Ch. 30 – South Africa Flashcards

1
Q

South Africa general

A

History of more than 360 years

  • bulk wine (KWN coop)
  • high yield varieties - Chenin Blanc, Colombard, Cinsaut
  • grapes for brandy industry

Modern industry transformed in 1994 - first democratic elections

Large export market (22mil L in 1992 to 450mil L 2017)
- low prices for inexpensive wines

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2
Q

Climate

A

warm Mediterranean (generalization)

  • strongly influenced by mountain ranges, slopes and aspects
  • cooled by proximity to ocean

cold Benguela current from South Pole
warm Mozambique current from Indian Ocean
- large temp. difference between ocean and land causes coastal fog and breezes

Cape Doctor - south easterly wind during spring and summer, extends impact of Benguela current

  • lower disease pressure
  • some rain
  • damage to leaves and disrups flowering

Spring frost can be problem
Vines can fail to be dormant over winter

Rain

  • mainly between May and August
  • Stellenbosch 700mm
  • decreased in north - less impact of Benguela current + protection of the mountains
  • irrigation essential (drip) access is issue
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3
Q

Currents and winds

A

cold Benguela current from South Pole

warm Mozambique current from Indian Ocean
- large temp. difference between ocean and land causes coastal fog and breezes

Cape Doctor - south easterly wind during spring and summer, extends impact of Benguela current

  • lower disease pressure
  • some rain
  • damage to leaves and disrups flowering
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4
Q

Grape varieties

A
Chenin Blanc 20%
Colombard 12%
Cabernet Sauvignon 11%
Syrah 10%
Sauvignon Blanc 10%
Pinotage 7%
Chardonnay 7%
Merlot 6%
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5
Q

Pinotage

A

bred at University of Stellenbosch in 1925

Pinot Noir x Cinsaut (first known as Hermitage)

Early budding
Moderately susceptible to fungal diseases

Reaches high sugar in small berries (potential high alcohol with deep colour) requires only short time on skins

High proportion of new oak is quite common

Poor reputation for quality in past

  • needs better vineyard practise and winemaking
  • avoiding water stress and high ferment temperature
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6
Q

Soils

A

3 main types:

Table Mountain sandstone

  • sand with low nutrient and water retention
  • Irrigation and fertilization

Granite

  • foothills of slopes in hilly areas
  • good water-retention
  • potential for dry-farming

Shale

  • good nutrient levels
  • good water retention
  • potential for dry-farming

Mosly excessively acid and require heavy adjustments with lime
- otherwise nutrients would not be available - low yield

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7
Q

Vineyard management

A

Usually low density with more fruit per vine
- some high quality producers plant closer

Most comon training

  • Cordon with VSP
  • Short spur pruning for mechanization

Picking mainly by hand (availability of labour)

Problems with viral diseases

  • leafroll and fanleaf virus
  • Powdery mildew

Yields depend on irrigation, density, age of vine

Organic/biodynamic is rare but integrated pest management is very common

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8
Q

Association promoting Integrated pest management

A

Integrated Production of Wine

  • governs all aspects of growing and winemaking
  • carbon emissions
  • staff trainings
  • conservation of soil, rivers and wetlands

90% of producers

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9
Q

Production of high volume inexpensive Chenin Blanc

A

High yields
Vineyards are sprayed regularly
Minimal or no sorting
May be blended with up to 15% of less valuable variety (Colombard)
Acidification common
No Malo (preserving acidity)
Cultured yeast
Cool ferment in steel or concrete (primary fruit)
Rested in steel or old oak (chips or staves can be added)
Residual sugar may be adjusted by adding concentrated grape must
Stabilization, fining, filtering
Often transported in bulk and bottled in final market

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10
Q

Production of small volume premium Chenin Blanc

A
Low yields (often old, dry farmed)
Small amount of botrytis can be allowed
Careful sorting
100% Chenin Blanc
Acidification usually avoided
No malo (acidity retention)
Ambient or cultured yeast
Cool ferment in inert vessel (old barrels, eggs, amphora) or fermented in oak for better oak integration
Lees ageing for 3-9 months (or 10-12 months for more oaked style) 
Varying amount of new oak
Battonage if richer style is desired
Bottled without adjustment of sugar
Stabilized, light fining, filtering as required
Bottled in South Africa
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11
Q

