Ch 39 Flashcards
How does the Benguela Current influence climate and grape growing in South Africa?
The cold Benguela Current flows up from the Antarctic running past the tip and up the west coast of Africa, thus cooling coastal areas.
The strong south-easterly summer winds (known as the Cape Doctor) magnify the effect of the Benguela Current bringing air cooled by the ocean further inland and can reduce temperatures by a couple of degrees in some areas.
What is the other defining feature, other than the Benguela Current that influences wine growing?
The prominent mountain ranges that run throughout the wine regions produces a dramatic range of different altitudes and aspects, as well as a number of different soils. This results in a range of different site climates.
Which is the most widely planted black variety in South Africa and what style wine is produced?
Cabernet Sauvignon is most widely planted and is blended with Merlot and Cabernet Franc for Bordeaux-style blends.
Describe the Syrah grown in South Africa.
Syrah is widely planted and in the hot climate produces rich, full-bodied reds often high in alcohol and display ripe, black fruit flavors, sometimes with a meaty, earthy character.
Syrah is also grown in cooler areas and produces less full-bodied peppery examples.
Describe South African grown Pinot Noir.
Pinot Noir is less tolerant of the hot climate and is planted in small amounts in the coolest coastal areas.
The vast majority of premium wines are matured in oak, with at least a proportion of new barrels to give toasty aromas.
Describe Pinotage.
Pinotage, a crossing of Pinot Noir X Cinsault, is the only other significant planted black variety. the crossing was developed in South Africa and is hardly grown outside South Africa.
Describe the styles of Pinotage wines made.
Pinotage is sometimes blended with international varieties to make a ‘Cape Blend’.
Pinotage can be made in a light fruity style with red berry flavors and wines from old bush vines may be very full-bodied, with rich, spiced, berry fruit.
When fermented and/or stored with heavily toasted oak staves, it can take on intense coffee or chocolate aromas. Are often marketed to highlight their unique style and are very popular with some consumers.
Margaret River- describe climate?
Western Australia –> ______
- south of Perth
- Coastal warm, Maritime, high rain in winter
Margaret River - what grows here?
CAB SAUV- sometime Bordeaux blend, -produces elegant, retrained to fruity CHARD - displays stone fruit -can be oaked and MLF SAUV BLANC SEMILLON
Great Southern - what sub regions does this include?
Western Australia –> _______
-includes Mont Barker
Frankland River
Great Southern - what grows here?
CAB SAUV- for color
SHRIZ - peppery
RIESLING- Floral
Tasmania- what is the climate
- cool maritime climate
- cooled by westerly winds from the southern ocean
- generally free from extremes
- prime source of sparkling wine
Tasmaia- what is this know for?
- prime source of sparkling wines for Australia
- PN, Chard, Sauv Balnc and P Gris
Heathcote - where is this?
Victoria –> ____
Center of Victoria
-influenced here is from Altitude
Heathcote- what grows here?
SHIRAZ- firmer structure, fresh fruity flavor CHARD CAB SAUV Sangiovesee Temprinillo
Goulburn Valley - where is this and what grows here
Victoria –> ____
east of Heathcote
-heat is mitigated by lakes and creeks associate w/ ______ river
Shiraz and Marsanne
Hunter Valley- where is this and what is climate?
New south Wales –> ____
- hot humid
- high cloud cover and ocean breeze
- suffers rain at harvest
- good canopy mgt essential
What are grapes grown in Hunter Valley?
SEMILLON- lt body, L ABV, H Acid, netural flavor, young
aged- toast, nut, honey
CHARD- oaked and not oaked
SHIRAZ- black fruit, soft tannin, M body, earthy
Western Australia
these are the only wines not part of the Supper Zone
- Margaret River
- Great Southern
Morning Peninsula- where is this, climate, what grows here?
Victoria-->\_\_\_\_ -south of Melborn -moderate maritime climate -cool wet, windy weather at flowering and often at harvest -can vary vintage to vintage PN and CHARD
Geelong- where is this?
Victoria–> ____
- west of Melborn
- moderate maritime climate
Geelong - what grows here
CHARD- high quality, complex, concentrated fruit
PN - earthy
SHIRAZ- fresh, peppery
PN and CHARD - sparkling
Yarra Valley- where is this- what climate
Victoria–> _____
- North of Melborn
- cool maritime
- varied region w/ varied altitude
Yarra Valley - what grows here?
-high quality table wine
-quality sparkling wine
PN- Rich, fruity, strawberry plum, dk cherry
-soft tannin, lt oak
CHARD-
SHIRAZ
CAB SAUV
list regions in Victoria
Yarra Valley Mournington Peninsula Geelong Heathecote Goulburn Valley
