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WSET 3 - Geoff > C38 - South Africa > Flashcards

C38 - South Africa Flashcards

1
Q

Why can South Africa produce a broad range of styles?

A

Proximity to the coast and the mountainous backdrop

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2
Q

Discuss South Africa climate and grape growing

A

Latitude range: 27° - 34˚ south of the equator

Climate show be hot but many Vineyards here are subject to cooling influences

  • Cold Benguela current from Antartic cooling coastal areas
  • Magnified by Cape Doctor - strong and regular southeastern winds
  • Mountain range throughout the wine regions
    • providing range of altitude, aspects, soils and therefore climates
    • Wine planted on southern slopes to benefits from coooler temperatures
    • Can cast shadows overnearby vineyards, giving slifhtly cooler temp
    • can channel winds near the coast through the vineyards
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3
Q

Discuss black variety in South Africa

A

Cabernet Sauvignon - Most planted,

  • Blended with Merlot and Cabernet Franc for Bordeaux style

Merlot - produces full body, plummy wines

Syrah - widely planted

  • Hot areas: Rich and full-bodied, high alcohol, ripe black fruit flavours, sometimes earthy or meaty character
  • Cooler areas: peppery and less full-bodied

Pinot Noir - Less tolerant of the hot climate ⇒ Planted in small amounts in the coolest coastal areas

Pinotage - Pinot Noir x Cinsault crossing

  • Developed in South Africa, hardly grown elsewhere
  • Cape blend = Pinotage blended with international varieties
  • made in a range of styles
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4
Q

What is the role of oak in the vinification of South African reds?

A

The vast majority of premium reds are matured in oak At least a proportion of new barrels used for toasty aromas

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5
Q

Which varieties were crossed to make Pinotage?

A

Pinot Noir x Cinsault

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6
Q

What are the styles of Pinotage, single-varietal wine?

A

Light, fruity style with red berry flavours

Full-bodied from old bush vines, with rich, spiced berry fruit

Intense coffee and chocolate aromas when fermented and/or stored with heavily toasted oak staves

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7
Q

Discuss white grapes varieties in South Africa

A

Chenin Blanc - most planted but in decline

  • Dry and sweet wines
  • Easy drinking with simple stone-fruit flavours
  • An increasing number of producers are using Chenin from old bush vines ⇒ more concentrated & complex flavours, fuller texture
  • Barrel fermentation to give extra body and toasty oak flavours

Colombard - second most planted - large portion used for brandy

Sauvignon Blanc -

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8
Q

What may barrel fermentation and barrel ageing contribute to a Chenin Blanc in South Africa?

A

Extra body and toasty oak flavours

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9
Q

What is the second most widely planted white variety in South Africa? What is it used for?

A

Colombard

A significant portion is used in the production of brandy

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10
Q

What is a consistent feature between wines made from Sauvignon Blanc in South Africa?

A

They often have a herbaceous character

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11
Q

Where in South Africa do the best examples of Sauvignon Blanc come from?

A

The coolest sites

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12
Q

What kind of flavours/aromas might the best examples of Sauvignon Blanc display?

A

Very pure flavours of citrus and green fruit

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13
Q

How is the necessary acidity and flavours achieved in Sauvignon Blanc’s warmer sites in South Africa achieved?

A

By picking earlier

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14
Q

Describe Chardonnay quality in South Africa

A

It can be exceptional

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15
Q

Which sites in South Africa produce the best examples of Chardonnay?

A

The cooler sites

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16
Q

Describe big contributing factors in the character of South Africa’s best Chardonnays

A

The use of Burgundian techniques such as lees-stirring and barrel fermentation

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17
Q

What is Muscat of Alexandria called in South Africa?

A

Hanepoot

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18
Q

What is Hanepoot used for in South Africa?

A

Late-harvest dessert wines

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19
Q

Besides late-harvesting, how may South African dessert wines be sweetened?

