30. South Africa Flashcards
What latitude is South Africa’s Western Cape?
32-35 (comparable to California)
What is the general climate of South Africa’s western cape?
Mediterranean due it’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean
What is the main cooling influence?
The cold north-flowing Benguela current
With which other current does the Benguela current mingle?
Agulhas Current from the Indian Ocean
What is the effect of the combination of the Agulhas and Benguela currents?
The large difference in temperature between the ocean (cool) and the land (warmer) causes regular beneficial coastal fog and cooling breezes.
What is the Cape Doctor?
A south-easterly wind during spring and summer and extends the impact of the Benguela current
What is a positive effect of the Cape Doctor?
It inhibits disease and brings some occasional rain to the South Coast
What are two negatives effect of the Cape Doctor?
1) It can damage leaves affecting
photosynthesis and ripeness
2) Affects flowering process and berry set reducing yields.
In what area can spring frost be an occasional issue?
Breedekloof ward
What issue affecting vines often occurs over winter?
A lack of winter freeze, which can cause issues with vines failing to rest over winter
When does most rain fall in South Africa?
Winter (May-August)
Rainfall in SA is adequate, particularly around Stellenbosch, but it becomes drier further inland. Why? (2)
1) The decrease in the impact of the Benguela current
2) Protection of the mountains that follow the coastline
What are the four most planted white varieties in South Africa?
1) Chenin Blanc
2) Colombard
3) Sauvignon Blanc
4) Chardonnay
What are the four most planted black varieties in South Africa?
1) Cabernet Sauvignon
2) Syrah
3) Pinotage
4) Merlot
When does Pinotage bud?
Early
Pinotage reaches high sugar levels in small berries. What’s a winemaking outcome of this?
It can potentially reach high alcohol with deep colour that require only a short time on the skins after
the end of fermentation (3 days for the lighter style, 5 days for the fuller-bodied style).
What are the three principal soil types in the Western Cape?
1) Soils derived from Table Mountain sandstone
2) Soils derived from granite
3) Soils derived from shale
Describe the soils derived from Table Mountain sandstone
Sandy with low nutrient and
water-retention properties. Vineyards on these soils may need careful attention to irrigation and fertilisation.
Describe the soils derived from granite
Found on the foothill slopes of mountains and in hilly areas. They have good water- retention properties, indicating a potential for dry-farming.
Describe the soils derived from shale
Good nutrient levels and good water-retention properties, indicating a potential for dry-farming.
Most Cape soils require heavy adjustments with lime. Why?
The soils are excessively acid otherwise preventing the vines from nutrient uptake
What two viruses has South Africa had a legacy of combatting?
Fanleaf
Leafroll
What is South Africa’s most common fungal disease?
Powdery
What is the most common form of vine training and why?
Cordon with VSP with a fruiting wire at 0.75 m for ease of pruning
What does the Integrated Production of Wine (IPW), 1998, govern?
All aspects of growing and winemaking from carbon emissions, to staff training and conservation of soil,
rivers and wetlands.
Describe the maturation of an inexpensive Pinotage (3)
1) Aged in stainless steel or used barrels.
2) Oak alternatives (staves or chips) may be used to add oak flavours.
3) Can be released early, e.g. 6–12 months after vintage.
Describe the maturation of an premium Pinotage (2)
1) Aged for an extended period (12–15 months) in French oak barriques (often more than 50 per cent new)
2) Released two years after the vintage.
Why is Colombard excluded from the ‘big six’ varieties of South Africa despite its significant plantings?
It goes into blends or is grown for brandy or distillation
What are the three main blends of South Africa?
1) White Cape blends
2) Red/White Bordeaux blends
3) Red Cape blends
What is a White Cape blend?
Typically Chenin-dominant with white Rhône varieties, Chardonnay, Semillon or Sauvignon Blanc
What is a Red Cape blend?
A broader category for blends with a significant proportion of Pinotage and/or black Rhône varieties
What are the four official terms for South Africa’s GI system?
1) Geographical unit
2) Region
3) District
4) Ward
Give two examples of regions as per the South African GI
1) Coastal Region
2) Breede River Valley
Give two examples of districts as per the South African GI
1) Stellenbosch
2) Walker Bay
Define wards as per the South African GI and provide an example
1) Defined area within a district
2) Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
What are the requirements of estate wines? (2)
1) Grown, made and bottled on the estate
2) Registered, be planted with a single variety and not be larger than six hectares
What are the four regions of South Africa’s Western Cape?
1) Olifants River
2) Coastal Region
3) Cape South Coast
4) Breede River Valley
What are the seven important districts of Coastal Region?
