Grapes and wines of South Africa

Question 1

Describe the climate and associated features of South Africa

Answer 1

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

Question 2

What is the most widely planted black variety?

Answer 2

Cabernet Sauvignon - usually blended with Merlot and Cabernet Franc to make Bordeaux-style blends

Question 3

Describe typical Merlot styles

Answer 3

Full-bodied, plummy

Question 4

Describe typical Syrah styles

Answer 4

In hot climates = rich, full-bodied, high alcohol, ripe black fruit flavours, sometimes earthy or meaty character
Cooler areas = less full-bodied, peppery examples

Question 5

Describe typical Pinot Noir styles

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Describe typical Pinotage styles

Answer 6

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

Question 7

What is the most widely planted variety of either colour? Describe styles

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Describe the use of Colombard

Answer 8

Second most widely planted white variety

Mostly used in brandy

Question 9

Describe style range of Sauvignon Blanc

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Describe style range of Chardonnay

Answer 10

Cooler sites provide best examples, using Burgundian techniques i.e. barrel fermentation and lees-stirring

Question 11

Describe style range of Muscat of Alexandria

Answer 11

=Hanepoot
Late-harvest dessert wines, grapes left to shrivel on vine
Noble rot can be influence

Question 12

Describe style range of Viognier

Answer 12

Rich, perfumed wines with hint of toasty oak

Question 13

Give an example of a high-quality white blend, including region

Answer 13

Swartland

Chenin Blanc blended with Rhone varieties e.g. Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Viognier

Question 14

Where is the majority of wine produced in South Africa?

Answer 14

Western Cape. Note Orange River in Northern Cape produces inexpensive whites, rarely seen on export markets

Question 15

Describe the GI system of South Africa

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Describe the climate of Stellenbosch

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Describe wines from Stellenbosch

Answer 17

Top class red wines from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot (often Bordeaux-style blends), Syrah, Cape red blends
Cooler sites produce high-quality Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay

Question 18

Describe the climate of Paarl

Answer 18

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

Question 19

List the most important varieties in Paarl

Answer 19

Cabernet Sauvignon
Syrah
Pinotage
Chenin Blanc
Chardonnay

Question 20

Describe the climate of Constania

Answer 20

Eastern flanks of Table Mountain, constant cooling from Cape Doctor
Vines planted closer to Cape Point are well exposed to cooling ocean

Question 21

Describe wines of Constantia

Answer 21

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)

Question 22

Describe grape growing practice and wines from Swartland

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Describe the climate of the Darling district

Answer 23

Near coast = cooling sea breezes

Question 24

Describe wines of Darling district

Answer 24

Sauvignon Blanc, other old vines

Question 25

Describe climate of Durbanville ward (Tygerberg district)

Answer 25

Cooled by sea breezes blowing through Cape Point

Question 26

Describe wines of Durbanville

Answer 26

Sauvignon Blanc (good quality)

Question 27

Describe climate of Worcester District

Answer 27

Hot and dry, essential irrigation from river, fertile soils

Question 28

Describe wines of Worcester District

Answer 28

Significant production of Chenin Blanc and Colombard, mostly used for distillation
Some well-made reds and whites from high-vol branded wines

Question 29

Describe climate of Robertson District

Answer 29

Similar to Worcester, slightly cooler due to south-easterly winds drawn into the valley

Question 30

Describe wines from Robertson District

Answer 30

Well-made, high volume brands

Can also produce excellent Syrah and full-bodied Chardonnay

Question 31

Describe climate of Cape South Coast

Answer 31

Well-exposed to cooling influence of ocean

Question 32

List the best known wines and associated wards/districts in Cape South Coast

Answer 32

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

Question 33

What are Traditional Method sparkling wines labelled as in South Africa? Which varieties are used to make it?

Answer 33

Méthode Cap Classique

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

Question 34

What are ageing requirements for South African Cap Classique Sparkling Wine?

Answer 34

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.

Question 35

How are inexpensive South African Sparkling Wines made? What sweetness level are they?

Answer 35

Carbonation (off-dry to sweet)