Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

WSET 4: D4 - Sparkling Wines Nov2024 > 19 South Africa > Flashcards

19 South Africa Flashcards

1
Q

Which two categories of sparkling wines are produced in South Africa?

A
  • inexpensive carbonated sparkling wine

- premium traditional method sparkling wine (known as Cap Classique

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Describe the style of a Cap Classique sparkling wine

A
  • ripe apple and citrus fruit
  • varying levels of autolytic flavours
  • medium (+) acidity
  • medium alcohol
  • good to very good quality
  • mid- to premium-priced
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Wich grape varieties are typically used for Cap Classique?

A
  • Chardonnay
  • Pinot Noir
  • Chenin Blanc
  • Pinotage

95% of the grapes used for MCC

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How is the domestic sales and the export of carbonated sparkling split?

A
  • primarily consumed in the domestic market

- exported to sub-Saharan territories, especially Angola, Mozambique and Nigeria

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Describe the style of a carbonated sparkling wine

A
  • simple
  • fruity wines
  • often off-dry to sweet
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

How has the production of carbonated sparkling changed in 2014 to 2018?

A

increased its share of South African production from 30 to 40%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Which are the South African names for the traditional method?

A
  • Méthode Cap Classique (MCC)

- Cap Classique

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

When was the association Cap Classique founded?

A

1992

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Which amount of the total sparkling wine production in South Africa is account to the members of the Cap Cassique association?

A

90%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Name the MCC standards

A
  • wine is made by the traditional method
  • minimum of 3bar
  • minimum of 12 months on the lees
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Where are the grapes grown?

A
  • Robertson
  • Stellenbosch
  • Paarl
  • Darling
  • Tulbagh
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Which soil is present in Robertson and Bonnievale?

A

limestone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Why could Robertson and Bonnievale produce grapes under cool conditions?

A
  • narrow valleys that have a slower warm up in the morning (due to shade from the mountains)
  • temperatures drop in the afternoon because of cool breezes from the ocean at Cape Agulhas that run up the Breede River

regions with the biggest diurnal shift between day and night temperature

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Which are the soils present in South Africa?

A
  • shale
  • clay
  • decomposed granit
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the time between flowering and picking the grapes?

A

90 days
At 9.5%-11% potential alcohol ( final at around 12%)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Why do the growers leave more growth on the vines?

A

the grows create extra shading which slows down ripening and retain acidity

17
Q

How is the process of the carbonated sparkling wine done

A
  • stopping fermentation early to retain residual sugar
  • cabonating the base wine
  • early release to preserve the fruit character
18
Q

Describe the production process of MCC

A
  • hand picked grapes
  • whole-bunch pressed (recommended, but not required)
  • separation of the press fractions (better producers)
  • commonly use of acidification
  • sometimes fermenting of a portion in old barrels
  • no general rule for MLC, depends on the producer (Villiera dose, Graham Beck avoid it)
  • use of reserve wines (around 10%) for premium wines
  • minimum time on the lees is 12 months (some choosing 15-18 months for non-vintage and longer for vintage and prestige cuvée)
19
Q

How are rosé wines produced for MCC?

A
  • blending white and red wines (control the amount of tannins and colour present prior to second fermentation in the bottle)
  • maceration of black grape variety prior to primary fermentation (less common)
20
Q

How is the body of MCC called?

A

Cap Classique Producers’ Association

21
Q

On which projects is the MCC association currently working?

A

To introduce an additional higher category that would restrict the grape varieties that can be used and whole bunch pressing and a longer time on lees

22
Q

Name a large producer of MCC

A

J. C. Le Roux

23
Q

How has the sales changed in the last decade?

A

sales has doubled every five years

24
Q

How are the domestic sales and the export split?

A

Graham Beck is exporting 50%

25
Q

Which is one of the big challenges for MCC?

A

getting consumers from drinking top-quality Champagne to drink MCC and getting new middle class from drinking beers to MCC

26
Q

How is the Cap Classique Producers’ Association funded?

A

by a levy according to the volume of production

27
Q

Which are the export markets?

A
  • Angola
  • Sweden
  • UK

WSET 4: D4 - Sparkling Wines Nov2024 (21 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions