Stellenbosch WO
An important demarcated wine district in SOUTH AFRICA that is part of the Coastal Region. It’s located about 30 miles east of Cape Town around the beautiful college town of Stellenbosch. In addition to being one of the premier grape-growing areas, it contains several wine-related research and teaching institutions. The climate in the Stellenbosch WO varies considerably—the ocean cools those areas close to False Bay, while inland locales are warmer because they’re protected from ocean breezes. Stellenbosch has long held an excellent reputation for red wines, and red varieties make up about 60 percent of the vineyard acreage. The best in this category are CABERNET SAUVIGNON, MERLOT, Shiraz (SYRAH), and PINOTAGE. The most widely planted white variety is CHENIN BLANC, followed closely by SAUVIGNON BLANC, and then CHARDONNAY. In addition to creating some of South Africa’s top reds, Stellenbosch WO also produces first-class Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs. This area contains almost 42,000 acres, just under 16 percent of the nation’s total. A large number of important wine estates are located here. Some, like Meerlust Estate, Rustenberg Wines, and Spier Cellars, date back to the late 1600s.
Related Links:
South Africa, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah
© Copyright Barron's Educational Services, Inc.
1995 based on THE WINE LOVER'S COMPANION,
by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst.
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