South Africa

Question 1

What are the 2 winemaking regions of the Breede River Valley?

Answer 1

Worcester district

Robertson district

Question 2

What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of the Worcester district?

Answer 2

Chenin Blanc

Hot & dry
Irrigation required
Produces signification amount of South Africa’s annual wine production

Chenin Blanc can be varietal or blended with Chardonnay/Colombard

Question 3

What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of the Robertson district?

Answer 3

Syrah, Chardonnay

Cooler than Worcester (due to easterly winds)
High-volume brands

Question 4

What are the 3 winemaking regions of the Cape South Coast?

Answer 4

Walker Bay district
Elgin district
Elim ward

Question 5

What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of the Walker Bay district?

Answer 5

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Considered best Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in South Africa
Exposed to ocean
Contains the “Hemel-en-Aarde” wards.

Question 6

What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of the Elgin district?

Answer 6

Sauvignon Blanc

Cooled by altitude
Creates intense & fresh Sauv. Blanc

Question 7

What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of the Elim ward?

Answer 7

Sauvignon Blanc

Part of the “Cape Agulhas” district
Creates pungent & herbaceous Sauv. Blanc

Question 8

What are the 5 winemaking regions of the Coastal Region?

Answer 8

Stellenbosch district
Paarl district
Constantia ward
Swartland district
Durbanville ward

Question 9

What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of the Stellenbosch district?

Answer 9

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay

Mod-warm climate
Sufficient rain in winter, summer not too hot
Altitude, aspect, and soil are most important
Divided into numerous wards

Question 10

What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of the Paarl district?

Answer 10

Pinotage, Chenin Blanc

Less sea exposure
Hotter but cooler nights
Variety of altitudes, aspects, and soil

Question 11

What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of the Constantia ward?

Answer 11

Sauvignon Blanc

Part of “Cape Peninsula” district
Cooled by Cape Doctor
Shiraz and Cab. Sauv also planted in warmer sites

Question 12

What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of the Swartland district?

Answer 12

Syrah, Chenin Blanc

Old vines for 2 grapes above create concentrated, premium wines
2 grapes above dry farmed (no irrigation)
Contains “Darling” district, which is famous for Sauv. Blanc

Question 13

What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of the Durbanville ward?

Answer 13

Sauvignon Blanc

Part of “Tygerberg” district

Question 14

Describe South African wine laws.

Answer 14

GI scheme is Wine of Origin (W.O.)
Geographical unit < region < district < ward

Estate wines: All grapes from one estate. Must include processing and bottling.

Voluntary sustainable agriculture schema
Integrated Production of Wine (IPW)

Winemakers might use region labeling to source grapes from large area (including some premium wines)

Question 15

Describe the climate and grape growing of South Africa.

Answer 15

Climate is heavily regulated by breezes, water, and altitude

Benguela Current: Flows from Arctic, cools west coast
Cape Doctor: Strong SE summer winds, cools land inland

Prominent mountain ranges provide altitude and aspects, also cast shade on vineyards
Vines planted on south slopes to cool down

Question 16

What are the main black grape varieties of South Africa?

Answer 16

Pinotage: Range of styles.
Varietal and Cape blend.
Intense coffee & chocolate when oaked.

Cabernet Sauvignon: Most planted black grape.
Varietal and Bordeaux blends

Merlot: Full body, plum

Syrah: Both styles grown

Pinot Noir: Small amounts in cool coastal areas.
Usually oaked.

Question 17

What are the main white grape varieties of South Africa?

Answer 17

Chenin Blanc: Most planted of either color.
Sweet or dry, simple or complex
Simple = stone fruit
Complex = old bush vines, oaked

Sauvignon Blanc: Range of styles, but usually very herbaceous

Chardonnay

Muscat of Alexandria: AKA Hanepoot
Used for late harvest dessert wines (sometimes noble rot)