189:. Now they had to shift their focus to quality wine production in order to compete. In 1990, less than 30% of all the grapes
85:
25:
The first wine produced in South Africa was made by Jan van Riebeeck at a settlement founded by the Dutch East India Company
389:
for a 750-hectare (1,900-acre) estate – a grant 15 times larger than the company's normal provision. He named this estate
219:
1139:
1083:
1046:
1015:
357:. A makeshift winery was built on the Company-owned farm of Rustenberg as the South African wine industry took root.
949:
944:
932:
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was used for wine production meant for the consumer market with the remaining 70% being discarded, distilled into
884:
had to shift their focus to quality wine production in order to compete. In 1990, less than 30% of all the grapes
214:
326:
714:
The mid 19th century brought a succession of calamities that crippled the South African wine industry. In 1859
738:
epidemic reached the Cape, causing widespread devastation that would take more than 20 years to recover from.
652:
of the wine barrel for noise and irritation in the barrel, described as sounding like the barrel was full of
853:
154:
21:
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719:
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81:
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were used for wine aimed at the consumer market, with the remaining 70% being discarded, distilled into
904:
656:. When the barrel was completely quiet and no longer making crab-like noises the wine would finally be
252:
586:
232:
814:, limit harvest yields, regulate production methods and impose quotas on how much wine needed to be
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72:, purchased a large 750-hectare (1,900-acre) estate, founding what later became the world-renowned
45:
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One of van Riebeeck's tasks include planting a vineyard, falsely believing the consumption of
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Following the death of Simon van der Stel in 1712 the estate was divided into three parts –
330:
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among sailors on long sea voyages. In 1654, the Dutch East India Company sent van Riebeeck
8:
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from abroad brought international influences and focus on well known varieties such as
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from abroad brought international influences and focus on well known varieties such as
93:
69:
32:
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noted that the red wines of Constantia were on the same scale of quality as the best
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became the first wholly black-owned winery in South Africa when it was purchased by
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777:. By the early 1900s more than 80 million vines had been replanted, creating a
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immigrant communities the Cape Governor, Simon van der Stel, eventually gave
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Between 1688 and 1690s the Cape Colony experienced an influx of French
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597:, known as the "French corner". The Huguenots brought with them their
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in the Wijnberg (Wine mountain Area); that could be used to ward off
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1154:
South Africa Reaches New Milestone: First Wholly Black-Owned Winery
688:
649:
527:, who had recently gained control over the Cape. In his 1816 work,
430:
53:
511:, Klein (Little) Constantia and Bergvliet. Under the ownership of
107:
in the late 19th century, many vineyards were replanted with high
831:
774:
759:
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115:
118:. By the early 1900s there was a large glut of wine, creating a
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139:
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57:
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581:. After initially forcing their integration among Dutch and
741:
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402:
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268:
40:) can be traced to the founding of a supply station at the
373:
brought world wine to South Africa for their Muscat wines.
826:
792:
Koöperatieve Wijnbouwers Vereniging van Zuid-Afrika Bpkt
640:
without increasing the alcohol level, similar to adding
132:
Koöperatieve Wijnbouwers Vereniging van Zuid-Afrika Bpkt
52:
was given the task of managing the station and planting
1041:
Third Edition pg 162-163 Oxford University Press 2006
208:
153:
of South African products in protest at the country's
852:
of South African produce in protest at the country's
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feather industry. The growers that did replant with
707:, which had enjoyed favorable duty rates due to the
703:
on South African wine to a third of that imposed on
76:
wine estate. In the 19th century, South Africa fell
1033:
1031:
1029:
1027:
1025:
1023:
730:which had benefited South African wine in favor of
551:"...among the finest liqueur wines of the world..."
