South Africa Flashcards
Where are the vast majority of vines planted in South Africa?
In the South-West of the country, broadly around the city of Cape Town
What is the name of the currant that acts as a cooling influence across the Western Cape?
The Benguela Current.
How are South Africa’s wine regions legally classified?
South Africa’s Wine of Origin scheme has four key terms: units, regions, districts and wards. Units being the largest and wards the smallest geographically.
Which is the most significant Geographical Unit for wine production in South Africa?
Greater Cape. It includes the previous Units of Western Cape, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape
What regions lie in the Western Cape Unit?
Coastal Region, Cape South Coast, Klein Karoo, Breede River and Olifants River
Name a Ward within Western Cape that does not lie within a Region or District
Cederberg, Lambert’s Bay, Prince Albert’a Valley or Swartberg
What Districts lie within the Coastal Region?
Cape Town, Darling, Franshhoek Valley, Lutzville Valley, Paarl, Stellenbosch, Swartland, Tulbagh and Wellington
Name a Ward within the Coastal region that does not lie within a District
Bamboes Bay
Lamberts Bay
Where is the Cape Town District located?
South Western extreme of South Africa. The District surrounds the City of South Africa
What are the key climatic factors of Cape Town?
Exposure to False Bay and the Atlantic Ocean acts as a key cooling factor. The wards of Hauts Bay and Constantia are the mostly affected wards. Durbanville is less affected.
Name the wards of Cape Town and their locations
Constantia - South of Cape Town, directly facing False Bay to the South-South-East
Haut Bay - To the west of Constantia sitting along the coast of Table Bay
Durbanville - North-East of Cape Town
Philadelphia - The northern reaches of the Cape Town District, sits along the border to Darling in the North
Why is the Ward Constantia significant?
What varieties are grown here?
Key climatic factors?
Constantia is significant as it is home to the historic ‘Vin de Constance’ a sweet wine that was world famous in the 18th and early 19th century.
Varieties:
- Muscat Blanc
- Sauvignon Blanc
Climatic factors:
-mountains to the north, east and west create an amphitheatre with the south direct exposed to False Bay. Decidedly cool climate
Who makes Vin de Constance today?
What grapes is it made from? How is it made?
Klein Constance though they are not the original producer.
Made from Muscat Blanc. This sweet wine is made from dried grapes. There is none or very little botrytis influence in the wine. It is not fortified.
What is the dominant style of Sauvignon Blanc in Constantia?
Very fresh, focusing on the grassy characters Sauvignon Blanc high in pyrazines has. Often unoaked to maintain zippy freshness
Name two key producers within Constantia
Klein Constantia: Vin de Constance plus Sauvignon Blanc
Constantia Uitsig: Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon
What is Methode Cap Classique?
Methode Cap Classique (MCC) is a classification for sparkling wine is South Africa.
Requirements: may be made from any variety and any region in South Africa. Secondary fermentation must occur in the bottle and the wine must spend a minimum of 9 months on the lees.
Wines mate be labelled:
Brut - less than 15 grams RS
Extra Brut - less than 6 grams RS
Brut Nature - less than 3 grams RS
What is significant about Hout Bay Ward?
The Ambeloui estate resides within the ward. The Estate only makes MCC wines and is well regarded
What is the name of the cooling winds that flow into Constantia?
The Cape Doctor.
In which region is the Swartland District located? Where is Swartland geographically located?
Swartland lies within the Coastal Region. Geographicaly it is north of the Paarl and Darling Districts and stretches along the Atlantic Coast until it reaches the border with the Oliphants River Valley Region
What are the key climatic factors for the Swartland District?
Higher Latitude plus lack of access to the Southern coast makes it an overall warmer climate. The cooling breezes off the Atlantic Ocean to the west are key for their cooling influences.
Most viticulture occurs inland where it is very dry. Traditional dry-grown viticulture is not possible here. Instead most vines are planted as bush vines that are sparsely planted to allow dry farming.
What are the key varieties grown in Swartland?
White: Chenin Blanc and Colombard
Red: Syrah, Cinsualt and Pinotage
What are the two important Wards within Swartland?
