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BRITISH EMPIRE WINES
for the benefit of demobilized soldiers, with the result that
in 1926 there were 120,000 acres of vineyards producing
an average of 14 million gallons of wine. From figures
supplied during 1945 by the Australian Wine Board the
area of the vineyards and their wine output had not in
creased much over 1940.
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 e.xport 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 I9th 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 Hoek to Wellington, along the Paarl Valley and
in the Stellenbusch district close by. 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 brandy.
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