According to the Climate System Analysis Group at the University of Cape Town (www.csag.uct.ac.za) ‘2015-2017 was the driest three-year period on record that started in the early 20th century.’ So far, 2018 has offered no relief: water allocations have been cut, forcing some wine farmers especially up the West Coast, to decide which vineyards are economically worth saving, which aren’t.
Not all areas are faced with the same level of drought: Elgin and Hemel-en-Aarde, cooler regions which receive some summer rain, are better off than warmer ones like the Swartland.
It is a reality that many vineyards which have struggled or died in the drought will not be replaced: SAWIS’ figures show 2013’s 99,687 hectares of wine grapes, fell to 95,775ha in 2016.
Bearing this in mind, never has it been more necessary to carefully study which varieties can tolerate the drier conditions the Western Cape might well have to get used to. In this case, choice of rootstock is as important as the variety. According to Charles Visser of Vititec grapevine nursery in Paarl, South Africa does have good drought-resistant rootstock; he lists 110 Richter, 140 Ruggeri and 1103 Paulsen among them.
With regard to the grape variety itself, before planting Sijnn vineyards at Malgas, along the Cape South Coast, David Trafford compiled as much information as he could on a wide spectrum to help determine the best suited to this untested spot. Drought resistance was one criteria, though the higher incidence of rot in the area was a limiting factor. Charles Visser has since added to the list. Assyrtiko and Chenin Blanc showed excellent potential among whites, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache Peluda promising reds.
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