Promoting
Champagne Plantings in KZN
by KZN
Winegrowers’ Association president – Judy van Niekerk
July 2008
BACKGROUND
Since 2006 KZN has been designated as a wine-of-origin region and
subsequently The Stables Wine Estate has released a number of
award-winning, KZN wine-of-origin wines.
There
are a number of grape growers in the KZN Midlands, with interest and
awareness growing daily as the success of The Stables Wine Estate
becomes apparent.
These
plantings have been somewhat sporadic and have been conducted largely in
an experimental manner.
The
climate of the Midlands is mild in summer, without humidity, which
allows for even ripening of the grapes. Although the winters in the
Midlands are relatively harsh, this does not affect the vines which
remain dormant throughout winter, and are resistant to extremely low
temperatures, frost and snow. In fact the Midlands – specifically the
Nottingham Road area - has been officially designated as the same
climate zone as Burgundy and Champagne in France.
WAY
FORWARD
With many people now interested in planting vines with the sole
purpose of producing wine grapes, it is a good idea to focus on these
plantings in order to establish a sustainable growing industry, where
learning and experience can be shared and economic benefit achieved.
In my
opinion we can leap the existing embryonic industry from where it is now
to something substantial in terms of economic growth, employment,
tourism (national and international), thereby bringing forex to the
province in a substantially short time period.
With
this in mind, it is proposed that the focus should be on Champagne
grapes for the production of Champagne in the KZN Midlands.
Champagne grapes need to be picked earlier than grapes for table wines.
They are ideally harvested at about 16 balling sugar (a measure of sugar
in the grape) and then fermented into a still wine (which will result in
a wine with an alcohol content of about 9%). After bottling the wine is
fermented again (this time resulting in Champagne with an alcohol
content of 12%, which is ideal for this style of wine). The benefit is
that the grapes are harvested early and are then off the vines quicker
and there is less agricultural risk. The temperature in the area is
cool. This is ideal for characteristic development in the grapes for the
production of Champagne wine.
The
types of grapes that could be planted for Champagne wines are as
follows:
-
Chardonnay
-
Sauvignon Blanc
-
Pinot
Noir
-
Pinotage
-
Shiraz
Apart
from Champagne wines in the region, other wines that would be successful
are as follows (following on the success of the various cultivars at The
Stables Wine Estate):
-
Sauvignon Blanc
-
Pinot
Noir
-
Pinotage
-
Chardonnay
-
Weisser Riesling
NEXT STEPS
I would like to see parties interested in growing grapes to join KZN
Winegrowers’ Association as a first step. This would ensure a level of
coordination.
It is my
understanding that most potential growers are not interested in starting
a winery. The Stables Wine Estate, however, has indicated its interest
in buying the grapes for the production of Champagne.
Through
the winegrowers’ association there is potential for transformation and
empowerment as the industry is, at this stage, very small in the
province. There is, however, potential for enormous growth. The industry
represents about 12% of the Cape’s GGP with approximately 60% of that
income remaining in the Cape.
The
Stables Wine Estate is aggressively identifying opportunities for KZN
Winegrowers’ Association to highlight and develop other small industries
and opportunities that are peripheral to the industry.
Already
KZN Winegrowers’ Association has members who are involved in the wine
industry and needs to encourage more so the peripheral industries can
grow with the wine industry.
IPW
TRAINING
IPW (Integrated Production of Wine) refers to the management of
vineyards and wineries from an environmental aspect, including water and
waste management. Compliance with IPW will become law from 2009, so it
is advised that those interested in becoming involved in the industry
become familiar with the practice. The Stables Wine Estate has arranged
for members of Winetech in the Cape to conduct a two-day workshop in the
Midlands. This will include vineyards and wineries and will be held at
The Stables Wine Estate on August 11 and 12, 2008.
TRAINING
ACADEMY
The Stables Wine Estate with KZN Winegrowers’ Association is
formulating plans to start a training academy. It is anticipated that
assistance will be sought from various sources including agriculture,
theta, economic development and the municipalities.
One of
the main challenges faced by The Stables Wine Estate has been lack of
skilled and experienced staff in the industry. This will become more of
an issue as the industry in the province develops. It is proposed that
in the Nottingham Road area an academy is established and members of the
community are trained in the art of viticulture, wine making and wine
appreciation over a two-year period. At the end of the course the
learner will have a bankable qualification as testament of his
proficiency. The wine produced at the academy would be sold as a
community project to assist with further funding. The learners would
need to receive wages during this time, as the idea would be to enhance
human skills as well as the economic status of the learners.
FUTURE EXPERIMENTS
The Stables Wine Estate has expressed interest in planting vines in the
Ilembe Municipal region. It is believed it is possible to achieve
success in this region as grapes are grown successfully in Jordan and
Kuwait. In fact these countries achieve two to three harvests a year, as
opposed to the traditional single annual harvest.
IN
CONCLUSION
Judy van Niekerk of The Stables Wine Estate is the winemaker of the
estate’s Champagnes; and the successful 2007 Champagne will be released
in 2009.
This
launch will also launch the Champagne name for the province.
Champagne is the title reserved for Champagne wines produced in
Champagne, France. In South Africa this style of wine is called Method
Cap Classique; the Cap refers to the Cape.
As we in
KZN will become internationally renowned for our method Champagnes, the
province needs to identify its own name.
The
Stables Wine Estate, with a number of partners such as East Coast Radio
and Independent Newspapers, to name a few, will invite the public to
name this generic style of wine, which will be trademarked for use by
anyone who produces this style of wine in the province.
Key
players involved to date include:
About 13 new members of the association, including a printing company
and a packaging company, to name a few
Mel
Clark of Black Balance
Ilembe Municipality
Sierra Ranch of Mooi River
Mark Taylor of Elan
Midlands
Investment Initiative
Neighbourhood Partnership Fund
