1955 The U K B G Guide to Drinks (2nd edition revised)

BRITISH EMPIRE WINES

SOUTH AFRICA The wine industry in South Africa, or should we say within the borders of the Union of South Africa, is on a very limited scale. There is far greater activity in the Cape Province where the industry really takes on a great and real importance and where the scale is of sufficient importance to justify a growing export demand. The most famous South African vineyards are those nearest to Cape Town and also near Wynberg, which produced the famous wines of Constantia, which were so popular during the early half of the 19th century. Wine is still made on a large scale at Wynberg. At"Groot" Constantia itself, which is South African Government property, and adjoining vineyards. The finest stretch of vineyards is further inland, from French Koek to Wellington, along the Paarl Valley and in the Stellenbusch district close Further inland still, at Worcester, Robertson, Montague, Ladysmith and Oudtschoorn, larger quantities of wine are obtained from grapes grown on richer soil, but the wine is of inferior quality. South Africa can and does produce a very large quantity of different wines, some very sour, dry beverage wines, both red and white, and some palatable sweet fortified wines, as well as sparkling wine and a good deal of brandv.

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