Sought after by European aristocrats and a favorite of Napoleon Bonaparte, the sweet wines of Constantia in the Cape Colony were considered to be among the worldÕs best during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. During the first democratic elections in 1994, South Africa began to re-emerge onto the international wine scene. Tim James, an expert on South African wines, takes the reader on an information-packed tour of the region, showing us how and why the unique combination of terroir and climate, together with dramatic improvements in winemaking techniques, result in wines that are once again winning accolades. James describes important grape varieties and wine stylesÑfrom delicate sparkling, to rich fortified, and everything in betweenÑincluding the varietal blends that produce some of the finest Cape wines. Anchoring his narrative in a rich historical context, James discusses all the major wine regions, from Cederberg to Walker Bay, complete with profiles of more than 150 of the countryÕs finest producers.

South Africa is the eighth largest wine-producer in the world and its wine industry is among the oldest of the New World. Today it is one of the globe's most dynamic industries, compact but diverse. In the past decade a new generation of winemakers has breathed new life into centuries-old estates and new, boutique brands alike. The wines of South Africa is in four sections. The first introduces readers to the history of South African wine, beginning with the arrival of the Dutch and the establishment of what would become Cape Town. The second section analyzes South Africa's industry today. It pinpoints the geological, geographical, and climatic conditions that create the parameters and potential of South African wine. It describes the major grape varieties and wine styles and outlines the broad range of wines being produced. It shows the current infrastructure of the industry, significant regulatory matters, and South Africa's place in export markets. It also includes a general overview of wine tourism in South Africa.The third section inspects the challenges the industry faces, focusing on the three largest: profitability and the loss of vineyards as farmers switch to higher-margin orchards; environmental concerns, the effects of climate change, and water conservation; and the legacy of apartheid and continued imbalances in the socioeconomic structure of the Western Cape, including land redistribution, black economic empowerment initiatives designed to create a new generation of black business owners, and efforts to create a skilled, better-paid black workforce within the industry.The last section familiarizes readers with the major growing areas of South Africa and the most important producers operating in each one. It opens with a description of the Wine of Origin system, which designates three tiers of major appellations: Regions, Districts and Wards. Descriptions of individual regions and the producers based within each of them follow. A glossary explains important terms that are specific to the South African wine industry.

The Essential Guide to South African Wines: Terroir & Travel creates a historical and holistic experience for wine lovers of any level. The authors take wine lovers on an excursion through this exciting region, discovering the terroir, viticulture, winemaking techniques and the flagship wines of some of the top producers. For independent adventurers looking to bypass day-tours, it provides detailed GPS waypoints for heading straight to places of interest. It also features tips on "Tasting and Understanding Wine Styles" to enhance any wine tasting experience

In Extreme Wine, wine economist and best-selling author Mike Veseth circles the globe searching for the best, worst, cheapest, most expensive, and most over-priced wines. Mike seeks out the most outrageous wine people and places and probes the biggest wine booms and busts. Along the way he applauds celebrity wines, tries to find wine at the movies, and discovers wines that are so scarce that they are almost invisible. Why go to such extremes? Because, Mike argues, the world of wine is growing and changing, and if you want to find out what’s really happening you can’t be afraid to step over the edge. Written with verve and appreciation for all things wine, Extreme Wine will surprise and delight readers.

This book is a glorious tribute to South African wines and the personalities behind the wines. A brief history of the South African wine industry is followed by cellar techniques, the soils, climates, maps and main grape varieties as well as the development of the vineyards, the wines, the people and their winemaking philosophies. Text is informal but informative and includes a unique blend of historical family estate ownership, modern young negociant winemaking and large co-operative wineries in the Cape.

This is a fun but respectful (and very comprehensive) guide to everything you ever wanted to know about wine from the creator and host of the popular podcast Wine for Normal People, described by Imbibe magazine as "a wine podcast for the people." More than 60,000 listeners tune in every month to learn a not-snobby wine vocabulary, how and where to buy wine, how to read a wine label, how to smell, swirl, and taste wine, and so much more! Rich with charts, maps, and lists—and the author's deep knowledge and unpretentious delivery—this vividly illustrated, down-to-earth handbook is a must-have resource for millennials starting to buy, boomers who suddenly have the time and money to hone their appreciation, and anyone seeking a relatable introduction to the world of wine.

Inspired by Jules Verne’s classic adventure tale, celebrated editor-in-chief of The Wine Economist Mike Veseth takes his readers Around the World in Eighty Wines. The journey starts in London, Phileas Fogg’s home base, and follows Fogg’s itinerary to France and Italy before veering off in search of compelling wine stories in Syria, Georgia, and Lebanon. Every glass of wine tells a story, and so each of the eighty wines must tell an important tale. We head back across Northern Africa to Algeria, once the world’s leading wine exporter, before hopping across the sea to Spain and Portugal. We follow Portuguese trade routes to Madeira and then South Africa with a short detour to taste Kenya’s most famous Pinot Noir. Kenya? Pinot Noir? Really! The route loops around, visiting Bali, Thailand, and India before heading north to China to visit Shangri-La. Shangri-La? Does that even exist? It does, and there is wine there. Then it is off to Australia, with a detour in Tasmania, which is so cool that it is hot. The stars of the Southern Cross (and the title of a familiar song) guide us to New Zealand, Chile, and Argentina. We ride a wine train in California and rendezvous with Planet Riesling in Seattle before getting into fast cars for a race across North America, collecting more wine as we go. Pause for lunch in Virginia to honor Thomas Jefferson, then it’s time to jet back to London to tally our wines and see what we have learned. Why these particular places? What are the eighty wines and what do they reveal? And what is the surprise plot twist that guarantees a happy ending for every wine lover? Come with us on a journey of discovery that will inspire, inform, and entertain anyone who loves travel, adventure, or wine.