Wines and Brandies of the Cape of Good Hope: The Definitive Guide to the South African Wine Industry [Hardcover]

Phyllis Hands (Author), Dave Hughes (Author), Harry J. Stephan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1998

Wines and Brandies of the Cape of Good Hope is the official textbook of the South African Cape Wine Academy. This award-winning book has been beautifully designed and richly illustrated with stunning photography and layout. It covers all aspects of the South African winemaking and brandy industries from early beginnings to the development of the major corporations and the emergence of the prominent estates.

The book covers the essential development of the vineyard with detailed analysis on soil preparation, terroir, viticulture, rootstocks, vine nurseries and institutes, grafting, phenology, grape ripening, vineyard practices, canopy management and trellising.

Thirty of the most prominent grape varieties are discussed with details on origin, distribution, usage and physiology. Most varietals are illustrated with leaf shape, bunch, berry and vine.

A full discourse on winemaking covers harvesting through to maturation and bottling.

Carefully selected winemakers are interviewed in depth on their particular methods and insights on the craft of good winemaking.

South Africa's rich brandy heritage is rediscovered with an overview of how pot still brandy is distilled.

Finally the entire production industry in South Africa is represented from A to Z.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A Friendly, informed wine guide stunning on the eye and addictive. Official textbook of the Cape Wine Academy, this latest collaboration by popular wine gurus Hands and Hughes has far wider appeal. Coffee-table in format, the definitive SA guide boasts the most luscious, sensuous shots of grapes ever to bloom in print, plus text that offers a clear and concise overview of the local wine and brandy scene.

Photographer and creative director Keith Phillips is a master of chiaroscuro, choosing the optimum moment that adds a 3D effect to landscapes, which in less patient hands can be flat and boring.

We endorse the view of Professor Gene Spaziani, Pinotage enthusiast and president of the American Wine Society: "I thank those responsible for the publishing of this book on behalf of all future students and wine enthusiasts, who will have the opportunity to have their lives enriched by its contents." -- "Jos Baker. Wine Magazine. South Africa. November 1997"

Coffee tables and bedside pedestals nationwide will be expected to have Wines and Brandies of the Cape of Good Hope by Phyllis Hands and Dave Hughes and 1997 Booker Prize winner The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy piled on them.

Marie Canin of Exclusive Books at Hyde Park shopping centre said the photography in Wines and Brandies of the Cape of Good Hope was some of the best ever seen in a wine book and it was a must-have for serious connoisseurs of wines and brandies -- "Babalwa Shota & Dina Seeger. Sunday Times Metro. 18 January 1998"

Source of information and inspiration for lovers of the vine. It maybe the official textbook of the Cape Wine Academy, but this book, written by two of the country's greatest experts (Phyllis Hands is the director of the Cape Wine Academy and named as last year's wine personality, while Dave Hughes is one of the country's top tasters, researchers and judges) will appeal to anybody interested in wine, from connoisseurs and professionals to novice wine lovers.

Extensively researched and stunningly illustrated with lavish photographs and fabulous design this book deals with all aspects of the wine industry.

It's written in the most comprehensive and user-friendly way possible so that you'll soon understand soil type and location of the vineyard (terroir), viticulture and more.

This is a highly commendable book, providing a wealth of information that should act as a source of inspiration for all those who are passionate about wine -- "Orielle Berry. Pretoria News. 16 February 1998"

Wines and Brandies of the Cape of Good Hope by Phyllis Hands and Dave Hughes is such a stylish publication it was awarded the prestigious Perigueux Award for the Best Regional Wine Book, which is conferred biannually by the International Cookbook Revue. It's basically the snobs of the snobs in the wine and food world giving you the thumbs up. Background information and interviews with leading wine-makers will delight the cognoscenti, gorgeous pictures and handsome layout will please everyone. Published by Stephan Phillips of Cape Town in 1997, this is the first South African book to be granted this honour.("Sawubona. SAA (South African Airways) in-flight magazine. March 1999") -- Sawubona. SAA (South African Airways) in-flight magazine March 1999

From the Publisher

Wines and brandies of the Cape of Good Hope was awarded the "Salon International du Livre Gourmand Perigueux Award" for "Best Regional Wine Book in 1998" at the 5th World Cookbook Awards in Perigueux, France

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Stephan Phillips Ltd (June 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0620211822
• ISBN-13: 978-0620211826
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 10 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,435,491 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wine lover's dream, May 31, 2000

By 

"kingofcerf" (Cerf Island Seychelles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wines and Brandies of the Cape of Good Hope: The Definitive Guide to the South African Wine Industry (Hardcover)

This has to be one of the best books on wine ever published. The photographs are outstanding and I particularly liked the interviews with wine makers. I can recommend this book to anyone interested in wines, in book layout, in photography AND in the Southern Cape wine reagons. Excellent fare.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars STUNNING photography - a must-have for any wine lover!, April 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Wines and Brandies of the Cape of Good Hope: The Definitive Guide to the South African Wine Industry (Hardcover)

This is probably the most beautiful book on wine I have ever encountered. I love it! Although it focuses primarily on the South African wine industry, the information on grape growing, winemaking and brandy making is really complete and relevant to any winemaking region. The photography in this book is of the highest quality and is simply breathtaking. Anyone who has visited South Africa will agree that it has probably the most beautiful wine region in the world. This book's pictures tell the same story with excellent photography. Oh and by the way, it is the official textbook of the Cape Wine Academy in South Africa (sure doesn't look like your typical textbook -too colorful and easy to read!) I would recommend this book to ANY wine lover since a lot can be learned from it in a fun way. Makes a stunning 'coffee table' book.