The Rhone Valley's mistral--the cool, drying wind (sometimes cold and powerful enough to knock over trees) that sweeps over the valley's vineyards, slowing grape ripening and preventing disease--has long been cited as a contributor to the quality of the region's wines. The same could be said about the Cape Doctor, a strong coastal southeasterly that blows through much of South Africa's Winelands and into Cape Town. But the wind is just the beginning of the similarities between France's Rhone Valley and some of the Cape's winegrowing regions. It should come as no surprise that South Africa is discovering a natural affinity for the Rhone's grape varieties and wine styles.

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