433:(known as "Green Grape"). He also had a variety of
401:trees that would shield the vines from the strong
267:was commissioned with the task of building both a
64:for sailors continuing on their voyages along the
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1124:
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157:. It wasn't until the late 1980s and 1990s when
620:, the Dutch introduced the technique of adding
484:. He also went on to praise the quality of the
413:. Records show that van der Stel imported many
1121:
1088:
691:(who requested several cases for his exile on
301:. These vines were packaged in damp pieces of
609:philosophy to the technological advances of
286:produced from them is effective in avoiding
1111:, pp. 752–769, Ullmann Publishing, 2008
726:and France that reduced the preferential
360:
830:
745:
742:Wine lake effect and the rise of the KWV
636:. This allowed the wine to maintain its
560:
557:French and Dutch influence on winemaking
529:Topographie de Tous les Vignobles Connus
498:
364:
218:
20:
1197:History of the Dutch East India Company
968:Wines of the Cape by C.De Bosdari, 1955
573:, driven to leave France following the
1174:
827:Apartheid and emergence from isolation
794:(KWV) in 1918. Initially started as a
494:
460:has described Constantia as the first
134:(KWV) in 1918. Initially started as a
667:
466:Description of the Cape of Good Hope
88:and France reduced the preferential
1078:pg 236-242 Simon and Schuster 1989
1010:pg 442-448 Dorling Kindersley 2005
674:History of South Africa (1815–1910)
632:has been completely converted into
425:(known locally as "White French"),
209:Settlement of the Cape of Good Hope
103:Following the devastation from the
13:
417:to his estate, among them Spanish
68:. In 1685, another Cape Governor,
14:
1208:
1008:"The Sotheby's Wine Encyclopedia"
329:(known as "French Muscadel") and
1192:Economic history of South Africa
950:Economic history of South Africa
945:List of wineries in South Africa
933:Democratic Republic of the Congo
577:, which effectively revoked the
503:The Groot Constantia manor house
695:) and the restored French King
662:clarification and stabilization
215:History of Cape Colony Pre-1806
16:History of wine in South Africa
1144:
1039:"The Oxford Companion to Wine"
971:
962:
915:and was followed by Thandi in
864:technologies. The presence of
169:technologies. The presence of
1:
1134:p. 330 Mitchell Beazley 1986
977:South African History Online
955:
921:Mont Rochelle Mountain Winery
790:to fund the formation of the
130:to fund the formation of the
1165:Wine Spectator, 12 July 2001
618:the French centuries earlier
327:Muscat Blanc Ă Petits Grains
7:
938:
758:fields to feed the growing
10:
1213:
1076:Vintage: The Story of Wine
981:Jan van Riebeeck Biography
905:Black Economic Empowerment
671:
212:
1159:11 September 2004 at the
1132:Vines, Grapes & Wines
931:, a businessman from the
271:and farming community in
233:United East India Company
788:South African government
545:, Jullien described the
509:Groot (Great) Constantia
491:produced at the estate.
448:grapes before they were
369:The Cape wine estate of
261:Dutch East India Company
229:Dutch East India Company
128:South African government
46:Dutch East India Company
36:industry (also known as
720:Cobden–Chevalier Treaty
429:(Known as "Steen") and
325:. Among these were the
82:Cobden–Chevalier Treaty
992:Accessed: 24 June 2009
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734:exports. In 1866, the
575:Edict of Fontainebleau
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361:Founding of Constantia
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26:
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644:in the production of
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126:dynamic prompted the
86:Palmerston government
24:
724:Gladstone government
607:Old World winemaking
331:Muscat of Alexandria
56:to produce wine and
986:3 June 2011 at the
854:system of Apartheid
495:Decline and revival
470:Françcois Valentijn
468:, the Dutch writer
155:system of Apartheid
105:phylloxera epidemic
1182:South African wine
925:Franschhoek Valley
874:Cabernet Sauvignon
841:
752:
668:Under British rule
567:
505:
379:Simon van der Stel
375:
237:
179:Cabernet Sauvignon
94:South African wine
78:under British rule
70:Simon van der Stel
33:South African wine
27:
1117:978-3-8331-4611-4
1037:J. Robinson (ed)
