Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

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


See full index

Vins > Afrique du Sud > Flashcards

Afrique du Sud Flashcards

1
Q

The majority of South Africa’s vine growing regions lies between which 2 latitudes?

A

32° - 35° south of the Equator

These latitudes were updated in 2022 per the WSET 3 addendum. Know that the former latitudes were 27° - 34°, which are found in the textbook.

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

Generally, the climate of South Africa is ______.

A

Hot

If not for a fortunate combination of mountains, winds, and ocean currents, most of South Africa would be inhospitable to viticulture.

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

What is the name of the ocean current that helps make viticulture possible in South Africa?

A

The Benguela Current, a cold ocean current which flows up from the Antarctic.

This current is caused by powerful southeasterly winds which blow the surface waters away from the sub-continent, forcing cold water to rise, or upwell, from great depths that don’t receive any sunshine. From South Africa the current flows northwards, up the west coast of Africa, towards the equator.

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

What is the name for the series of summer southeasterly winds that help make viticulture possible in South Africa?

A

The Cape Doctor, which are strong, cool, southeasterly winds that blow through False Bay up to Cape Town and further inland.

It’s called the “Cape Doctor” because it sweeps away all the air pollution produced by traffic and industry in the city.

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

South Africa has several mountain ranges that run throughout the wine regions.

What are the mountains’ effects on viticulture?

A

different altitudes
different aspects
different site climates
different soils
valley floor warmer
mountainous terrain can cast shadows over vineyards, creating cooler spots
mountains can also help channel the winds through the vineyards

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the most widely planted grape, of either color, in South Africa?

A

Chenin Blanc

It is now more widely planted in South Africa than it is in France.

Great wines in both sweet and dry styles.
Usually easy drinking wines with simple stone fruit flavours.
An increasing number of producers are making wines from old bush vines, which can offer more concentrated and complex flavours and a fuller texture. Barrel fermentation and barrel ageing can contribute extra body and toasty oak flavours

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

What is the second most widely planted white grape in South Africa?

A

Colombard

Colombard is not widely used in still wine production in South Africa, but plays a significant role in South African brandy production.

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

Which other white grape varieties are grown?

A

SAUVIGNON BLANC: range of possible styles but often have a
herbaceous character.
Coolest regions: very pure flavours of citrus and green fruit.
Warmer regions: the grapes need to be picked early to retain such flavours, as well as high levels of acidity .

CHARDONNAY can make wines of exceptional quality, particularly in the cooler sites. Burgundian techniques (barrel fermentation and lees-stirring) contribute to the character of many premium examples.

VIOGNIER is increasing and gives rich, perfumed wines with a hint
of toasty oak.
High-quality blends emerge, eg Swartland: Chenin Blanc blended with Rhone varieties (Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Viognier).

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

What is the most planted red/black grape variety in South Africa?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon:
- used for varietal wines
- also blended with Merlot and Cabernet Franc for Bordeaux-style
blends

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

What grape variety, rarely seen outside of South Africa, has become a flagship for South Africa?

A

Pinotage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the parent grapes for Pinotage?

A

Pinot Noir and Cinsault

Cinsault was formerly known as Hermitage, especially in South Africa. The name ‘Pinotage’ is a combination of ‘Pinot’ and ‘Hermitage.’

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is Hanepoot?

What is it used for?

A

The South African name for Muscat of Alexandria.

Used for late-harvest sweet (dessert) wines.
Grapes are left to shrivel on the vine. Noble rot can also happen.

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

What is South Africa’s Geographic Indication (G.I.) system called?

A

The Wine of Origin (W.O.) Scheme.

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

What are the four different production area designations under the Wine of Origin scheme according to size?

A

From largest to smallest they are:

Geographical Unit (eg Western Cape).
Regions (follow dominant geological features) eg Coastal Region.
Districts
Wards
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the requirements for a South African wine to be labeled as an Estate Wine?

A

The wine itself must come from a single estate;
The estate’s vineyards must be within a single geographical area;
The wines must be made on the estate’s premises all the way up to and including bottling.

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

What is presently the most important Geographical Unit in South Africa?

A

The Western Cape

The Western Cape is important as a wine appellation as it allows producers to blend the best parcels of grapes from widely different areas.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

The Western Cape accounts for what percentage of the South African wine market?

A

> 90%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Outside of the Western Cape, where is the majority of South African wines made?

A

Orange River, an independent ward in the Northern Cape Geographical Area.

The Orange River is known for bulk and everyday wines that are not often seen outside of South Africa.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What District has long been the heart of production for fine wine in South Africa?

