D3 South Africa

Question 1

Main Features & Climate?

Answer 1

Warm Mediterranean
Benguela Current - cold, North flowing
Agulhas Current - west flowing, slightly warmer
Cape Doctor - South-Easterly wind
Northern Western Cape has some mountain cover, so can be drier - irrigation of old vines essential here
Cape soils are highly acidic - need alkalinisation
Berg River (in Paarl)

Question 2

Most Common Grapes?

Answer 2

Chenin Blanc
Colombard
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay

Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Syrah
Pinotage

Question 3

Pinotage?

Answer 3

Crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsault (Hermitage)
Early budding
High sugar levels in small berries
High alcohol wines with deep colour, potentially
Red plum and blackberry, high tannins and body, though can be lesser by design

Question 4

Cape Blends?

Answer 4

Pinotage or Chenin Blanc blended with Rhone varieties or Bordeaux white varieties

Question 5

Layers of Appellation?

Answer 5

Geographical Unity (e.g. Western Cape) > Region (e.g. Breede River Valley) > District (e.g. Stellenbosch) > Ward (e.g. Simonsberg-Stellenbosch)

Question 6

Appellation Sourcing, Variety & Vintage Requirements?

Answer 6

100% sourced from region
Minimum 85% for vintage
Minimum 85% for variety

Question 7

Coastal Region: Districts & Wards?

Answer 7

Cape Town > Constantia (everything but PN), Durbanville (SB)
Stellenbosch (CS, ME, PI, CB, SB, CH) > Simonsberg-Stellnbosch (CS, Pinotage)
Paarl (CS, SY, PI, MO, CB, VI) > Simonsberg-Paarl (CH, SY)
Franschhoek Valley (CS, SY, SB)
Darling (CS, ME, SY, SB)
Swartland (everything including Rhone)
Tulbagh (CI, CO, SY) - inexpensive wines
Wellington (SY)

Question 8

Breede River Valley: Districts & Wards?

Answer 8

Breedekloof (PI, CS, SY, CB, CO, CH)
Worcester - mostly for distilling
Robertson - distilling grapes and Cap Classique

Question 9

Cape South Coast Region: Districts & Wards?

Answer 9

Walker Bay (CH, PN) > Hemel-en-Aarde (everything), Bot River (CB, SB)
Elgin (SB, CH, RI, PN, ME) and sweet wines