Wines and brandies of the Cape of Good Hope Book

Wines and Brandies of the Cape of Good Hope is the official textbook of the South African Cape Wine Academy. This award-winning book has been beautifully designed and richly illustrated with stunning photography and layout. It covers all aspects of the South African winemaking and brandy industries from early beginnings to the development of the major corporations and the emergence of the prominent estates. The book covers the essential development of the vineyard with detailed analysis on soil preparation, terroir, viticulture, rootstocks, vine nurseries and institutes, grafting, phenology, grape ripening, vineyard practices, canopy management and trellising. Thirty of the most prominent grape varieties are discussed with details on origin, distribution, usage and physiology. Most varietals are illustrated with leaf shape, bunch, berry and vine. A full discourse on winemaking covers harvesting through to maturation and bottling. Carefully selected winemakers are interviewed in depth on their particular methods and insights on the craft of good winemaking. South Africa's rich brandy heritage is rediscovered with an overview of how pot still brandy is distilled. Finally the entire production industry in South Africa is represented from A to Z.