Cape wines, fashionable since about 1750, will…

Cape wines, fashionable since about 1750, will continue to be so until the mid-nineteenth century.

In 1685, the Constantia estate had been established in a valley facing False Bay by the Governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel.

His 'Vin de Constance' had soon acquired a good reputation, but Hendrik Cloete, who buys the homestead in 1778, will make the name of Constantia famous, with an unfortified wine made from a blend of mostly Muscat de Frontignan (Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains), Pontac, red and white Muskadel (probably clones of Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains) and a little Chenin Blanc.

It will become a favorite of European monarchs from Frederick the Great to Napoleon.