Grapes and wines of South Africa Flashcards
Describe the climate and associated features of South Africa
Should overall be a hot climate (note inland areas can reach temperatures over 30oC), but many vineyards are subjected to cooling influence of Southern Ocean i.e. cold Benguela Current from Antarctic
Strong south-easterly summer winds (Cape Doctor) blows cold air from ocean further inland
Prominent mountain ranges = range of altitudes and aspects, differing soils = different site climates (notably from altitude) - higher altitudes noticeably cooler than valley floors
Planting on southern slopes of mountains benefits from cooler temperatures
Shadows from mountain ranges
Mountains also help channel winds nearer to coast
What is the most widely planted black variety?
Cabernet Sauvignon - usually blended with Merlot and Cabernet Franc to make Bordeaux-style blends
Describe typical Merlot styles
Full-bodied, plummy
Describe typical Syrah styles
In hot climates = rich, full-bodied, high alcohol, ripe black fruit flavours, sometimes earthy or meaty character
Cooler areas = less full-bodied, peppery examples
Describe typical Pinot Noir styles
Less tolerant of hot climate - small amounts planted in coolest coastal areas
Premium examples are often matured in oak with at least a proportion of new barrels to give toasty aromas
Describe typical Pinotage styles
Pinotage (Pinot Noir X Cinsault)
Blended with international varieties as ‘Cape Blend’
Varietal = light, fruity style with red berry flavours
OR old bush vines = very full-bodied, rich, spiced, berry fruit
If fermented and/or stored with heavily toasted oak staves, can take on intense coffee or chocolate aromas
What is the most widely planted variety of either colour? Describe styles
Chenin Blanc
Sweet and dry styles
Easy-drinking, simple stone fruit
Old bush vines = more concentrated and complex flavours, fuller texture, barrel fermenting and ageing contributes extra body and toasty oak flavours
Describe the use of Colombard
Second most widely planted white variety
Mostly used in brandy
Describe style range of Sauvignon Blanc
Often herbaceous character
Best examples from coolest regions = very pure flavours of citrus and green fruit
Warmer regions = early picking to retain flavours and high acidity
Describe style range of Chardonnay
Cooler sites provide best examples, using Burgundian techniques i.e. barrel fermentation and lees-stirring
Describe style range of Muscat of Alexandria
=Hanepoot
Late-harvest dessert wines, grapes left to shrivel on vine
Noble rot can be influence
Describe style range of Viognier
Rich, perfumed wines with hint of toasty oak
Give an example of a high-quality white blend, including region
Swartland
Chenin Blanc blended with Rhone varieties e.g. Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Viognier
Where is the majority of wine produced in South Africa?
Western Cape. Note Orange River in Northern Cape produces inexpensive whites, rarely seen on export markets
Describe the GI system of South Africa
Wine of Origin Scheme (W.O.), certification seal on bottle.
Four different production area sizes: Geographical unit (allows multiple regional and district blends), regions, districts, wards. Note some wineries source fruit from wider area than the GI in which they are located, and may label using a region or geographical unit
Estate wines - must come from single estate, all grapes from estate vineyard over a single geographical area. Facilities must be on their land - all grape processing and bottling. A producer can release an Estate Wine and a W.O. wine
Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) = voluntary sustainable agricultural scheme
Describe the climate of Stellenbosch
Moderate to warm depending on location
Sufficient rainfall in winter
Summers rarely too hot - cool winds from False Bay are funelled by mountains into valleys
Wide variety of altitudes, aspects and soils over a small area
Describe wines from Stellenbosch
Top class red wines from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot (often Bordeaux-style blends), Syrah, Cape red blends Cooler sites produce high-quality Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay
Describe the climate of Paarl
Less exposed to cooling influences of sea (further inland)
Hotter temperatures in Summer than Stellenbosch, but moderated by cooler night temperatures
Mountainous = variety of altitudes, aspects, soils
List the most important varieties in Paarl
Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Pinotage Chenin Blanc Chardonnay
Describe the climate of Constania
Eastern flanks of Table Mountain, constant cooling from Cape Doctor
Vines planted closer to Cape Point are well exposed to cooling ocean
Describe wines of Constantia
Eastern flanks = Good reputation for Sauvignon Blanc, Late-harvested Muscat = Vin de Constance from one of the estates
Closer to Cape Point = Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Shiraz (warmer site), Cabernet Sauvignon (warmer site)
Describe grape growing practice and wines from Swartland
Dry-farmed (no irrigation), low yields and high concentration
Old vine Chenin Blanc, high-quality Syrah
Premium Cape blends of red and white
HQ white blends of Chenin Blanc with Rhone varieties
Describe the climate of the Darling district
Near coast = cooling sea breezes
Describe wines of Darling district
Sauvignon Blanc, other old vines
Describe climate of Durbanville ward (Tygerberg district)
Cooled by sea breezes blowing through Cape Point
Describe wines of Durbanville
Sauvignon Blanc (good quality)
Describe climate of Worcester District
Hot and dry, essential irrigation from river, fertile soils
Describe wines of Worcester District
Significant production of Chenin Blanc and Colombard, mostly used for distillation
Some well-made reds and whites from high-vol branded wines
Describe climate of Robertson District
Similar to Worcester, slightly cooler due to south-easterly winds drawn into the valley
Describe wines from Robertson District
Well-made, high volume brands
Can also produce excellent Syrah and full-bodied Chardonnay
Describe climate of Cape South Coast
Well-exposed to cooling influence of ocean
List the best known wines and associated wards/districts in Cape South Coast
Hemel-en-Aarde (Walker Bay) = best Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs. Also Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Syrah Elgin district = cooler by altitude and produces intense fresh Sauvignon Blanc, also promising Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah Elim Ward (Cape Agulhas) = pungent, herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc, and promising Syrah
What are Traditional Method sparkling wines labelled as in South Africa? Which varieties are used to make it?
Méthode Cap Classique
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
What are ageing requirements for South African Cap Classique Sparkling Wine?
For members of Cap Classique Producers Association: min 12 months on lees.
For producers outside the association, they can age for 9 months min on lees, and still use Cap Classique label.
How are inexpensive South African Sparkling Wines made? What sweetness level are they?
Carbonation (off-dry to sweet)
