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This is a wonderful book about the South African wine industry. A MUST HAVE.
A fascinating exploration of one of the prime wine-growing regions in the world .... |
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BOOK
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WINES of SOUTH AFRICA |
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| Exploring the Cape Winelands |
| The magnificent photographs of landscapes, vineyards, wine cellars, winemakers, and the informative text of this comprehensive book, provides a broad overview of winemaking in South Africa. Capturing the spirit and tradition of the country's winemaking industry, the book is both a visually striking photographic portfolio of the Cape's winelands and a tribute to South Africa's winemakers and the fine wines that so many of them are producing today. |
... introduces the topography, climate and soils of the Western Cape, revealing the area's great natural endowment for growing grapes and making fine wines.
... describes the history of winemaking in South Africa, from the earliest planting of vines in the seventeenth century to the major developments since the country's emergence from political and economic isolation in the 1990's. |
... examines the evolving preferences for different grape varieties and wine styles; the grape varieties most commonly planted in South Africa; the typical seasonal activities on Cape wine farms between harvests; and recent developments aimed at the empowerment of workers on wine farms.
... describes the critical operation of harvesting the grapes and extracting the juice. |
... focuses on 25 of South Africa's award winning winemakers, who candidly reveal their winemaking techniques and philosophies. The making of dessert and fortified wines is also featured.
... takes a close look at the various wine producing areas of the south-western and southern Cape, their climates and topography, and the distinctive wines that have become associated with them. |
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CONTRIBUTOR & FORWARD BY ZELMA LONG .....
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The political changes in South Africa since 1994 have provided Cape winemakers with the opportunity to prove their worth to the world at large.
The wine lands of the Cape are pulsating with energy and activity as never before: new vineyards are being planted, new cellars are opening each year, and the latest developments in winemaking technology are being put into practice. There is a vibrant spirit of enterprise, in which innovation and tradition are combining to produce world-class wines. |
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Graham Knox's informative and carefully woven text begins by guiding the reader to an understanding of the geographical and environmental conditions that create the Cape's unique natural endowment for growing grapes for fine wines. The history of winemaking in South Africa, from the earliest planting of vines in the seventeenth century to the major developments since the country's emergence from political and economic isolation in the 1990s, is described, followed by a discussion of the grape varieties most commonly planted in South Africa, the typical seasonal activities on Cape wine farms between harvests, the critical operation of harvesting the grapes and extracting the juice, and recent initiatives aimed at the empowerment of workers on wine farms.
A large part of the book focuses on 25 of South Africa's award-winning winemakers - who candidly reveal their winemaking techniques and philosophies - and on 16 wine-producing areas in the south-western Cape, their climates and topography, and the distinctive wines that have become associated with them. The book includes a map of each of these areas, and an appendix of information for visitors containing details of selected wine farms within easy driving distance of Cape Town that are open to the public for wine tasting and sales. Wines of South Africa is a fascinating exploration of one of the prime wine-growing regions of the world, where the splendor of the landscape is a perfect foil to man's creative collaboration with nature. |
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THE AUTHOR .....
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Graham Knox came to South Africa from Australia in 1971 and immediately immersed himself in the Cape wine industry, getting to know the farms, their winemakers and their produce. He has been operating a wine marketing consultancy for many years and is the owner of a farm near Wellington that produces wine under the Siyabonga label. In 1976 he wrote the classic work Estate Wines of South Africa, which was revised and updated in 1982, and in 1997 he was the author of the popular publication Cape Wines: Body & Soul. | |||
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THE PHOTOGRAPHER .....
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Alain Proust, a highly respected photographer based in Cape Town, has long been interested in wines and winemaking. He finds the natural beauty of the Cape winelands appealing and his photographs reflect the region's many moods and seasons. His talent for capturing style and atmosphere has been demonstrated in many highly acclaimed books, including Colonial Houses of South Africa, Portrait of Cape Town, Nederburg: The First Two Hundred Years, Cape Wines: Body & Soul, Groote Schuur: Great Granary to Stately Home and, Cape Dutch Houses. | |||
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.. ORDERING ..
1.866.656.5379 wendygers@africantradingco.com |
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African Trading Company 5933 E Sandra Terrace Scottsdale, AZ 85254 tel: (602) 569-8157 fax: (602) 493-8823 USA email: wendygers@africantradingco.com |
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Copyright © 1997 to 2007 Simon Gers, African Trading Co.All rights reserved. |
