Z.A. Wyn LTD has been established in Canada primarily to promote South African wine. The name “Z.A. Wyn” comes from “Z.A.” which is the dutch abbreviation for Zuid Afrika or in English South Africa and the “Wyn” is Wine in Afrikaans. Directly translated the name means South African Wines. Afrikaans is a local language spoken throughout the country and it is based mainly on Dutch but also has adopted words from Malay, Portuguese some Bantu and the Khoisan languages, in other words it is a truly South African Language.
History of South African Wine
At the southern tip of the African continent where two oceans meet lies the Western Cape home to the South African Wine lands. For over 350 years, the cultures of Africa, Europe and the East have met and mingled in the shadow of the world famous land mark, Table Mountain.
A wine-making tradition and history dating back more than three centuries blends the restrained elegance of the Old World with the accessible fruit driven styles of the New World, making varied and exciting wines which eloquently express the unique terroir, extraordinary diversity and fascinating people of South Africa.
From modest beginnings in the Duthch East India Company’s 17th century gardens below Table Mountain, South Africa’s vineyards now cover 101’016 ha and close to 100 official appellations.
There is no doubt that the South African wine industry is undergoing a major revolution and moving in the right direction. This is clearly seen in the amount of wines taking the top honours at the prestigious international wines shows and competitions. The consumer is also becoming more educated and South African wine makers are experimenting and finding new and better ways of producing top quality wines. The combination of these facts is making the South African wine market the one to watch.
Z.A. Wyn LTD