The Essential Guide to South African Wines

The Essential Guide to South African Wines is a new book that addresses two important aspects of our wine industry: that of terroir, and of wine-tourism.
For the first time in South Africa , a team of highly qualified subject experts have collaborated to write a publication simultaneously addressing the most influential factors facing the wine industry one decade into democracy - Terroir and Travel .
The current demarcation system often has little or no reference to the wines produced in these areas; neither does it indicate accurate geographical location. Thus, wine producing areas are presented in smaller demarcated areas, referred to as Pockets . The Pockets group together wineries based on their terroir (from available terroir information) with names indicating geographical similarity (for example Stellenbosch Kloof, Voor-Paardeberg and Elgin ).
The Essential Guide presents the reader with a selection of the premium South African wine producers and explains why wines from one Pocket taste different from those of another Pocket. The Guide takes the reader to the winery, armed with everything he/she needs to know - soil and locational descriptions, viticultural techniques, winemaking methods, flagship wines, maps and GPS waypoints - to heighten the wine experience.
The partnership of local subject experts and internationally acclaimed wine writers and judges brings the latest research information to the reader. The easy-to-understand format, including explanatory text boxes for technical terms, demystifies the intricate world of fine wines and makes wine appreciation accessible to every wine enthusiast.
The Essential Guide does not rate wines (as there are so many that already do), rather it presents wine styles . Using the concept of terroir as the ultimate expression of authenticity, premium quality wines are explained in non-technical terms. As the wine areas are divided into Pockets, it enables the traveller to explore a unique Pocket in a one-day drive. Also, tourists require something more than an advertisers' listing when they visit the winelands - they need local knowledge . The Essential Guide provides this knowledge and takes visitors on manageable day-drives, including references to other local interests, stay-overs and restaurants.