A

Stellenbosch

20
Q

What geographic features contribute to the success of Stellenbosch’s fine wine production?

A

Climate is moderate to warm depending on location. There is sufficient rainfall in the winter and summers are rarely too hot, thanks to the cool winds from FalseBay that are funnelled by the mountains into the valleys.

Above all, the success of Stellenbosch lies in the variety of altitude, aspect and soil.

21
Q

Stellenbosch is known for producing red wines from which grape varieties?

A

Reputation for top class red wines:
- Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (which are often made
in Bordeaux-style blends),
- Syrah, and
- Cape red blends

22
Q

Stellenbosch successfully produces white wines from what grape varieties?

A

high-quality Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay

23
Q

What large, important district of South Africa is located north of Stellenbosch?

A

Paarl district

Like Stellenbosch, the mountainous terrain offers a variety of altitudes, aspects and soils.

24
Q

Paarl is known for its white wines made from which grape varieties?
Red wined from which varieties?

A

Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay
Cabernet Sauvignon , Syrah and Pinotage

25
Q

Paarl tends to be warmer or cooler than Stellenbosch?

Why?

A

WARMER
It is less exposed to the cooling influences of the sea, being further inland, and temperatures tend to be hotter in the summer although this can be moderated by cooler night-time temperatures

26
Q

Which Ward in the Western Cape has some of the region’s oldest vines?

A

CONSTANTIA

27
Q

Constantia’s oldest vines are situated on the east side of what mountain?

A

Table Mountain

28
Q

Constantia is known for producing very good still white table wines from which grape variety?

A

These vineyards are constantly cooled by the Cape Doctor and the producers have a particular reputation for Sauvignon Blanc

29
Q

The cooler sites of Constantia specialize in which grape varieties?

A

Vineyards planted south of Table Mountain closer to Cape Point itself are well exposed to the cooling influence of the ocean and have made a speciality of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.

30
Q

The warmer sites in Constantia are planted to what grape varieties?

A

Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon

31
Q

Constantia’s famous dessert wine, Vin de Constance, is made from what grape variety?

A

late-harvested Muscat

32
Q

The Cape Doctor constantly cools the vineyards of which ward?

A

Constantia

33
Q

Which district in South Africa used to be viewed just as a place that made bulk wines but in recent years has changed its image to become a more quality-centered wine region, especially for its white blends?

A

Swartland

34
Q

Swartland has built its new reputation based on which grape varieties?

A

Old vine Chenin Blanc,
High-quality Syrah,
both of which are often dry-farmed (grown without irrigation), lowering yields but enhancing fruit concentration.

Premium Cape blends (both red and white)

35
Q

Swartland’s best vineyards are known for practicing what viticultural technique?

A

dry-farmed (grown without irrigation), lowering yields but enhancing fruit concentration

36
Q

Thanks to the Atlantic Ocean’s cool breezes, the Darling district has become successful in growing which grape variety?

A

This area built its reputation on Sauvignon Blanc
but now produces other varieties, and is a source of old vines.

37
Q

Which South African ward north of Cape Town is known for its hillsides, cooling sea breezes, and Sauvignon Blanc?

A

Durbanville

38
Q

Which district in Breede River Valley is known for growing grapes destined for distillation?

Which grapes here are used for distillation?

A

Worcester
The climate is hot and dry.
Irrigation, largely drawn from the river, is essential.
With fertile soils, this district can produce a significant proportion of South Africa’s annual production, mainly white wine from Chenin Blanc and Colombard.
Much of this wine is used for distillation but still Worcester is a reliable source of well - made red and white wines for high volume branded wines.

39
Q

How does the climate of the Robertson district compare to that of the Worcester district?

A

Robertson has a similar but slightly cooler climate to Worcester thanks to the south easterly winds that are drawn into the valley.

40
Q

Robertson district is known for producing quality wines from which grape varieties?

A

excellent Syrahs and full -bodied Chardonnays

41
Q

Which 2 districts in Cape South Coast have reputations for being cool areas, and what are the features that cool them?

A

Walker Bay (cooling influence from the ocean)
Elgin (altitude)

42
Q

Hemel-en-Aarde Ward has built a reputation as being a producer of some of South Africa’s finest wines made from _______ and _______.

A

Hemel-en-Aarde: Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs

+ Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Syrah

43
Q

What grapes perform best in the Elgin District?

A

intense, fresh Sauvignon Blancs,
promise for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah

44
Q

Which ward of South Africa is located at the southern tip of the Western Cape?

A

Elim

45
Q

Elim is gaining a reputation for crafting which two grape varieties?

A

pungent, herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc
Syrah

Vins (40 decks)

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