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
the most important districts & wards of the Coastal Region, Western Cape, SA
6 districts
2 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
the most important districts & wards of the Breede River Valley, Western Cape, SA
2 districts
Breede River Valley
1. Worcester district
2. Robertson district
the most important districts & wards of the Cape South Coast, Western Cape, SA
3 districts
2 wards
Cape South Coast
1. Walker Bay district
–> Hemel-en-Aarde ward
2. Elgin district
3. Cape Agulhas district
–> Elim ward
- the majority of the remainder of the wine in SA comes from …
(90% from Western Cape) - know for
- the very hot & irrigated Orange River in the Northern Cape
- known mostly for inexpensive whites that are rarely seen on export markets
Orange River in Northern Cape
- the majority of the remainder of the wine made in SA
- hot & irrigated
- known mostly for inexpensive whites that are rarely seen on export markets
where is Stellenbosch
- district in the Coastal Region, Western Cape, SA
- stretches from just inland of the coast at Somerset West right up into the mountains that surround the town of Stellenbosch itself
- east of Cape Town
- west of Elgin
the hub of fine wine production in SA
Stellenbosch district
climate & infl. in Stellenbosch
- Moderate to warm
- sufficient rainfall in the winter
- summers are rarely too hot
–> cool winds from False Bay that are funnelled by the mountains into the valleys - variety of altitude, aspect & soil
Stellenbosch has built up en reputation for
top class red wines, in particular CS & Merlot (often made in Bx-style blends), Syrah & Cape red blends
Stellenbosch has built up en reputation for
top class red wines, in particular CS & Merlot (often made in Bx-style blends), Syrah & Cape red blends
grapes in Stellenbosch
- CS
- Merlot
- Syrah
- SB
- Chardonnay
where is Paarl
- large district in the Coastal Region, Western Cape, SA
- to the north of Stellenbosch
climate & infl. of Paarl
- less exposed to the cooling influences of the sea
- temperatures tend to be hotter in the summer
- moderated by cooler night-time temperatures
- mountainous terrain
–> altitudes, aspects & soils
grapes in Paarl
- CS
- Syrah
- Pinotage
- Chenin Blanc
- Chardonnay
ward in the Cape Peninsula district that has some of the oldest vy in the Cape
Constantia
where is Constantia
- ward in the Cape Peninsula district, Coastal Region, Western Cape, SA
- lie on the eastern flanks of Table Mountain
- south-west of Cape Town
infl. on Constantia
- vy constantly cooled by the Cape Doctor
producers in Constantia have a particular reputation for …
SB
Vin de Constance
- one of the estates in Constantia continues to produce
- sweet wine
- from late-harvested Muscat
there are some vy planted south of Table Mountain closer to Cape Point itself.
1. these vy are well exposed to …
2. and have made a speciality of …
- the cooling influence of the ocean
- SB & Semillon
grapes in Constantia
- SB
- Semillon
- Muscat
- Shiraz
- CS
where is Swartland
- large district in the Coastal Region, Western Cape, SA
- north of Cape Town
Swartland
1. used to be …
2. has undergone …
3. is now …
- source of inexpensive grapes & wine
- a considerable transformation in recent years
- a centre of innovation & premium wine production
- Swartland is recognised particularly as a source of …
- which are often …
- … also come from this district
- old vine Chenin Blanc & high-quality Syrah
- both of which are often dry-farmed, lowering yields but enhancing fruit concentration
- a number of premium Cape blends (both red & white)
where is Darling
- district in the Coastal Region, Western Cape, SA
- south-west of Swartland
- near the coast
infl. on Darling
- cooling sea breezes
- Darling has built its reputation on …
- but now produces …
- is a source of …
- SB
- a range of other varieties
- old vines
where is Durbanville
- ward in the Tygerberg district, the Coastal Region, Western Cape, SA
- between Swartland & Stellenbosch
Durbanville
1. infl.
2. has built a reputation for
- cooled by the sea breezes that also blow ghrough Cape Point
- SB
where is Worcester
- district at the western end of the Breede River Valley, Western Cape, SA
Worcester
climate & infl., grapes & wine
- hot & dry
- irrigation, largely drawn from the river, is essential
- fertile soils
- can produce a significant proportion of SA’s annual production
- the majority is white wine made from CB & Colombard
- much of this wine is used for distillation
- reliable source of well-made red & white wines for high volume branded wines
where is Robertson
- district to the east of Worcester, Breede River Valley, Western Cape, SA
Robertson
climate & infl, grapes & wine
- similar but slightly cooler climate to Worcester
- south easterly winds that are drawn into the valley
- realiable source of well-made wines for high volume brands
- less fertile soils
- can also produce some excellent Syrahs & full-bodied Chardonnays
where is Cape South Coast
- Western Cape, SA
- south of Breede River Valley
Cape South Coast
- infl.
- wines
- well exposed to the ocean
- regular source of some of the best fruit & wines
the most well-established vy area in Cape South Coast
Walker Bay district
where is Walker Bay
- district in Cape South Coast, Western Cape, SA
- south of Elgin
ward in Walker Bay district
Hemel-en-Aarde
Hemel-en-Aarde
- ward in the Walker Bay district, Cape South Coast, Western Cape, SA
- home to some of SA’s best Chardonnays & PN
- other varieties such as SB, Merlot & Syrah are grown with equal success
where is Elgin
- district to the north-west of Walker Bay, Cape South Coast, Western Cape, SA
Elgin
1. … is another important cooling influence
2. reputation for …
3. showing promise for …
- altitude
- intense, fresh SB
- PN, Chardonnay & Syrah
Elgin
1. … is another important cooling influence
2. reputation for …
3. showing promise for …
- altitude
- intense, fresh SB
- PN, Chardonnay & Syrah
to the south-east of Walker Bay
Elim ward
where is Elim
- to the south-east of Walker Bay, Cape South Coast, Western Cape, SA
Elim
1. has a particular reputation for …
2. but … is also showing promise
- pungent, herbaceous SB
- Syrah
