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New method may eliminate need for preservatives in winemaking

25th February 2015

By: Tracy Hancock

Creamer Media Contributing Editor

  

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Western Cape winery Audacia Wines, in Stellenbosch, has patented a “ground-breaking” technique using Rooibos and Honeybush wood in the production of wine, beer and cider, which may potentially eliminate the need for sulphur dioxide and other synthetic materials as preservatives.

The technique is that of local entrepreneur Trevor Strydom, who has replaced traditional oak wood with Rooibos wood in the production of his wine.

Research conducted by the Department of Viticulture and Oenology at Stellenbosch University and ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij (Institute for Deciduous Fruit, Vines and Wine) found that there were powerful antioxidants in Rooibos and Honeybush, which may assist in preserving wine naturally.

Strydom said in a statement that the technique was a significant development for the industry, for organic wine-makers and for those with sulphur allergies. Audacia’s “no sulphites or preservatives added” Merlot 2013 was recently awarded a Veritas 2014 bronze medal.

The Western Cape’s Minister of Economic Opportunities, Alan Winde, visited the winery on Tuesday and commended Strydom and his team for the “cutting-edge concept”.

He highlighted that 167 494 residents in the Western Cape were employed in the wine industry, with close to R20-billion, or 53%, of the industry’s contribution to national gross domestic product generated in the province.

“[Therefore] exciting innovations like these are excellent news for our wine industry as they will help it to grow further,” noted Winde, adding that entrepreneurs like Strydom were also helping to build the brand of the Western Cape as a centre of innovation.

“The only way we can remain competitive is if we embrace innovation. This initiative speaks also to the [addition of] value, a space the Western Cape government is currently driving hard through a new economic project called Project Khulisa; Khulisa [meaning] to grow in Xhosa.

“Through [the project] we identified agroprocessing as a high-potential sector which can dramatically add to growth and jobs in the [Western Cape]. Several firms in the agroprocessing sector are already developing new products to compete on domestic and export markets, and we are embarking on targeted initiatives with industry to ensure this grows,” said Winde.

The Minister added that Audacia’s innovation was an example of driving growth through partnerships as the winery was working with stakeholders, including Stellenbrau Brewery and Windermere Cider, to ensure that Rooibos was infused in their products too.

The Western Cape government was currently working to create an enabling environment for all entrepreneurs, and was assessing how it could support entrepreneurs with the patenting process.

“Further, we will continue our efforts to eradicate unnecessary red tape so entrepreneurs like Trevor have the environment they need to grow their businesses and create jobs,” Winde concluded.

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

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