A

Noble rot can have an influence

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20
Q

Plantings of which white grape have increased dramatically in South Africa over the last couple of decades?

A

Viognier

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21
Q

What is the usual style of Viognier wines from South Africa?

A

Rich, perfumed whites with a hint of toasty oak

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22
Q

Which style of wine has recently emerged in South Africa, particularly in Swartland?

A

High quality blends, often made from Chenin Blanc with Rhône varieties such as Marsanne, Rousanne, Grenache Blanc and Viognier

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23
Q

Where does well over 90% of wine made in South Africa come from?

A

The Western Cape

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24
Q

What are the most important regions of the Western Cape?

A

Coastal Region Breede River Valley Cape South Coast

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25
Where does the majority of wine NOT from the Western Cape come from in South Africa?
Orange River in the Northern Cape
26
Briefly describe conditions in Orange River
Very hot and irrigated
27
What is wine from Orange River mostly known for?
Mostly inexpensive whites the are rarely seen on export markets
28
In South Africa, some wineries located in certain districts or wards may source their fruit from... How may these wines be labelled?
A wider area than the GI in which they're located With a region or a geographical unit e.g. Coastal Region or Western Cape
29
Where is the Stellenbosch region?
From just inland of the coast at Somerset West right up into the mountains that surround the town of Stellenbosch itself
30
What is the long-time hub of fine wine in South Africa?
Stellenbosch
31
Describe the climate of Stellenbosch
Moderate to warm depending on location Sufficient rain in winter Summers rarely too hot
32
Why are summers rarely too hot in Stellenbosch?
Thanks to cool winds from False Bay that are funnelled by the mountains into the valleys
33
What is largely credited for the success of Stellenbosch as a wine growing district?
The variety of altitude, aspect and soil that's available in such a relatively small area
34
What has Stellenbosch built a reputation for in recent years?
Top class reds
35
What reds in particular has Stellenbosch built a reputation for?
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (often made into Bordeaux-style blends) Syrah Cape red blends
36
What can the cooler sites in Stellenbosch produce?
High quality Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay
37
Describe the Paarl district
A large district to the north of Stellenbosch
38
Describe the climate in Paarl
Less exposed to the cooling influences of the sea, being further inland Temperatures hotter in summer Cooler night-time temperatures
39
Describe the vineyards of Paarl
Variety of altitudes, aspects and soils offered by mountainous terrain
40
What are the most important reds of Paarl?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Pinotage
41
What are the most planted whites of Paarl?
Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay
42
What is noteworthy about the Constantia ward?
It has some of the oldest vineyards in the Cape
43
Where is the Constantia ward?
In the Cape Peninsula
44
How are the vineyards of Constantia Ward located?
On the eastern flanks of Table Mountain
45
How is temperature moderated in the vineyards of Constantia?
By the Cape Doctor
46
What do the producers of Cape Doctor have a particular reputation for?
Sauvignon Blanc
47
What is the name of the sweet wine produced from late-harvested Muscat in Constantia?
Vin de Constance
48
Describe the vineyards south of Table Mountain and the grapes they're famous for
Closer to Cape Point Well exposed to the cooling influence of the ocean Made a speciality of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon
49
What is planted in the warmer sites south of Table Mountain in Constantia?
Some Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon
50
Which district lies to the north of Cape Town?
Swartland
51
What is Swartland's formative reputation?
As a source of inexpensive grapes and wine
52
What is the new reputation of Swartland?
As a centre of innovation and premium wine production
53
Swartland is recognised particularly as a source of ...and...
Old-vine Chenin Blanc High-quality Syrah
54
What does 'dry-farming' mean?
Growing without irrigation
55
What is the effect of dry-farming Chenin Blanc and Syrah (as in Swartland)?
It lowers yields but enhances fruit concentration
56
Besides Chenin and Syrah, what else also comes from Swartland district?
