A VISIT to one of the wine-growing regions of South Africa, such as Stellenbosch, would prove a real education for anyone who has never tried the country's wines.
South Africa produces some excellent red and white wines, and new names and labels appear constantly.
However, to think that South Africa is a new wine producer would definitely be a mistake.
The first grapevine cuttings were imported in the 1650s by Jan van Riebeeck, the Dutch East India Co's first commander at Cape Town.
By the end of the 18th century, the wine-growing areas had achieved a prosperity which allowed many of those associated with it to build themselves sumptuous mansions and live the good life.
One of the main problems in recent years was, of course, the trade embargo, which made the export of South African wines impossible for many markets.