Paardeberg, Riebeeksrivier and Riebeekberg
What are the key climatic factors for Paardeberg?
The region sits at the foothills of Perdeberg ranges. Added elevation, greater exposure to the Atlantic Ocean and its location to the south of Swartland make it one of the coolest parts of Swartland.
What is the main variety planted in Paardeberg?
Chenin Blanc, especially from old bush vines.
Name a popular producer within Paardeberg. What are they most well known for?
A. A. Badenhorst Family Wines. Focus is on producing wines from unirrigated. USB vines.
Cuvée:
Golden Slopes Chenin Blanc
Dassiekop Stein
What is Chenin Blanc commonly known as in South Africa?
Steen
What are Muscat Blanc á Petit Grains and Muscat of Alexandria commonly referred to in South Africa?
Moscadel and Hanepoot respectively
Where are the wards of Riebeeksrivier and Riebeekberg located? What are some climatic factors for these wards?
Further north and further inland than Paardeberg, both receive very little rain.
What varieties are Riebeeksrivier and Riebeekberg well regarded for?
More so red than white. Bush vine Syrah, Cinsault, Grenache and Pinotage
Name two well regarded producers from that produce wine from Riebeeksrivier and Riebeekberg.
Sadie Family Wines. The estate has vines throughout these wards with both red and white grapes contributing to their top cuvées: Palladius a white field blend with Chenin as the base and Columella which is a red blend
Mullineaux. Well regarding for making Syrahs that focus on individual soil profiles.
Which three producers kickstarted ‘The Swartland Revolution’?
Eden Sadie, Mullineux and A A Badenhorst
What organisation did ‘The Swartland Revolution’ turn into?
The Swartland Independent Producers. The organisation seeks to limit ‘non-natural’ viticultural and winemaking techniques. For a wine to qualify for the labelling the fruit must be sourced from Swartland but also vinified in Swartland.
In which region is Stellenbosch District located? Where is Stellenbosch located geographically?
Coastal Region
Stellenbosch is located to the East of Cape Town with the Paarl a district on its northern border, the Franschhoek Valley to the East and False Bay to the South.
What are the key climatic factors relevant to Stellenbosch?
Cool breezes off of False Bay to the South cool and moderate temperatures. Exposure to the warming heart of inland of the Cape, particularly in the northern parts of Stellenbosch makes it a warmer and more continental climate than Constantia.
Side valleys in the South-West and North-east provide opportunities for vineyards at higher elevation, reducing the diurnal range without the warmth found in the northern reaches of the appellation.
What are the key varieties grown in Stellenbosch?
White: historically Chenin Blanc however both Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are taking the lead. White varieties tend to planted more in the south and west of the District where the cooling influence of the Cape Doctor are more significant. The Sauvignon Blancs of Stellenbosch tend to see more winemaking than Constantia, which oak ageing and extended time of lees common techniques.
Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Pinotage. Cabernet Sauvignon tends to be grown further north in the District with the Ward of Simonsberg-Stellenbosch a key area for Cabernet Sauvignon.
What is a Cape blend? Is it commonly seen today?
A red blend where Pinotage makes up at least 30% of the blend. Bordeaux varieties, usually Cabernet Sauvignon, make up the other blending components.
What are the wards of Stellenbosch?
Simonsberg-Stellenbosch Banghoek Jonkershoek Valley Popengaaiberg Devon Valley Bottelary Polkadraai Hills Vlottenberg
Where is the Simonsberg-Stellenbosch Ward located?
In the far north of the Stellenbosch District, bordering Paarl. The Simonsberg Mountain lies to the east of the Ward.
Where is Banghoek Ward located?
In Stellenbosch, in the east of the District and south of Simonsberg Mountain.
Which is the newest Ward of Stellenbosch? When was it created?
Vlottenberg. It was created in 2020
Name three producers from the Stellenbosch District
Kanonkop
Reyneke
Meerlust Estate
Where is the Kanonkop estate based? What are they known for producing?
