Similarly, cooler, high-elevation vineyard sites throughout South Africa offer similar, favorable growing conditions. But the Benguela Current from Antarctica provides brisk ocean breezes necessary for steady ripening of grapes. Wine production is mainly situated around Cape Town, where the climate is generally warm to hot. Today, however, South Africa is increasingly responsible for high-demand, high-quality wines-a blessing to put the country back on the international wine map. Since then, the South African wine industry has experienced some setbacks due to the phylloxera infestation of the late 1800s and political difficulties throughout the following century.
The country has a particularly long and rich history with winemaking, especially considering its status as part of the “New World.” In the mid-17th century, the lusciously sweet dessert wines of Constantia were highly prized by the European aristocracy. With an important wine renaissance in full swing, impressive red and white bargains abound in South Africa.
