A ST Albans wine expert has taken it upon himself to write the world s first book about South Africa s most famous wine. Author Peter May travelled extensively to South Africa since 1996 to gather research on Pinotage, the dark red wine that is the basis

A ST Albans wine expert has taken it upon himself to write the world's first book about South Africa's most famous wine.

Author Peter May travelled extensively to South Africa since 1996 to gather research on Pinotage, the dark red wine that is the basis of his book. He is also the creator of a website dedicated to all aspects of the vintage.

"Pinotage is a wine of great importance in its homeland that is getting increasing international attention and yet there was little reliable information available," said Mr. May.

"Since no-one was doing so, I decided to write a book that would place the facts on record and nail the rumours.

"I ended with a book that was part mystery, part history, part travel book and yet all about wine," he told the Herts Advertiser.

Mr. May explores the history of winemaking in South Africa as well as covering the life of Pinotage creator, Professor Abraham Perold. The final parts of the book cover the growing and selling process.

The book has already generated response in South Africa: "It never failed to astonish me that probably the most avid Pinotage fan has not only been running a Pinotage fan club from foreign shores, but now this man from St Albans has gone and published the very first book on the Cape's indigenous cultivar," said journalist Cassie du Plessis, writing in South Africa's wine industry magazine WineLand.

Mr May's previous book Marilyn Merlot and the Naked Grape took a sideways look at humorous wine labels from across the globe.

Pinotage: Behind the Legend of South Africa's Own Wine, is available in Waterstones in St Albans and more information can be found at: www.pinotage.org