There have been floods in parts of the province but they have not caused any physical damage to vineyards. The rain has been good for the industry, says Andre Morgenthal, spokesman for Wines of South Africa, the official body representing the producers for export of wine.
Thousand of people were cut off by flooding in Western Cape, where most of the country's wine grapes are grown.
South Africa's wine harvest is projected to climb 7.8 percent to 787 million liters this year from 2007 of 730 liters, reports the WOSA website.
Italy is the world's biggest wine producer while South Africa ranks no. 9 in terms of volume production. It has currently 1.02 million hectares of land under vine cultivation. It produces 2.9 % of the world's wine.
There has been a gradual increase in the appearance of South African wines in India with most established importers adding one or more of their labels during the last couple of years. Sonarys, Brindco and Sula have been marketing brands like Rupert Rothschild, Meerlust, Springfield Estate, Two Oceans and Nederberg with brands like Graham Beck imported by Sovereign Impex gaining popularity recently. |