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Micky WSET Lv3 > C38 - South Africa - completed > Flashcards

C38 - South Africa - completed Flashcards

1
Q

Where are most of South Africa’s wine regions found?

A

Around the coast line of the Cape. (on the coast)

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2
Q

Why can South Africa produce a broad range of styles?

A

Proximity to the coast and the mountainous backdrop

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3
Q

What is the latitude range within which South Africa lies?

A

27° - 34˚ south of the equator

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4
Q

What should be the result of the latitude range of South Africa? Why does this not necessarily apply?

A
  • It should be hot

- Vineyards here are subject to cooling influences

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5
Q

Where does South Africa’s most important cooling influence come from?

A

The Southern Ocean

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6
Q

Describe the Benguela Current and its effects

A
  • It is cold

- It flows up from the Antarctic, past the tip and up the west coast of Africa, cooling coastal areas

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7
Q

How is the cooling effect of the Benguela Current magnified?

A

By the Cape Doctor

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8
Q

Describe the Cape Doctor

A
  • A regular, strong, south-easterly summer wind

- Brings air cooled b the ocean further inland and can reduce temperatures by a further couple of degrees in some areas

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9
Q

What is South Africa’s second cooling influence?

A

The mountain ranges that run through the wine regions

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10
Q

What do the mountain ranges of South Africa offer producers?

A
  • A dramatic range of different altitudes and aspects

- A multitude of different soils

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11
Q

What is the influence of altitude on winemaking in South Africa?

A
  • It has a marked impact on vineyard climate
  • Higher altitudes are cooler
  • Lower altitudes are warmer
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12
Q

What kind of aspect may be seen as preferable in South Africa? Why?

A
  • Southern aspects

- To benefit from cooler temperatures

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13
Q

Other than aspect and altitude, how else may mountains affect cooling in South Africa?

A

They may cast shadows over vineyards at certain times of the day

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14
Q

What secondary effect may mountain ranges have on cooling in South Africa nearer the coast?

A

They can help channel the winds through the vineyards

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15
Q

What is the most widely planted black variety in South Africa?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon

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16
Q

How may Cabernet Sauvignon be used in wines in South Africa?

A

Either as a varietal wine or in a blend with Merlot and Cabernet Franc for Bordeaux-style blends

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17
Q

What style of wine can Merlot produce in South Africa?

A

Full-bodied, plummy wines

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18
Q

What are the main black varieties of South Africa?

A
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Merlot
  • Syrah
  • Pinot Noir
  • Pinotage
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19
Q

Beside the Bordeaux varieties, what is the next most planted black variety in South Africa?

A

Syrah

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20
Q

Describe Syrah wines from hot climates in South Africa

A
  • Rich and full-bodied
  • High alcohol
  • Ripe black fruit flavours
  • Sometimes earthy or meaty character
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21
Q

How does Syrah from cooler areas of South Africa differ from those of the warmer climes?

A
  • Less full-bodied

- Peppery

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22
Q

Describe Pinot Noir’s role in South Africa

A
  • Less tolerant of the hot South African climate

- Planted in small amounts in the coolest coastal areas

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23
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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24
Q

Which varieties were crossed to make Pinotage?

A

Pinot Noir x Cinsault

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25
Q

Where was Pinotage developed?

A

South Africa

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26
Q

What is notable about the role of Pinotage in South Africa?

A

It’s hardly grown anywhere else in the world

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27
Q

What style is Pinotage made into?

A

It’s made in a range of styles

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28
Q

What is a ‘Cape blend’?

A

Where Pinotage is blended with international varieties

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29
Q

What are the three most popular 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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30
Q

How is Pinotage often marketed?

A

Often to highlight its unique style (dependent on what style its been vinified to)

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31
Q

What is the most widely planted variety (of either colour) in South Africa?

A

Chenin Blanc

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32
Q

Describe the importance of Chenin Blanc as a variety in South Africa

A

It’s the most widely planted grape, but in decline

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33
Q

What style is Chenin Blanc made into in South Africa

A

Dry and sweet styles

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34
Q

Describe basic wines from Chenin Blanc in South Africa

A

Easy drinking with simple stone-fruit flavours

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35
Q

What is the increasing trend when making Chenin Blanc wine in South Africa?

A

An increasing number of producers are making Chenin Blanc from old bush vines

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36
Q

What can be the effect on wine of making Chenin Blanc from old bush vines?

