L3 - South Africa - Chap 38 Flashcards
Where is South Africa wine regions located?
What is the general climate of South Africa?
What are the major cooling influences?
South African wine regions are situated between 32 and 35 degrees south of the Equator
The climate is hot (regularly rising above 30C(86F))
Most important cooling influences:
-The Southern Ocean
-The Benguela Current flows past the tip & up the west coast of Africa, cooling coastal areas
-Cape Doctor - Strong south easterly summer winds reduces temps
-Prominent mountain ranges offer a dramatic range of altitudes & soils, with cooler climates in the mountains.
Those planted on southern mountain slopes benefit from cooler temps
-Mountain terrains can also cast shadows which cool
What are the most widely planted black grape varietals in South Africa?
-Cabernet Sauvignon
-Merlot (can be plummy, full-bodied)
-Syrah
(in hot climates gives rich, full bodied reds, high in alc, ripe black fruit flavors, sometimes earthy or meaty. in cooler climates can be less full-bodied & more peppery)
-Pinot Noir (only in coolest coastal areas)
-Pinotage (South African cross of Pinot Noir & Cinsault)
What is Pinotage and what are its characteristics?
-Pinotage is a South African cross of Pinot Noir & Cinsault
-hardly grown anywhere else in teh world
-sometiems blended with international varieties for a “Cape Blend”
Characteristics:
-can be made in light, fruity style with red berries
-From old bush vines:
-very full bodied
-rich, spiced
-berry fruit
-When fermented/stored with heavily toasted oak staves it can develop coffee or chocolate aromas
-premium style usually has more subtle aromas
What are the most widely planted white grape varietals in South Africa?
Chenin Blanc
Colombard- used in brandy production (2nd most planted)
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay
Muscat of Alexandria (Hanepoot) - used for late harvest dessert wines -can have noble rot influence
Viognier- makes rich perfumed wines, hint of toasty oak
(High quality blends from Swartland - Chenin Blanc with Marsanne, Roussane, Grenache Blanc, Viognier
Describe Chenin Blanc from South Africa
Chenin Blanc from South Africa:
- Made in a variety of styles (sweet and dry)
-Early drinking styles - simple stone fruit flavors
-Old bush vines -more concentrated & complex flavors, fuller texture
-barrel fermentation, barrel aging for toasty oak flavor in some wines
Describe Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa
Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa:
-Typically has an herbaceous flavor
-best examples citrus and green fruit
-warmer regions must pick early to retain acidity
Where does the majority of South AFrican wine come from?
Over 90% from the Western cape (which is cooler)
Some inexpensive and non-exported wines are produced in the northern cape where it is very hot and irrigated
Where is the Stellenbosch region?
How is the climate?
What is it known for?
Stellenbosch is located inland of the coast at Somerset West to the mountains surrounding the town of Stellenbosch
Climate is moderate to warm depending on location
Sufficient rainfall in winter, summers rarely too hot due to cooling winds from False Bay
Stellenbosch has great altitude, aspect and soil
Known for top class red wines: Cab Sauv & Merlot, Syrah, and Cape blends
Where is the Paarl region?
How is the climate?
What is it known for?
Paarl is north of Stellenbosch
Further inland and less exposed to cooling influences, so warmer
also benefits however from great altitude, aspect and soil
Known for Cab Sauv, Syrah, Pinotage, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay
Where is the Capetown region?
Which 2 wards are most famous
How is the climate?
What is it known for?
Capetown is situated around South Africa’s capital city, and includes the two wards
Constantia
-located on eastern flank of table mountain
-home of historic Vin de Constance (late-harvested Muscat)
-has a reputation dor very good Sauvignon Blanc due to cooling influeces of Cape Doctor
-also semillion
Durbanville
-known for Sauv blanc
Where is the Swartland region?
How is the climate?
What is it known for?
Swartland is located north of Capetown district
-used to be known for inexpensive grapes and wine
-now a center of innovation and premium wines
-Recognized for old vine Chenin Blanc and high quality Syrah (both are dry farmed without irrigation, which reduces the yield but enhances fruit concentration)
What are the Worcester and Robertson districts of the Breed River valley known for?
Where are they?
Worcester is west of the Breede River valley and Robertson is east of Worcester.
Worcester is hot and dry adn requires irrigation from the river.
Majority of wine in Worcester is used for distllation (Chenin Blanc and Colombard), but both it and Robertson are known for well made red and whites for high volume brands.
Robertson is slightly cooler (can produce some excellent Syrahs and chardonnays)
Where is the Cape South Coast region?
How is the climate?
What is it known for?
Cape South Coast is furthest south on the Western cape and is well exposed to cool ocean winds.
Walker Bay - Known for Walker Bay disctrict (which contains Hemel en Arde) -source of high quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Elgin - To the northwest of Walker Bay is the Elgin district -another important cooling influence
-reputation for intense, fresh Sauv Blancs, and high quality Pinot Noirs, Chardonnay and Syrah
Elim- south of Walker Bay, known for pungent, herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc
