James Francis

South Africa is a renowned wine producer. The world's ninth-largest wine market, our wines are recognised internationally for their quality and range, and locally for their excellent prices. Yet such an impressive achievement has very basic origins.

The first handful of winemakers arrived with the Dutch colonists in the 1650s, using the practice to produce wine and help reduce scurvy among the sailors of passing ships. Soon enough, South Africa was producing some terrific grapes and wines.