South Africa

There is no shortage of technical skill in South Africa. It boasts a wide range of climatic conditions perfect for making all styles of fine wine and there has been plenty of investment. Yet until relatively recently, many of the whites were quite dull, often with too much residual sugar, whilst many of the reds carried a certain earthy, dusty taste. Most of the problems were a hangover from the apartheid era, which had left much of the vineyard area diseased and an industry not sure what it wanted to be. Happily each passing vintage is producing more and more examples of how good South African wine can be. At its best it offers the ripeness of the new world, with the elegance and structure of the old and all at very reasonable prices. New areas are being developed and with a spirit of constant experimentation and a dedication to quality, the trajectory of the industry is very firmly upward.