Expression of Chenin Blanc

A

Med to pronounced intensity
- ripe yellow apple, peach, tropical fruit

High acidity
Med alcohol and body

May have vanilla and toast aroma from oak

Producers: DeMorgenzon, Ken Forrester

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12
Q

Difference between traditional and modern style of Pinotage

A

Traditional

  • fuller bodied, more tannic
  • kept on skins for 3-5 days post-ferment
  • deep ruby with red plum and blackberry fruit, high tannins, full body, high alcohol

Modern

  • lighter, more elegant
  • might be grown on cooler sites and picked at lower ripeness
  • typically not macerated on skins post-ferment
  • med ruby, red fruit aroma, medium tannins
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13
Q

Difference in ageing of inexpensive and premium Pinotage

A

Inexpensive

  • stainless steel or used barrels
  • oak alternatives may be added
  • released early - 6-12 months after vintage

Premium

  • aged for extended period (12-15 months) in French oak barriques (often more than 50% new)
  • Released two years after vintage
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14
Q

‘Big six’ varieties

A

grown in almost all regions

Chenin Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay
Cabernet Sauvignon 
Shiraz
Pinotage

Single varietal and blends

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15
Q

3 main blends in South Africa

A

White Cape blends
- Chenin dominated but with Rhone varieties, Chardonnay, Semillon or Sauvignon Blanc

Red Bordeaux blends

Red Cape blends

  • broader category
  • significant proportion of Pinotage and/or black Rhone varieties

Cap Classique sparkling wines
Botrytis-affected wines and fortified wines

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16
Q

Wine law - certification

A

Wine of Origin

Geographical unit 
 - very large areas (Western Cape - almost all vineyards)
Region 
 - large areas named after major feature
 - Coastal Region 
District 
 - Stellenbosch, Walker Bay
 - based on common soils, climate (in broader sense than wards)
Ward
 - defined area within district 
   (some wards relate to region)
 - Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
 - based on common soils, climate and ecological factors
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17
Q

Requirement for ‘estate wines’

A

grown, made and bottled on the estate

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18
Q

Requirement for ‘single vinayard’ wines

A

Vineyard has to be registered, planted with single variety and not be larger than 6ha

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19
Q

Wine of Origin requirement

A

Packaging is true
for example Swartland
- 100% grapes from Swartland
- 85% of wine must be from given vintage
- 85% of wine must be of claimed variety

Ensuring good quality

All wines must be certified with seal with identification number on the packaging

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20
Q

South African wine regions

A
Olifants River
Coastal Region
Cape South Coast
Breede River Valley
Klein Karoo Region
21
Q

Districts and Wards in Coastal region

A
Cape Town
 - Constantia
 - Durbanville
Stellenbosch
 - Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Paarl
 - Voor Paardeberg
 - Simonsberg-Paarl
Darling
Swartland
Tulbag
Wellington
22
Q

Districts and Wards in Breede River Valley Region

A

Breedekloof
Worcester
Robertson

23
Q

Districts and Wards in Cape South Coast Region

A
Walker Bay
 - Hemel-en-Aarde
 - Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
 - Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
 - Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
 - Bot River
Elgin
24
Q

Coastal region general

A

45% of area under vine but only 25% of production (low yields)

25
Q

Cape town district wards

A

Constantia

Durbanville

26
Q

Constantia ward

A

(Cape Town district)
wine history back to 1685

Vin de Constance from Klein Constantia (dried Muscat sweet wine)

South-east facing slopes of Constantianberg

False Bay 10km away bringing cool sea breezes
Low vigour granite over sandstone - good drainage
Relatively high rainfall 1000mm
Windy conditions

Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet, Shiraz (NO Pinot due windy conditions)

Small number of quality focused producers: Klein Constantia and Steenberg

27
Q

Durbanville ward

A

(Cape Town district)
includes northern suburbs of Cape Town

Shale soils of Tygerberg hills, East facing vineyards in 100-300m
Rainfall 500mm (due to protection from Tygerberg hills)

High water retention soils - dry farming

Cooling breezes from False Bay in summer until evening mist rollls in.