1) Cape Town
2) Darling
3) Franschhoek Valley
4) Paarl
5) Stellenbosch
6) Swartland
7) Tulbagh
8) Wellington
What are the two main wards of Cape Town?
1) Constantia
2) Durbanville
What is the main ward of Stellenbosch?
Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
What is the main ward of Paarl?
Simonsberg-Paarl
Where are the vines of Constantia planted?
On east-facing slopes of Constantiaberg, which extends south from Table Mountain.
What are the soils of Constantia?
Low vigour granite soils sit above a layer of sandstone providing good drainage to the region’s relatively high rainfall (1,000mm)
What are the main four varieties planted in Constantia?
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz
Why is there little to no Pinot Noir planted in Constantia?
It’s a windy region with cooling winds from False Bay, which inhibits Pinot’s flowering
Name a key producer of Constantia, Cape Town
Klein Constantia
Why is rainfall in Durbanville half that of Constantia?
It is situated in the Tygerberg hills, which offer protection
Why can Durbanville often be dry-farmed despite its low rainfall?
Due to the water-holding capacity of the soils
What is the main variety of Durbanville?
Sauvignon Blanc
Which bay mitigates the warm temperatures of Constantia and Durbanville?
False Bay
Name a key producer in Durbanville
Bloemendal
Name a key Stellenbosch producers
Raats
Describe the location of Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
On the lower slopes of the south-west side of the Simonsberg
What are the two main soil types in Stellenbosch a) around False Bay and b) on the slops of Simonsberg?
a) Alluvial sand
b) Granite and shale
What two weather conditions mean Stellenbosch and Paarl are known for traditional black varieties?
1) Good rainfall (600-900mm)
2) Warm days
What is the Simonsberg?
A mountain in Stellenbosch
Describe the location of Simonsberg-Stellenbosch’s vineyards and an advantage of such (2)
1) Warmer inland on the south-west slopes of the Stellenbosch Mountain
2) Its vineyards relatively open to the ocean breezes, providing a higher diurnal range than the flatter sites.
What wines is Simonsberg-Stellenbosch most known for? (3)
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon-based blends and Pinotage.
Of Simonsberg-Stellenbosch and Simonsberg-Paarl, which is warmer and why?
1) Simonsberg-Paarl
2) Situated on the protected east side
Name a key Stellenbosch producer
Kanonkop (Simonsberg)
What are the four leading varieties of Paarl?
Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon,
Shiraz and Pinotage
What international varieties less common in South Africa are planted in the warmer sites of Paarl?
Viognier and particularly
Mourvèdre
What is distinct about the Paarl ward Simonsberg-Paarl compared with the rest of the district?
It has slightly higher elevation than the rest of the Paarl district, which
provides a slightly higher diurnal range and a longer and slightly cooler ripening season.
Describe the main two topographical aspects of Franschhoek Valley
1) Wrapped around on three sides by mountains offering a varied topography giving shelter and warmth
3) 300-600masl
Franschhoek Valley experiences a similar level of rainfall to Paarl and Stellenbosch, but irrigation is often required. Why?
The soils are fast draining
What are the leading three varieties planted in Franschhoek
Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz
Name a significant producer in Franschhoek
Boekenhoutskloof
What are the soils of the Darling and Swartland districts?
Granite with water holding capacity
Describe the location of Darling
North of Cape Town and surrounded north, east, and west by Swartland at altitude and so exposed to the Atlantic
Describe the climate of Swartland
Warm, dry climate with around 500 mm rain per year, most falling during the growing season
Darling and Swartland share the same soils, but irrigation is needed in Swartland for what two reasons?
1) Swartland has lower (500mm) rainfall
2) To guarantee yields and the cultivation of old vines (for which the area is famous)
Swartland is an important source of fruit for which premium South African wine styles?
Western Cape white and red blends made from the ‘big six’ varieties
Describe the two sectors of Swartland’s winery industry
1) Older businesses,
often co-operatives, produce good to very good quality, inexpensive and mid-priced wines.
2) Since 2000, a premium sector focusing on low yields, dry farming, organic/biodynamic farming, old vines, ambient yeasts and maturation in old oak.
Describe the Tulbagh district
Very warm, dry, sheltered valley
surrounded by a horseshoe-shaped mountain range.
Where do the cooling influences for Tulbagh come from? (2)
1) Altitude (400–500m)
2) Shade thrown by mountains, which also trap cold morning air in the valley
Tulbagh can be dry. How is water managed here? (2)
1) Soils have good water retention capacity
2) Rain that falls on the upper slopes is collected in a series of
ponds that can provide water for irrigation
The district of Wellington’s reputation is growing on what variety and wine style?
Shiraz and powerful red blends
Three varieties grown in Tulbagh reflect its history of inexpensive wine production. What are they?
1) Chenin
2) Shiraz
3) Colombard
Describe the two main vineyard areas of the Wellington district
1) Alluvial terraces towards the Swartland’s rolling hills
2) The foothills of the Hawequa Mountains, where valleys create varied mesoclimates
What are the three main districts of the Breede River Valley region?
1) Breedekloof
2) Worcester
3) Robertson
What is the Breede River Valley region responsible for in the main?
It produces the most wine in South Africa at relatively high
yields and for South
Africa’s distillation industry
What is the climate of Breedekloof?
Warm continental with cooling summer south-east winds
Of the three Breede River Valley districts, which doesn’t require irrigation?
Breedekloof due to adequate rainfall
Why does Worcester require irrigation?
It’s relatively low rainfall is due to the rain shadow of the surrounding
mountains
What are the soils like in Worcester?
Loamy and very fertile (historically planted for high volume production and the needs of the brandy industry)
Describe the three key features of the Robertson district
1) Warm with very low rainfall
2) South-east winds
are a cooling influence and bring moisture-laden air from the Indian Ocean
3) Flat plains provide relatively fertile growing conditions, making parts of the district suitable for high yields
Within the scope of South African wine regions, what is unusual about parts of the soil in the Robertson district?
Limestone soils suitable for Chardonnay
What is the most northerly region of South Africa’s Western Cape?
Olifants River Region
Despite being a source of high-volume fruit, Olifants River Region also produces what?
Fruit from dry farmed old vines made into wine by well-known growers in more prestigious regions.
Does Olifants River Region have districts and wards?
Yes - premium wine can be made here despite its reputation for distillation and bulk
Select areas of Olifants River Region produce high quality fruit. What are two reasons for this?
1) Altitude of 450–550m and aspect
2) Cooling influences from the Atlantic Ocean
What are two key districts of the Cape South Coast region?
1) Walker Bay
2) Elgin
Hemel-en-Aarde is the collective name for which three Walker Bay wards?
1) Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
2) Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
3) Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
What is the other key wards of Walker Bay?
Bot River
Describe the location of the three Hemel-en-Aarde wards
1) Hemel-en-Aarde Valley - lowest yet closest to Atlantic
2) Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley - higher elevation facing north and west
3) Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge - highest (400m) and furthest inland
Hemel-en-Aarde vineyards tend to face with aspect?
North, which aids ripening in this cool Atlantic area
What are the three main varieties of Cape Coast?
Sauvignon, Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
What makes Hemel-en-Aarde’s soil comparable to Burgundy?
High clay content (up to 55%)
The Babylonstoren Mountains have what influence on Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge?
They act as a cloud trap collecting moisture and providing shade
Hemel-en-Aarde can be windy off the Atlantic. Whilst the soils have good water retention, what other technique is employed to reduce evaporation?
Cover crops
Describe two key features of the Bot River ward
1) Stretches from the
Bot River Lagoon that funnels cold winds towards the slopes of the nearby mountain ranges.
2) Slightly warmer than Hemel-en-Aarde, but cooler than
Paarl and Stellenbosch
What makes Elgin the coolest of South Africa’s wine growing regions? (3)
The altitude, cloud cover and the cooling influence of the ocean
Elgin’s rainfall allows some wineries to produce what wine style?
Botrytis wines
What two wine styles is the Klein Karoo region known for?
1) Port styles
2) Fortified Muscat
What is the Integrated Production of Wine (IPW)?
An independently audited set of
guidelines for sustainable farming that covers environmental impact, water usage, health and safety and biodiversity protection
What is the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative (BWI)?
By 2015 over 90 per cent of the South African wine industry was able to certify their wine as being environmentally
friendly
What is the WWF-SA Conservation
Champion Programme?
Recognises producers who commit to biodiversity conservation and improvement of production practices, energy-efficient measures and water stewardship.
What does the Integrity and Sustainability seal certify?
A certified wine’s environmental credentials such as chemical usage, water management and
introduction of natural predators
What is the Sustainable Wine South Africa?
The alliance between the WSB, IPW, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and WOSA
What is the Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association (WIETA)?
A voluntary association
of businesses that committed to an audited scheme of ethical trade with a focus on reasonable working conditions for workers
Approximately how much of South Africa’s wine is exported?
1/2
What is the primary export market for South African wine?
UK (then Germany and USA)
What is the primary format for South African wine?
Bulk, inexpensive with a trend towards increased value
