Traditionally most of South Africa's vineyards have been in the lower-lying areas of regions like Robertson, Stellenbosch, and Paarl. A few decades ago winegrowers began exploring cooler, maritime vineyards near the ocean, but even more recently they've begun exploring higher altitude areas for similar virtues. A few hundred meters of elevation can make a huge difference in growing conditions, and these areas are yielding some of South Africa's most distinctive wines.
","author_name":"Jim Clarke"}