What role does South Africa's history play in its winemaking traditions?

The winemaking legacy of South Africa is inseparable from the country's colonial past; during the 17th century when Dutch explorers settled there, the French Huguenots dominated the 18th century, and the British influence of the 19th century was also felt. This cultural mosaic and the uniqueness of each component have been gradually forming the national winemaking virtues and appellations.