866:flying winemakers
784:supply and demand
549:of Constantia as
255:, in what is now
171:flying winemakers
124:supply and demand
42:Cape of Good Hope
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697:Louis-Philippe I
478:Lachryma Christi
355:oak wine barrels
349:equipment and a
265:Jan van Riebeeck
251:trading port of
50:Jan van Riebeeck
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804:fortified wines
771:grape varieties
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705:Portuguese wine
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628:before all the
593:in what is now
579:Edict of Nantes
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513:Johannes Colijn
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415:grape varieties
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241:Bartolomeu Dias
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92:that benefited
31:history of the
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709:Methuen Treaty
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630:residual sugar
611:New World wine
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521:Hendrik Cloete
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462:New World wine
439:Muscat Hamburg
387:Table Mountain
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311:Canary Islands
223:Replica of an
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84:signed by the
38:New World wine
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858:viticultural
843:Wine expert
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626:fermentation
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587:the settlers
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547:dessert wine
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517:Stellenbosch
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486:Chenin blanc
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458:Hugh Johnson
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427:Chenin blanc
399:European oak
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339:vrijburghers
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199:table grapes
187:distillation
163:viticultural
148:
136:co-operative
102:
96:in favor of
30:
28:
18:
1074:H. Johnson
892:or sold as
766:chose high-
732:French wine
599:viticulture
595:Franschhoek
411:Cape Doctor
345:along with
197:or sold as
98:French wine
66:spice route
1176:Categories
1150:M. Minnar
956:References
919:. In 2001
878:Chardonnay
862:winemaking
764:grapevines
736:phylloxera
672:See also:
603:winemaking
591:Boschendal
589:land near
536:oenologist
454:fermenting
446:harvesting
391:Constantia
383:land grant
371:Constantia
347:winemaking
245:Portuguese
243:and other
213:See also:
183:Chardonnay
167:winemaking
74:Constantia
29:The early
886:harvested
821:Apartheid
816:distilled
779:wine lake
693:St-Helena
680:Aquitaine
646:fortified
638:sweetness
571:Huguenots
395:constancy
303:sailcloth
297:from the
292:grapevine
257:Indonesia
191:harvested
159:Apartheid
120:wine lake
100:exports.
54:vineyards
1157:Archived
984:Archived
939:See also
850:boycotts
773:such as
768:yielding
689:Napoleon
684:Bordeaux
650:bunghole
624:to halt
489:Steenwyn
431:Semillon
423:Palomino
377:In 1679
353:to make
299:Rheingau
295:cuttings
282:and the
273:the Cape
151:boycotts
114:such as
109:yielding
923:in the
775:Cinsaut
760:ostrich
756:alfalfa
728:tariffs
634:alcohol
622:sulphur
525:British
319:Germany
307:Bohemia
253:Batavia
227:of the
116:Cinsaut
90:tariffs
44:by the
1138:
1115:
1082:
1045:
1014:
890:brandy
870:Shiraz
800:brandy
716:oidium
658:racked
642:brandy
583:German
533:French
531:, the
519:named
421:grape
419:Sherry
351:cooper
343:Alsace
315:France
309:, the
288:scurvy
280:grapes
235:(VOC).
195:brandy
175:Shiraz
140:brandy
62:scurvy
58:grapes
917:Elgin
913:Paarl
898:juice
823:era.
654:crabs
543:Tokay
482:Italy
480:from
407:force
385:near
323:Spain
249:Dutch
239:When
203:juice
1136:ISBN
1113:ISBN
1109:Wine
1080:ISBN
1043:ISBN
1012:ISBN
896:and
876:and
860:and
802:and
701:duty
682:and
660:for
601:and
450:ripe
403:gale
321:and
284:wine
269:fort
201:and
181:and
165:and
142:and
476:or
452:or
1178::
1123:^
1090:^
1053:^
1022:^
997:^
935:.
872:,
806:.
664:.
613:.
553:.
441:.
317:,
313:,
275:.
177:,
146:.
48:.
1163:"
1152:"
990:"
979:"
839:.
405:–
231:/
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