Based in Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, Kanonkop is an historic estate within Stellenbosch. Kanonkop were one of the first estates to plant Pinotage in the Stellenbosch District. Kanonkop is also know for their Bordeaux blends.
What are some key bottlings from the Kanonkop estate?
Estate Pinotage - 30 to 60 yr old bush vines, aged in 75% new oak. Inaugural vintage 1973
Black Label Pinotage - Fruit sourced from vines planted in 1953. 100% new oak. Inaugural vintage 2006
Paul Sauer - Bordeaux blend though mostly Cabernet Sauvignon. No Pinotage in the blend. Named after the founder of the estate. Matured in 100% new oak. Inaugural vintage 1981
Where is the Reyneke estate located? Why are they considered a significant estate? What are some key bottlings of the estate?
Reyneke is located in the west of Stellenbosch next to the border of the Polkadraai Hills. Reyneke’s significance is two-fold: they focus on high quality white wines and they are one of two Demeter-certified biodynamic producers in South Africa.
Key bottlings:
- Reserve White - 100% Sauvignon Blanc which sees significant amount of new oak ageing
- Reserve Chenin Blanc - Amphora aged Chenin Blanc
- Reserve Red - 100% Syrah, old oak ferment with some proportion of whole clusters used
Where is Meerlust Estate located? Why are they a significant producer? What are some key bottlings of the estate?
Meerlust Estate are located in the southern parts of Stellenbosch. The estate is well known for their Bordeaux blend cuvée called Rubicon. Rubicon’s first vintage was 1980 and it was one of the first Bordeaux blends released in South Africa.
Key bottlings:
- Rubicon
- Red blend: originally bottled in years when Rubicon was not released, the Red blend is now made every year.
- Chardonnay: sees quite a lot of new oak
Who produces ‘Paul Sauer’? Where is this wine made? What variety(ies) are in this cuvée?
Kanonkop. The wine is produced in Simonsberg-Stellenbosch. It is a Bordeaux blend that is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon.
Who produces ‘Rubicon’? Where is this cuvée made? What varieties go into this wine?
Meerlust Estate. It is made in Stellenbosch. It is a a Bordeaux blend.
In which Region is the Paarl District located? Where is it geographically located?
Paarl is located in the Coastal Region. It is located north of Stellenbosch with Cape a town District to the west, Swartland District to the north and Breede River Valley Region to the east.
What are the key climatic factors for Paarl?
More northerly and inland than Stellenbosch means Paarl is far warmer and more continental in character.
What are the Wards of Paarl?
Simonsberg-Paarl in the south and Voor Paardeberg in the north.
Where is Simonsberg-Paarl located?
Furthest southerly reaches of the Paarl District. Borders Simonsberg-Stellenbosch with Simonsberg Mountain in the south-west of the Ward.
Where is Voor-Paardeberg located?
In the north of Paarl. Shares the Perdeberg Ranges with the Paardeberg Ward in Swartland.
What are the key varieties for Paarl?
Historically the region was well known for sweet fortified wines. As these wines became less popular, dry styled Chenin Blanc has risen in popularity, especially in Voor Paardeberg Ward. For reds, Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varieties shine in Simonsberg-Paarl Ward in the south of the region
Name a key producer in Paarl.
Rupert and Rothschild Vignerons. Based in Simonsberg-Paarl, this is a collaboration between the wealthy Rupert family and Baron Edward de Rothschild.
Key bottlings:
- Baroness Nadine - Chardonnay
- Classique - A merlot dominant Bordeaux blend
- Baron Edmond - a Cabernet Franc dominant Bordeaux blend
In which Region is the Franschhoek Valley District located? Where is it located geographically?
Coastal Region. The Franschhoek Valley is located East of Stellenbosch with the Cape South Coast Region on its south-east border.
What are key climatic factor for the Franschhoek Valley?
Importantly the Berg River and its dam are provide water for irrigation and it helps moderate temperatures.
The Klein-Drakenstein mountains to the north protect against warming influences from inland.
What varieties are grown in the Franschhoek Valley?
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for Methode Cap Classique wines
white grapes - Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon and Chenin Blanc
red grapes - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz and Pinotage
Name the wards of Franshhoek Valley.