A number of premium Cape blends (red and white)
57
What is to the south-west of Swartland?
The Darling district
58
Describe the climate in the Darling district
Its position near the coast means it receives cooling sea breezes
59
For what does the Darling district have its reputation?
Sauvignon Blanc
60
What is Darling's similarity with Swartland?
It is a source of old vines
61
What/where is Durbanville?
A ward in the Tygerberg district
62
What are sites like in Durbanville?
Offers hillside sites north of Cape Town Cooled by sea breezes that also blow through the Cape Point
63
Durbanville has built a reputation for...
Sauvignon Blanc
64
What are the most important districts of Breede River Valley?
Worcester District Robertson District
65
Where in Breede River Valley is Worcester district?
At the western end of Breede River Valley
66
Describe the climate in the Worcester district
Hot and dry
67
What is the result of the climate in the Worcester district?
Irrigation from the river is essential
68
What are the soils like in Breede River Valley?
Fertile
69
What is the role of the Worcester district in South Africa's wine production?
It can produce a significant proportion of South Africa's annual production
70
What is the majority of Worcester district wine made from?
Chenin Blanc and Colombard
71
Much of wine from Worcester district is used for...
Distillation
72
Other than wine for distillation, what else is Worcester district reputable for?
Red and white, high-volume, branded wines
73
Where is the Robertson district?
To the east of Worcester
74
What is the climate of Robertson district?
Similar but slightly cooler climate than Worcester district
75
Why is it cooler in Robertson district than Worcester district?
Thanks to south-easterly winds that are drawn into the valley
76
Of what is Robertson district a reliable source?
Well-made wines for high-volume brands
77
Besides high-volume wines, what else can be made in Robertson district?
Excellent Syrahs and full-bodied Chardonnays
78
What is the most southerly region of South Africa?
Cape South Coast
79
What is the reputation of the Cape South Coast area?
It is a regular source of some of the best fruit and wines in South Africa
80
What is the best-established vineyard area of Cape South Coast area?
Walker Bay district
81
What is contained within Walker Bay district?
The various wards of Hemel-en-Aarde
82
What is home to some of South Africa's best Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs?
Hemel-en-Aarde
83
What is also grown in Hemel-en-Aarde with great success (besides Pinot Noir and Chardonnay)?
Sauvignon Blanc Merlot Syrah
84
What is to the north-west of Walker Bay?
The Elgin district
85
What is the important cooling influence in Elgin district?
Altitude
86
For what does Elgin district have a particular reputation?
Intense, fresh Sauvignon Blancs
87
Besides SB, which varieties are showing promise in Elgin district?
Pinot Noir Chardonnay Syrah
88
What is to the south-east of Walker Bay?
The Elim ward (in the Cape Agulhas district)
89
For what does the Elim ward have a particular reputation?
Pungent, herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc Syrah is also showing promise
90
What is the name of South Africa's GI system?
The Wine of Origin Scheme (W.O.)
91
What will wines stating Wine of Origin (W.O.) also carry?
A certification seal
92
How many different sizes of production area does South African law recognise? What are they?
Four Geographical Unit Regions Districts Wards
93
What is the only geographical unit in South Africa of any importance to wine?
Western Cape
94
What is the advantage of the Western Cape appellation?
It allows producers to blend the best parcels of fruit from different areas
95
What is the tendency as to how regions are defined in South Africa?
They follow dominant geological features
96
What are the most important regions for wine grape-growing in South Africa?
Coastal Region Breede River Valley Cape South Coast
97
What are the rules behind labelling wines as Estate Wines in South Africa?
Must come from a single estate All grapes must come from estate vineyards that cover a single geographical area Estate must have facilities on their land allowing them to process the grapes and the wine up to and including bottling
98
What does Estate Wine law allow in South Africa?
It allows top producers to release Estate Wines AND other W.O. wines under their brand name
99
What does IPW stand for in South Africa and what does it mean?
Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) It's a voluntary sustainable agriculture scheme

WSET 3 - Geoff (45 decks)

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