Sauvignon Blanc (cooler sites - greener flavours)

Producers: Bloemendal and Diemersdal

28
Q

Stellenbosch District

A

Stellenbosch University

Oldest region after Constantia

Established reputation for high quality wine (especially Cabernet and blends + Shiraz, Chenin Blanc)

  • cooler mountain slopes
  • varied soils
  • breezes from False Bay

Valley floor (sand with alluvial soils) hills (granite and shale)

Rainfall 600-900mm

Picking time and yield plays important role in style and body

Base region of Distell (SA largest wine and spirit producer)

Cabernet, Merlot, Pinotage
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnnay, Chenin Blanc

Producers: Rust en Vrede and Raats Family Wines

Ward: Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

29
Q

Ward Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

A

South-west of lower slopes of Simonsberg.

  • warmer (further from False Bay)
  • still open to ocean breezes - high diurnal range

Recognised for Cabernet Sauvignon (also blends) and Pinotage

Producers: Kanonkop and Rustenberg

30
Q

District Paarl

A

Many mesoclimates, soils and aspects - variety of styles and grapes
- distinct ripeness and fuller body (compared to Stellenbosch)

Rainfall 800-900mm

Berg River (source of irrigation water)

Chenin Blanc, Cabernet, Shiraz, Pinotage
Viognier, Mourvedre

Wards: Voor Paardeberg and Simonsberg-Paarl

Producers: Nederburg (part of Distell), Vilafonte (premium)

31
Q

Ward Simonsberg-Paarl

A

Slightly higher elevation than the rest of Paarl

  • higher diurnal range
  • longer and slightly cooler ripening season

Chardonnay (distinct freshness and intensity)
Shiraz and red blends

Producers: Glen Carlou, Plaisir de Merle

32
Q

District Franschhoek Valley

A

wrapped on three sides by mountains

  • shelter and warmth
  • fresher fruit (blending component)

Valley floor (300m) to slopes (600)

Cooler climate and higher diurnal range

800mm of rain but free draining soils
- irrigation required

Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet, Shiraz
Old vine Semillon (over 100 years)

Producers: Boekenhoutskloof, Cape Chamonix

33
Q

District Darling

A

Many different aspects

  • benefit from ocean breezes
  • often compared to Durbanville

Sauvignon Blanc
Fresher reds - Cabernet, Shiraz, Merlot

Granite with high water holding capacity
- dry farming and bush wines

Producers: Neil Ellis, Groote Post

34
Q

District Swartland

A

Warm dry climate (500mm)

  • good proportion of rain in growing season
  • irrigation for higher yields
  • old wines and low yields (famous for)

Low fertility soils, granite and shale

Split between cooperatives (high yields, inexpensive)
- Perdeberg Wines and Riebeek Cellars
or talented winemakers
- Spice Route winery, Eben Sadie, Mullineux
- low yields, dry farming, often organic, old vines, ambient yeast, maturation in old oak

Centre of high quality wines together with Stellenbosch

Source of fruit for premium Western Cape white and red blends
Big six varieties and Cinsaut, Mourvedre, Marsanne, Roussanne, Semillon, Grenache Blanc, Viognier

35
Q

District Tulbagn

A

No coastal influences
- very warm, dry, sheltered valley surrounded by horseshoe-shaped mountain range

Cooling influences

  • altitude (400-500m)
  • shade from mountains
  • trapping cold morning air in the valley

Good water holding capacity of soil (and collecting rain fall water in ponds - irrigation) are key to success

Chenin, Shiraz, Colombard

History of inexpensive production

Producers: Saronberg

36
Q

District Wellington

A

Reputation for Shiraz and powerful red blends

Alluvial terraces

Mesoclimates in Hawequa mountains

Many nurseries

Producers: Bosman Family Vineyards

37
Q

Breede River Valley Region general

A

warm and dry
- irrigation from Breede River

Produces most wine in SA at high yields (also high quality producers)

Also grapes for distillation

38
Q

District Breedekloof

A

Adequate rainfall (successful without irrigation)

Winter snow - spring frost can damage buds

Warm continental climate (allows longer hang time)

Cooling summer south-east winds moderate temperatures and reduce fungal diseases

Varied soil types and aspects

Chenin, Colombard, Chardonnay, Pinotage, Shiraz, Cabernet

Cooperative Du Toiskloof Cellars and Deetlefs

39
Q

District Worcester

A

very low rainfall (400mm) due to rain shadow
- irrigation necessary

Loamy soils are very fertile (high volume production)

