South Africa Flashcards
What are the 2 winemaking regions of the Breede River Valley?
Worcester district
Robertson district
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of the Worcester district?
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
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of the Robertson district?
Syrah, Chardonnay
Cooler than Worcester (due to easterly winds)
High-volume brands
What are the 3 winemaking regions of the Cape South Coast?
Walker Bay district
Elgin district
Elim ward
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of the Walker Bay district?
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Considered best Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in South Africa
Exposed to ocean
Contains the “Hemel-en-Aarde” wards.
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of the Elgin district?
Sauvignon Blanc
Cooled by altitude
Creates intense & fresh Sauv. Blanc
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of the Elim ward?
Sauvignon Blanc
Part of the “Cape Agulhas” district
Creates pungent & herbaceous Sauv. Blanc
What are the 5 winemaking regions of the Coastal Region?
Stellenbosch district Paarl district Constantia ward Swartland district Durbanville ward
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of the Stellenbosch district?
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
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of the Paarl district?
Pinotage, Chenin Blanc
Less sea exposure
Hotter but cooler nights
Variety of altitudes, aspects, and soil
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of the Constantia ward?
Sauvignon Blanc
Part of “Cape Peninsula” district
Cooled by Cape Doctor
Shiraz and Cab. Sauv also planted in warmer sites
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of the Swartland district?
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
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of the Durbanville ward?
Sauvignon Blanc
Part of “Tygerberg” district
Describe South African wine laws.
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)
Describe the climate and grape growing of South Africa.
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