38. South Africa Flashcards
What are the factors that help cooling the vineyard regions in South Africa?
- Cold Benguela Current from Antarctica
- Strong south-easterly summer winds (Cape Doctor)
- Mountains
How do the mountains help cooling of the vineyard regions?
- Altitude
- Aspect
- Casting shadow
- Channeling the winds
The vines are planted on which aspect of mountains in Southern Hemisphere? Why?
- Southern slopes
- To benefit from cooler temperatures
What is South Africa’s GI system called?
Wine of Origin (W.O.)
What are the 4 different sizes of production areas in South Africa from largest to smallest?
- Geographical unit
- Region
- District
- Ward
Name the only important geographical unit in South Africa
Western Cape
What are the most important regions in Western Cape?
- Coastal region
- Breede Valley
- Cape South Coast
What does “Estate Wine” mean in South Africa?
- The wines must come from a single estate
- All the grapes must come from estate vineyards that cover a single geographical area
What does “Integrated Production of Wine” mean in South Africa?
If the winemakers follow a voluntary sustainable agricultural scheme, they can display their credentials as part of their W.O. seals
What is the most widely planted grape variety in South Africa?
Chenin Blanc (Steen)
What is the most widely planted black grape variety in South Africa?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Name the important black grape varieties in South Africa
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Syrah
- Pinot Noir
- Pinotage (Pinot Noir x Cinsault)
What is “Cape Blend”?
Blend of Pinotage and other international varieties
What are the distinctive aromas that Pinotage can develop when fermented and/or stored with heavily toasted oak staves
Intense coffee and chocolate aromas
Which styles of Pinotage can be produced in South Africa?
- Light, fruity styles with red berry flavours
- Very full-bodied with rich, spiced berry fruit from old bush vines
Which styles of Chenin Blanc can be produced in South Africa?
- Easy drinking wines with simple stone fruit flavours
- Wines from old bush vines with more concentrated and complex flavours and a fuller texture. Barrel fermentation and aging can add extra body and toasty oak flavours
What is the second most widely planted white grape variety in South Africa? What is it commonly used for?
- Colombard
- Brandy production
Tasting notes of best examples of South African Sauvignon Blanc
- Very pure flavours of citrus and green fruit
- Herbaceous character
What do the grape growers in warmer regions do retain the flavours and acidity of Sauvignon Blanc in South Africa?
They pick the grapes early
Name the important white grape varieties in South Africa
- Chenin Blanc
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Chardonnay
- Muscat of Alexandria (Hanepoot)
- Viognier
Which techniques are used in the production of premium Chardonnays in South Africa?
Burgundian techniques such as barrel fermentation and lees stirring
What kind of wines are produced from Muscat of Alexandria?
Late harvest dessert wines (sometime with noble rot influence)
What are the regions of Western Cape and their districts?
- Coastal Region
- The Stellenbosch
- The Paarl
- Cape Peninsula (Constantia ward)
- Swartland
- Darling
- Tygerberg (Durbanville ward) - Breede River Valley
- Robertson
- Worcester - Cape South Coast
- Walker Bay
- Elgin
- Cape Aghulas (Elim ward)
What is the climate of Stellenbosch?
Moderate to warm. Sufficient rainfall in winter, summers are too hot
What are the factors that moderate hot weather in Stellenbosch?
- Cool winds from the False Bay, funnelled by the mountains into the valleys
- Altitude
The success of Stellenbosch depends on which factors?
The variety of altitude, aspect and soil
Stellenbosch is famous for which kinds of wines?
Top class red wines.
- Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in Bordeaux-style blends
- Syrah
- Cape red blends
How is the climate in Paarl, when compared to Stellenbosch?
- Being further inland, it is less exposed to cooling influences of the sea
- Temperature is hotter but moderated by cooler night temperatures
What are the most widely planted white and black grape varieties in Paarl?
White: Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay
Black: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Pinotage
Which ward has some of the oldest vineyards in Cape?
Constantia
How is Constantia cooled?
Cape doctor
Constantia is famous for which grape variety?
Sauvignon Blanc
What is “Vin de Constance”?
Sweet wine from late-harvested Muscat in Constantia
How did Swartland changed in recent years?
Once considered as a source of inexpensive grapes, Swartland is now a center of innovation and premium wine production.
Swartland is famous for which kinds of wines?
- Old vine Chenin Blanc
- High quality Syrah
- Premium Cape Blends
How is the climate Darling and its neighbor Durbanville ward in Tygerberg distrcit when compared to Swartland?
They are famous for which grape variety?
- Cooler due to cooling sea breezes
- Sauvignon Blanc
Compare the climate of two districts (Worcester, Robertson) of Breede River Valley
- Both are hot and dry and irrigation from the river is essential
- Robertson is cooler due to south-easterly winds
What style of wines are predominantly produced in Breede River Valley?
Well-made wines for high volume brands
Robertson region produce which kinds of wine other than high volume branded wines?
- Excellent Syrahs
- Full-bodied Chardonnays
What are the important districts and their wards of Cape South Coast?
- Walker Bay: Hemel-en-Aarde Ward
- Elgin
- Cape Agulhas: Elim Ward
Which district is home to South Africa’s best Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs?
Walker Bay
The Elgin district and the Elim Ward has a reputation for which grape?
Sauvignon Blanc
What is the character of Sauvignon Blanc in Elim ward?
Pungent, herbaceous
Name the important regions for production of Chenin Blanc
- Swartland
- Paarl
- Worcester