Grapes for distilling

Colombard, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Shiraz

40
Q

District Robertson

A

Warm, very low rainfall
- irrigation necessary

South-east winds

  • cooling influence
  • moisture from Indian ocean

Relatively fertile flat lands (high yields)
(historically grapes for distillation)

Limestone (unusual for SA) - Chardonnay (still, sparkling)

Colombard, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc
Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon

Producers: Robertson Winery, Graham Beck (sparkling wine), De Wetshof (pioneer in Chardonnay)

41
Q

Olifant River Region

A
Very dry (some parts below 200mm) warm climate
 - irrigation from Olifant River
High yields (distillation) 
Namaqua Wines (inexpensive successful producer)

Few wards produce wine from dry farmed old vines made into wine by prestigious producers in other regions.

450-500m, aspect and cooling influence from Atlantic make good conditions for quality wine
- Sadie Family Wines, Alheit Vineyards

42
Q

Cape South Coast Region general

A

Strongly influenced by cooling inflence of Atlantic

Suitable for Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Known for quality wines (but very recently planted 1990s on)

43
Q

District Walker Bay

A

Cool region immediately next to Atlantic

Pioneering plantings of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (Tim Hamilton-Russell)

Wards:

  • Hemel-en-Aarde
  • Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
  • Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
  • Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
  • Bot River
44
Q

Ward Hemel-en-Aarde

+ 3 wards within this ward

A

Part of Walker River

Hemel-en-Aarde (collective name for 3 wards)

  • cooling winds reduce risk of over-ripening and reduce vigour
  • mainly Northern aspect (helps with ripeness in cool areas)
  • high proportion of clay
  • Chardonnay and Pinot Noir mainly + big six + Albarino, Viognier

Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

  • lowest altitude, closest to Atlantic
  • Fresher, brighter with distinct ripeness
  • Producer: Bouchard Finlayson

Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

  • Higher elevation
  • Producer: Newton Johnson Family Vineyards

Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge

  • Deeper inland
  • coldest, highest (face south and east)
  • Babylonstoren Mountains act as cloud trap, collecting moisture, providing shade
  • Producer: Creation
45
Q

Ward Bot River

A

Walker Bay district

From Bot River Lagoon which funnels cold winds up to the slopes of nearby mountain range.

Cooler than Paarl or Stellenbosch

Relatively long growing season

  • brighter, fresher styles of Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin
  • enough warm to ripen Rhone varieties and Pinotage

Producer: Beaumont

46
Q

District Elgin

A

inland plateau 200-400m

Considerably cooler climate than rest of SA

  • Altitude, cloud cover, cooling influence from ocean
  • cold nights, cooling summer breezes
  • slow growing season
  • more elegance and acidity

Plenty of rainfall (over 1000mm)
- possibility of botrytised wines

Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Shiraz

Producers: Paul Cluver, Richard Kershaw Wines (super-premium Chardonnay)

47
Q

Klein Karoo Region

A

best known for port-style wines from portugese varieties

Fortified Muscats

Chenin Blanc and Colombard for brandy industry

48
Q

Initiatives and organisations

A

Integrated Production of Wine

  • audited set of guidelines for sustainable farming
  • 95% of SA growers

Biodiversity and Wine Initiative (90%)
- replaced by:
WWF-SA Conservation Champion Programme
- Commits to biodiversity conservation

Integrity and Sustainability

Sustainable Wine South Africa

The Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trace Association
- around 50%

Fairtrade
- SA is largest producer of Fairtrade wine globally (accounts for 2/3 of Fairtrade wine sales)

49
Q

Wine Business

A

Democracy since 1994

  • trade sanctions removed
  • open to export
  • focus to quality

Wines of South Africa promotional body

50% of wine sold in home market

  • value packaging (1litre bricks) are popular
  • Distell group dominates the market (40% by volume)

Success of export

  • 22 mil litres (1992) to 450 mil litres (2017)
  • export to 135 countries
  • UK, Germany, USA, China, African countries
  • Average unit price still quite low

Bulk wine accounts for 61% of total export

  • jobs lost in finishing and packaging
  • farming often below sustaiable level of income