1960 The U K B G Guide to Drinks (3 rd edition revised)

BRITISH EMPIRE WINES

for the benefit of demobilized soldiers, with the result that in 1926 there were 120,000 acres of vineyards producing an average of 14 million gallons of wine. From figures supplied during 1945 by the Australian Wine Board the area of the vineyards and their wine output had not in creased much over 1940. SOUTH AFRICA The wine industry in South Africa, or should we say within the borders of the Union of South Africa, is on a very limited scale. There is far greater activity in the Cape Province where the industry really takes on a great and real importance and where the scale is of sufficient importance to justify a growing e.xport demand. The most famous South African vineyards are those nearest to Cape Town and also near Wynberg, which produced the famous wines of Constantia, which were so popular during the early half of the I9th century. Wine is still made on a large scale at Wynberg. At"Groot" Constantia itself, which is South African Government property, and adjoining vineyards. The finest stretch of vineyards is further inland, from French Hoek to Wellington, along the Paarl Valley and in the Stellenbusch district close by. Further inland still, at Worcester, Robertson, Montague, Ladysmith and Oudtschoorn, larger quantities of wine are obtained from grapes grown on richer soil, but the wine is of inferior quality. South Africa can and does produce a very large quantity . of different wines, some very sour, dry beverage wines, both red and white, and some palatable sweet fortified wines, as well as sparkling wine and a good deal of brandy.

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