Grape juice to be allowed in the manufacturing of cider

Note necessarily made entirely from apples.

Wine industry body Vinpro has welcomed the decision by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development to allow for the use of grape juice in the manufacturing of alcoholic apple beverages, or ciders.

According to the Government Gazette on 8 July 2022, regulations under the Liquor Products Act will allow for the use of other fruit bases, including grape juice, to be used for the manufacturing of a cider, provided that at least 75% of the fruit base used is derived from apples. Until now, only pear juice was allowed as a complement (up to a maximum of 25%) to apple juice in the manufacturing of alcoholic cider beverages.

The change will apparently not affect the quality of South Africa’s cider products. Apple juice concentrate is mainly imported, and the use of grape concentrate will help reduce cider production costs. Vinpro is obviously also delighted that this new ruling will help reduce the wine industry’s current high surplus.