South Africa’s winemakers continue to bring some of the world’s greatest produce to consumers around the globe, despite many ongoing issues in the country which have not made things easy for business.
A serious drought in 2018, political and economic turmoil, issues with water and power distribution, ongoing challenges with an unsteady exchange rate, and the latest threat – land expropriation without compensation – have all made things difficult for the country’s vineyards.
The drought has caused stocks to dwindle and, as we all know, when supply drops prices rise. Locally, prices are likely to shoot up in the very near future, and prices for international buyers are also expected to rise. But many wine companies have been undercharging for some time, so this increase comes as a sort of ‘balancing’ in the industry.
This year saw the smallest grape harvest since 2005 with bunches smaller, lighter and less dense than in the past. This is a problem and is largely credited to the drought that decimated agricultural crops in the country’s Western Cape province, the heart of South Africa’s wine industry.
Then there’s the land issue – President Cyril Ramaphosa, a man largely thought to be a business-friendly leader, is yet to provide clarity of the topic of land expropriation without compensation – where some farmers could see their land seized by the government and given to local communities to run. This has caused uncertainty in the industry and investment has slowed.
But, despite this sour backdrop, the wine coming from the vineyards remains fantastic. The skill and ingenuity of the winemakers is clear for the world to see. Pinotage and Chenin Blanc – South Africa’s famous varieties – are now backed by world-class Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc and outstanding Bordeaux-style blends.
In this edition of Wine & Spirit Review we take in some of the country’s best, and we advise on quality of taste rather than price, reputation or exclusivity.
Look out for The Goose Expression, from pro golf star Retief Goosen, Villa Esposto Pinotage, and Babylonstoren Chardonnay.