There are no wards in the Franschhoek Valley
Name a key producer based in the Franschhoek Valley
Boekenhoutkloof. The estate possesses vines across the Western Cape. Winery is based in Franschhoek Valley.
Key bottling from the Franschhoek Valley is the Journeyman: a Cabernet Franc based cuvée.
In which Region Elgin District located?
Cape South Coast Region
What are the climatic factors of Elgin?
High elevation plus proximity to the Ocean make Elgin one of South Africa’s coolest wine regions
What varieties are grown in Elgin?
Since the early 2000s Elgin has developed a reputation for fine-boned Chardonnays and racy Sauvignon Blancs. For reds Pinot Noir is commonly planted though there are some Syrah plantings in the region as well.
Name two producers from Elgin
IONA - the producer that has put Elgin on the map, IONA focuses on racy Sauvignon Blancs.
Richard Kershaw- working with some more experimental grapes for the region such as Syrah.
In which Region is Walker Bay District located? Where is it located geographically?
Cape South Coast Region. Walker Bay District is located to the south-east of Elgin with Breede Valley District to the. north
What are key climatic factors of Walker Bay?
Proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, cooling influence. In the Hemel-en-Aarde Wards the valleys and ridges provide ideal aspects to encourage ripening, allows Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to ripen well here.
In the north of the District the influence of the Ocean is less obvious, particularly in the Bot River Ward.
Name the important Wards of Walker Bay District
Bot River, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
What varieties are grown in Bot River Ward?
White - Chenin Blanc
Red - Syrah and Pinotage
Name an important producer in Bot River Ward. What style of wine does this estate focus on?
Gabriëlskloof. Focus is on single vineyard bottlings of Chenin Blanc
Name an important producer of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. What is their focus?
Hamilton Russell. Hamilton Russell is the benchmark producer for Walker Bay Pinot Noir, making the region famous in the late 70s for silky Pinot Noirs.
The Hamilton Russell label focuses on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The estate also makes Pinotage under the Ashburne label
In which Region is Cape Agulhas District located? Where is it geographically located?
Cape South Coast Region. Cape Agulhas District is located to the south-east of Walker Bay District, it is the most southerly located District in the Western Cape
What are the Wards of Cape Agulhas District?
Elim. It is the most southerly Ward in the Western Cape.
Where is the Breede River Valley located? What legal status does it have?
Klein Karoo Region is east of Breede River Valley with Cape South Coast Region to its south and the Coastal Region to the west. The Breede River Valley is a Region
What are the key climatic factors for Breede River Valley District?
Mountains to the west, south and east prevent cooling winds off the Atlantic Ocean from accessing the Region. This creates a warmer growing climate. On top of this, warm drying winds from the north further warm the Region.
Dry grown vines are very rare in Breede River Valley, large majority of vines are irrigated.
Name the Districts of Breede River Valley Region
Breedekloof, Robertson and Worcester
In which Region is Breedekloof District located? Where is it geographically located?
Breede River Valley Region. Breedekloof District is located in the west of the Breede River Valley Region.
What is the climate of Breedekloof District like?
Similar to the overall Breede River Valley. Access to the valley floor makes high-yielding viticulture for distillation possible.
What are the Breedekloof Makers? Name a producer that belongs to this organisation.
A group of small producers seeking to enhance the capabilities of Breedekloof of producing fine wine. Olifantsberg, a producer who focuses on Rhône varieties belongs to the organisation.
In which Region is the Robertson District located? Where is it located geographically?
Breede River Valley Region. Robertson is located in the south-east of the Region, bordering Cape South Coast to the south
What are the key climatic factors that separate Robertson out from other areas of Breede River Valley?
A small break in the mountain ranges to the south-east allows some ocean breezes into the District. Throughout the District there is quite a lot of limestone in the soil, making it more suitable for quality viticulture over grapes for spirit production.
What varieties are grown in Robertson?
White - Chardonnay, Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc
Red - Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah
Name a Ward in Robertson
Ashton
Name an important producer in Robertson
De Westhof Estate. Focuses on single vineyard Chardonnays
