38 - South Africa Flashcards
- most of South Africa’s wine regions are found …
- where they can take advantage of …
- on & around the coastline of the Cape
- the cooling influence fo the Southern Ocean
what allows South African winemakers to produce a broad range of wine styles
- coastline with cooling influence of the Southern Ocean
- dramatic mountainous backdrop
latitude of vine growing regions in South Africa
27-34 south of the Equator
climate & infl. in South Africa
South Africa should have a hot climate (latitude)
Many vy areas are subject to cooling influences
- cold Benguela Current flows up from the Antarctic running past the tip & up the west coast of Africa, cooling coastal areas
- Cape Doctor: regular strong south-easterly summer winds. Bring air cooled by the ocean further inland & can reduce temperatures by a further couple of degrees in some areas
- prominent mountain ranges running throughout the wine regions
–> different altitudes, aspects, soils –> a range of site climates
–> southern slopes, shadow over nearby vy, channel the winds
South Africa’s GI system
- Wine of Origin (W.O.)
–> Certification Seal on every bottle
4 different sizes of production area
1. the geographical unit (ie Western Cape)
2. regions: large areas that tend to follow dominant geological features
(ie Coastal Region, Breede River valley, Cape South Coast)
3. districts
4. wards
Estate Wines:
- must come from a single estate
- all the grapes must come from estate vy that cover a single geographical area
- facilities on their land to process the wine up to & including bottling
Other labelling terms
- a voluntary sustainable agricultural scheme
- Integrated Production of Wine (IPW)
- certified producers can display their credentials as part of their W.O. seals
what is a Estate Wine in South Africa
- must come from a single estate
- all the grapes must come from estate vy that cover a single geographical area
- facilities on their land to process the wine up to & including bottling
what is IPW
- a voluntary sustainable agricultural scheme
- Integrated Production of Wine (IPW)
- certified producers can display their credentials as part of their W.O. seals
- South Africa
grapes in South Africa (6+9)
Black
1. CS
2. Merlot
3. CF
3. Syrah
4. PN
5. Pinotage
White
1. CB
2. Colombard
3. SB
4. Chardonnay
5. Muscat of Alexandria (Hanepoot)
6. Viognier
7. Marsanne
8. Roussanne
9. Grenache Blanc
most widely planted black variety in South Africa
CS
CS in South Africa
- amount
- sv or blend
- most widely planted black variety
- used for varietal wines & also blended with Merlot & CF for Bx-style blends
char. of Merlot in South Africa
full-bodied, plummy wines
Syrah in South Africa
- very widely planted
hot climates:
- rich, full-bodied reds
- often high in alcohol
- ripe black fruit flavours
- sometimes with an earthy or meaty character
cooler areas:
- less full-bodied
- peppery
Syrah in South Africa
- very widely planted
hot climates:
- rich, full-bodied reds
- often high in alcohol
- ripe black fruit flavours
- sometimes with an earthy or meaty character
cooler areas:
- less full-bodied
- peppery
PN in South Africa
- less tolerant of the hot SA climate
- planted in small amounts in the coolest coastal areas
maturation of red wines in SA
the vast majority of premium red wines are matured in oak, with at least a proportion of new barrels used, to give toasty aromas
Pinotage is a cross between
PN x Cinsault
the only other black variety in SA with significant plantings
Pinotage
Pinotage in SA
- PN x Cinsault
- the only other black variety in SA with significant plantings
- developed in SA
- hardly grown anywhere else in the world
- sometimes blended with international varieties, to make a ‘Cape blend’
- on its own: light, fruity style with red berry flavours
- old bush vine: very full-bodied, with rich, spiced, berry fruit
- when fermented and/or stored with heavily toasted oak staves: intense coffee or chocolate aromas
most widely planted variety in SA
Chenin Blanc
CB in SA
- most widely planted variety of either colour
- importance has declined
- great wines both sweet & dry styles
Basic level:
- easy-drinking wines
- simple stone fruit flavours
Old bush vines
- more concentrated & complex flavours
- fuller texture
Production & maturation
- barrel fermentation & barrel ageing can contribute extra body & toasty oak flavours
second most widely planted variety in SA
Colombard
Colombard in SA
- amount
- used in
- second most widely planted white variety
- a significant proportion is used in brandy production
SB in SA
- also widely grown
- a range of possible styles
- often a herbaceous character
best:
- from the coolest regions
- very pure flavours of citrus & green fruit
- warmer regions: picke early
SB in SA
- also widely grown
- a range of possible styles
- often a herbaceous character
best:
- from the coolest regions
- very pure flavours of citrus & green fruit
- warmer regions: picke early
Chardonnay in SA
- can make wines of exceptional quality, particularly in the cooler sites
- Burgundian techniques such as barrel fermentation & lees-stirring contribute to the character of many premium examples
Hanepoot
- Muscat of Alexandria
- South Africa
- not as widely planted as the other varieties
- used to produce late-harvest dessert wines when the grapes are left to shrivel on the vine
- noble rot can also be an influence in these wines
Viognier in SA
- plantings have increased dramatically over the last couple of decades
- rich, perfumed wines
- hint of toasty oak
South Africa
High-quality white blends have also emerged, particularly from Swartland. These wines are often made from …
Chenin Blanc blended with Rhône varieties such as Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc & Viognier
well over 90% of the wine made in SA comes from
the Western Cape
the most important regions of the Western Cape
3 regions
11 districts
4 wards
Coastal Region
1. Stellenbosch district
2. Paarl district
3. Cape Peninsula district
–> Constantia ward
4. Swartland district
5. Darling district
6. Tygerberg district
–> Durbanville ward
Breede River Valley
7. Worcester district
8. Robertson district
Cape South Coast
9. Walker Bay district
–> Hemel-en-Aarde ward
10. Elgin district
11. Cape Agulhas district
–> Elim ward