A

It can offer more concentrated and complex flavours and a fuller texture

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37
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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38
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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39
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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40
Q

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

A

The coolest sites

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41
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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42
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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43
Q

Describe Chardonnay quality in South Africa

A

It can be exceptional

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44
Q

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

A

The cooler sites

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45
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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46
Q

What is Muscat of Alexandria called in South Africa?

A

Hanepoot

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47
Q

What is Hanepoot used for in South Africa?

A

Late-harvest dessert wines

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48
Q

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

A

Noble rot can have an influence

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49
Q

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

A

Viognier

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50
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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51
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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52
Q

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

A

The Western Cape

53
Q

What are the most important regions of the Western Cape?

A
  • Coastal Region
  • Breede River Valley
  • Cape South Coast
54
Q

Where does the majority of wine NOT from the Western Cape come from in South Africa?

A

Orange River in the Northern Cape

55
Q

Briefly describe conditions in Orange River

A

Very hot and irrigated

56
Q

What is wine from Orange River mostly known for?

A

Mostly inexpensive whites thet are rarely seen on export markets

57
Q

In South Africa, some wineries located in certain districts or wards may source their fruit from…How may these wines be labelled?

A
  • 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

58
Q

Where is the Stellenbosch region?

A

From just inland of the coast at Somerset West right up into the mountains that surround the town of Stellenbosch itself

59
Q

What is the long-time hub of fine wine in South Africa?

A

Stellenbosch

60
Q

Describe the climate of Stellenbosch

A
  • Moderate to warm depending on location
  • Sufficient rain in winter
  • Summers rarely too hot
61
Q

Why are summers rarely too hot in Stellenbosch?

A

Thanks to cool winds from False Bay that are funnelled by the mountains into the valleys

62
Q

What is largely credited for the success of Stellenbosch as a wine growing district?

A

The variety of altitude, aspect and soil that’s available in such a relatively small area

63
Q

What has Stellenbosch built a reputation for in recent years?

A

Top class reds

64
Q

What reds in particular has Stellenbosch built a reputation for?

A
  • Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (often made into Bordeaux-style blends)
  • Syrah
  • Cape red blends
65
Q

What can the cooler sites in Stellenbosch produce?

A
  • High quality Sauvignon Blanc

- Chardonnay

66
Q

Describe the Paarl district

A

A large district to the north of Stellenbosch

67
Q

Describe the climate in Paarl

A
  • Less exposed to the cooling influences of the sea, being further inland
  • Temperatures hotter in summer
  • Cooler night-time temperatures
68
Q

Describe the vineyards of Paarl

A

Variety of altitudes, aspects and soils offered by mountainous terrain

69
Q

What are the most important reds of Paarl?

A
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Syrah
  • Pinotage
70
Q

What are the most planted whites of Paarl?

A

Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay

71
Q

What is noteworthy about the Constantia ward?

A

It has some of the oldest vineyards in the Cape

72
Q

Where is the Constantia ward?

A

In the Cape Peninsula

73
Q

How are the vineyards of Constantia Ward located?

A

On the eastern flanks of Table Mountain

74
Q

How is temperature constantly moderated in the vineyards of Constantia?

A

By the Cape Doctor

75
Q

What do the producers of Cape Doctor have a particular reputation for?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

76
Q

What is the name of the sweet wine produced from late-harvested Muscat in Constantia?

A

Vin de Constance

77
Q

Describe the vineyards south of Table Mountain and the grapes they’re famous for

A
  • Closer to Cape Point
  • Well exposed to the cooling influence of the ocean
  • Made a speciality of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon
78
Q

What is planted in the warmer sites south of Table Mountain in Constantia?

A

Some Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon

79
Q

Which district lies to the north of Cape Town?

80
Q

What is Swartland’s reputation in the past?

A

As a source of inexpensive grapes and wine

81
Q

What is the new reputation of Swartland?

A

As a centre of innovation and premium wine production

82
Q

Swartland is recognised particularly as a source of …and…

A
  • Old-vine Chenin Blanc

- High-quality Syrah

83
Q

What does ‘dry-farming’ mean?

A

Growing without irrigation

84
Q

What is the effect of dry-farming Chenin Blanc and Syrah (as in Swartland)?

A

It lowers yields but enhances fruit concentration

85
Q

Besides Chenin and Syrah, what else also comes from Swartland district?

A

A number of premium Cape blends (red and white)

86
Q

What is to the south-west of Swartland?

