SOUTH AFRICAN WINE DROPPING OFF THE RADAR

According to local news sources, South Africa is in danger of dropping off the list of the top ten wine-making countries in the world. As a result of lost vineyard space, industry experts urge vintners to focus on niche markets instead to pull South Africa back up to the top. “We are ranked ninth in the world, by volume” said Su Birch, Wines of South Africa’s chief while speaking at the showcase Cape Wine 2006 conference. “We are going to slide out of the top ten in the next two to five years. We are going to be a small player.” The Cape is known for producing the bulk of South African wines, specializing mainly in top-quality sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and local pinotage cultivars. However, the area is running out of space which is why Birch encourages growers to focus on certain markets. “South Africa will remain a niche player in the world market,” she said. The UK remains one of South Africa’s largest export markets with South Africa taking the fifth position and 10% of the UK retail market.