TY  - JOUR
AB  - Purpose– The purpose of this article is to attempt to synthesise the lessons from at least four different ways of looking at the South Africa wine industry: economics, climatology, viticulture, and the sociology of work.Design/methodology/approach– The economic performance of South Africa's wine industry since democratisation in the early 1990s is reviewed, as is the effect of climate change on the industry. This is followed by an assessment of possible strategies for building international competitiveness whilst simultaneously coping with the effects of climate change.Findings– While industry systems should allow the marketing of speciality wines (e.g. from a single vineyard, from a single estate), this is not a viable strategy for most wine producers. Furthermore, climate change will lead to volatility in the characteristics that identify different terroirs.Practical implications– Industry strategies should rather focus on the benefits of diversity, but with a range of adaptations that will also result in better quality wines. These encompass quality; geographic location; viticultural practices; the style of wines and the renewal of skills. In synthesising this argument, the authors then consider whether such a strategy could enhance or hinder greater international competitiveness for the industry.Originality/value– The results can be taken into consideration by policy makers and industry stakeholders in designing future strategies.
VL  - 4
IS  - 4
SN  - 1756-8692
DO  - 10.1108/17568691211277746
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/17568691211277746
AU  - Vink Nick
AU  - Deloire Alain
AU  - Bonnardot Valerie
AU  - Ewert Joachim
PY  - 2012
Y1  - 2012/01/01
TI  - Climate change and the future of South Africa's wine industry
T2  - International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management
PB  - Emerald Group Publishing Limited
SP  - 420
EP  - 441
Y2  - 2024/05/11
ER  -