A

The Darling district

87
Q

Describe the climate in the Darling district

A

Its position near the coast means it receives cooling sea breezes

88
Q

For what does the Darling district have its reputation?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

89
Q

What is Darling’s similarity with Swartland?

A

It is a source of old vines

90
Q

What/where is Durbanville?

A

A ward in the Tygerberg district

91
Q

What are sites like in Durbanville?

A
  • Offers hillside sites north of Cape Town

- Cooled by sea breezes that also blow through the Cape Point

92
Q

Durbanville has built a reputation for…

A

Sauvignon Blanc

93
Q

What are the most important districts of Breede River Valley?

A
  • Worcester District

- Robertson District

94
Q

Where in Breede River Valley is Worcester district?

A

At the western end of Breede River Valley

95
Q

Describe the climate in the Worcester district

A

Hot and dry

96
Q

What is the result of the climate in the Worcester district?

A

Irrigation from the river is essential

97
Q

What are the soils like in Breede River Valley?

98
Q

What is the role of the Worcester district in South Africa’s wine production?

A

It can produce a significant proportion of South Africa’s annual production

99
Q

What is the majority of Worcester district wine made from?

A

Chenin Blanc and Colombard

100
Q

Much of wine from Worcester district is used for…

A

Distillation

101
Q

Other than wine for distillation, what else is Worcester district reputablefor?

A

Red and white, high-volume, branded wines

102
Q

Where is the Robertson district?

A

To the east of Worcester

103
Q

What is the climate of Robertson district?

A

Similar but slightly cooler climate than Worcester district

104
Q

Why is it cooler in Robertson district than Worcester district?

A

Thanks to south-easterly winds that are drawn into the valley

105
Q

Of what is Robertson district a reliable source?

A

Well-made wines for high-volume brands

106
Q

Besides high-volume wines, what else can be made in Robertson district?

A

Excellent Syrahs and full-bodied Chardonnays

107
Q

What is the most southerly region of South Africa?

A

Cape South Coast

108
Q

What is the reputation of the Cape South Coast area?

A

It is a regular source of some of the best fruit and wines in South Africa

109
Q

What is the best-established vineyard area of Cape South Coast area?

A

Walker Bay district

110
Q

What is contained within Walker Bay district?

A

The various wards of Hemel-en-Aarde

111
Q

What is home to some of South Africa’s best Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs?

A

Hemel-en-Aarde

112
Q

What is also grown in Hemel-en-Aarde with great success (besides Pinot Noir and Chardonnay)?

A
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Merlot
  • Syrah
113
Q

What is to the north-west of Walker Bay?

A

The Elgin district

114
Q

What is the important cooling influence in Elgin district?

115
Q

For what does Elgin district have a particular reputation?

A

Intense, fresh Sauvignon Blancs

116
Q

Besides SB, which varieties are showing promise in Elgin district?

A
  • Pinot Noir
  • Chardonnay
  • Syrah
117
Q

What is to the south-east of Walker Bay?

A

The Elim ward (in the Cape Agulhas district)

118
Q

For what does the Elim ward have aparticular reputation?

A
  • Pungent, herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc

- Syrah is also showing promise

119
Q

What is the name of South Africa’s GI system?

A

The Wine of Origin Scheme (W.O.)

120
Q

What will wines stating Wine of Origin (W.O.) also carry?

A

A certification seal

121
Q

How many different sizes of production area does South African law recognise? What are they?

A 
Four:
1- Geographical Unit
2- Regions
3- Districts
4- Wards
122
Q

What is the only geographical unit in South Africa of any importance to wine?

A

Western Cape

123
Q

What is the advantage of the Western Cape appellation?

A

It allows producers to blend the best parcels of fruit from different areas

124
Q

What is the tendency as to how regions are defined in South Africa?

A

They follow dominant geological features

125
Q

What are the most important regions for wine grape-growing in South Africa?

A
  • Coastal Region
  • Breede River Valley
  • Cape South Coast
126
Q

What are the rules behind labelling wines as Estate Wines in South Africa?

A
  • 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
127
Q

What does Estate Wine law allow in South Africa?

A

It allows top producers to release Estate Wines AND other W.O. wines under their brand name

128
Q

What does IPW stand for in South Africa and what does it mean?

A
  • Integrated Production of Wine (IPW)

- It’s a voluntary sustainable agriculture scheme

Micky WSET Lv3 (46 decks)

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