Sought after by European aristocrats and a favorite of Napoleon Bonaparte, the sweet wines of Constantia in the Cape Colony were considered to be among the world's best during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. During the first democratic elections in 1994, South Africa began to re-emerge onto the international wine scene.

Preface and Acknowledgments Introduction 1. Wine and the New South Africa 2. A Brief History of South African Wine to 1994 3. Grape Varieties and Wine Styles 4. Wine of Origin: Legislation, Labels, and Terroir 5. Constantia and the Cape Peninsula 6. Stellenbosch 7. Paarl and Wellington 8. Franschhoek 9. Durbanville to Darling 10. The Swartland 11. Breede River Valley 12. Walker Bay and Cape Agulhas 13. Elgin and Overberg 14. Tulbagh and Ceres 15. Olifants River, West Coast, and Cederberg 16. Klein Karoo and Adjacent Wards Appendix Bibliographic Notes Index of Wineries General Index

“Tim James combines the necessary cool eye and warm heart as successfully as any wine writer, making him the ideal guide to the new South Africa. Critical, knowledgable, and passionate, erudite, eloquent, and lucid, he finds the gold at both ends of the rainbow, explaining the past and illuminating the present with a light but very sure touch. This is the book on South Africa for which wine lovers have been waiting.”--Neil Beckett, editor of The World of Fine Wine"Tim James knows the Cape wine scene as well as anyone and far better than most local journalists. He brings an academic's rigour to his research, but he's a hedonist, too, reveling in the best wines. South Africa is lucky to have such a well informed advocate."--Tim Atkin MW

"A hopeful and interesting read." -- Fred Tasker Sacramento Bee "South African wine has needed a book like 'Wines of the New South Africa' for some time... [James] brings a fresh perspective and a critical eye to a wine region about which he clearly cares deeply. The result is that 'Wines of the New South Africa' is as complete a reference on the South African wine scene as you're likely to find, and those with an interest in learning more about South African wine will be able to spend many hours with the book." -- Joe Roberts, 1WineDude.com wine.answers.com "James writes passionately and intelligently about the wines of his homeland... Wine lovers of every stripe should find 'New South Africa' interesting reading... An informative reference." -- Gerald Boyd Wine Review Online "A knowledgeable discussion of South African wine for the serious connoisseur." Chicago Tribune "We have a profound appreciation for James' contribution in this detailed, comprehensive account of South African wine. Anyone planning a trip to South Africa or simply wanting to know a lot more about its wine industry is strongly encouraged to read this book." International Wine Review Blog "It was once said that Wagner's music is better than it sounds. The same is true of James's Wines of the New South Africa." -- Michael Fridjhon Business Day "This is an important book, penned with knowledge and insight at an important point in the development of the South African wine industry." The World of Fine Wine "[An] honest, clearly written and intense study of what has happened and is happening in the Cape... One of the best reads of the year." JancisRobinson.com "With academic precision and the enthusiasm of a true wine lover, James discusses the science, culture, and history of South Africa's most celebrated grape varietals and wine styles. Readers will come away with a clear understanding of the country's wine terroir and climate, as well as a new appreciation for South Africa's burgeoning wine industry." Sante