South Africa Flashcards
Climate western cape
Warm Mediterranean
Latitude 32-35
- winter not cold enough so vines don’t reset
Lack of rainfall in north and Swartzland - irrigation or old vines
Viticulture
Soils v acidic so needs lime ask to grow vines Low find density & larger vines Mildew - spraying or organic method Vsp cordon short pruned Usually hand harvest - cheap labour
High volume pinotage/Chenin yields spraying sorting
H yields
Spraying- no botrytis
No sorting
Small volume premium Chenin/pinotage yields and sorting
Low yields often old vines dry farmed
Sorting
Poss botrytis depends on style
Cooling influences in South Africa
Cold Benguela current from Atlantic- coastal fog, cool breezes
Cape doctor
Altitude
Aspect - s facing so cooler
What is the cape doctor
Strong se summer wind brings cool air from Benguela current inland
Inhibits fungal disease
But risks- damage leaves - photosynthesis, ripeness; affects flower & fruitset
Main grape varieties
Chenin (double Loire’s plantings) Columbard - blends or brandy Cab sav Syrah S Blanc Pinotage Chardonnay
Pinotage crossing of which varieties
P noir
Cinsault
Characteristics pinotage
Early budding moderate susceptible fungal disease High sugar levels in small grapes Deeper colour H abv
Style pinotage
Inexpensive good to v good
Red berry fruits
Lighter style
M tannins
V gd to outstanding mid to premium Oak - coffee, chocolate Old bush vines F body H abv Blackberry red plum H tannins F body
Winemaking inexpensive pinotage
Punch down/pump over Beginning of fermentation So less tannins Stainless steel or old oak maturation Poss oak staves Released 6-12 months after
Winemaking small volume premium Chenin
Cool fermentation Inert vessel inc large old oak, eggs Some using new oak May ferment in barrel Lees ageing upto 12 months Poss batonnage for richer style Stabilised Light filter & fine Bottled South Africa Transported
Style Chenin
M to pronounced intensity Ripe yellow apple, peach, tropical H acidity M abv M body Vanilla & toast if oak Inexpensive to mid - Acceptable to good Mid to premium- v gd to outstanding
Inexpensive wine making Chenin
Poss blend 15% another variety eg colombard Acidification Cultured yeast Cool fermentation Matured stainless steel few months Poss oak staves Poss residual sugar Adj depends on mkt Stabilised Fined Filtered Often transported bulk
Pinotage premium wine making
Poss cold soak for colour
Punch down & pump over start of fermentation
2 styles
Fuller/traditional- 3-5 days post ferment on skins
Lighter - cooler sites, picker lower ripeness
Both Maturation 12 ms french barriques (circa 50% new)
White cape blend grapes
Chenin dominant Rhône variety’s Chard Semillon S Blanc
Over 90% of wine from where in South Africa
Western cape
Districts & wards have common
Soil
Climate
Eco factors
Wines of origin certificates wines to ensure
Claims on packaging true
Eg vintage
Grapes
Good quality
Red cape blend grapes
Pinotage and:or Rhône varieties
Production area defined by official wine of origin scheme what are they
Geographical unit (large area western cape)
Region eg breede river (major feature)
District eg Stellenbosch
Ward defined area in district
Climate factors in Stellenbosch giving h quality wines
Altitude- cooling influence oil winds false bay funnelled by mountains
Varied soil types - alluvial, granite, shale - good water retention & suitable dry farming
Stellenbosch in coastal region reputation built on
V gd to outstanding cab sav premium priced
Shiraz
Chenin Blanc
Merlot??
Grape varieties Paarl in coastal district
Chenin
Cab sav
Shiraz
Pinotage
Is Paarl warmer or cooler than Stellenbosch
Warmer further inland less cooling influence
Constantia ward & durbanville ward in coastal region has reputation for which grape varietal
Sav Blanc
Constantia - gd drainage & rainfall
Durbanville - dry farmed less rain and water holding soil
Franschoex valley district in coastal region grapes and famous producer
S Blanc Cab sav Shiraz Boekenhoutsloof Cooler High diurnal range Irrigation- fast draining soil
Swartzland known for which grape variety often dry farmed, ambient yeast & old oak
Old vine Chenin Premium cape blends Syrah Cab sav Chard Pinotage S Blanc
Viticulture in Swartzland
Irrigation or old bush vines as low rainfall
Low fertility soils
Walker bay district has a reputation for which grapes
Chardonnay
P noir
Hemel en aarde wards are in which district
Walker bay
Elgin know for
S Blanc
Chardonnay
Can botrytis wine be produced in Elgin
Yes
Which 2 districts in breede river valley are known for high volume branded wines irrigated as low rain
Worcester
Robertson
Wine style in olifants
Inexpensive
Some old vine dry farmed premium
Cooling influence Elgin
Altitude
Cloud cover
Ocean influence
What are the 3 Hemel in aarde wards
Hemel en aarde valley - lowest altitude
Hemel en aarde ridge - coldest & highest
Upper Hemel en aarde - higher than valley
Features giving cooling in Hemel en aarde
Coast - cool climate
Wind - cool & lowers vigour
Aspect n - helping to ripen in cool area
Clay soil - water holding
Ward bot river in walker bay grape variety
S Blanc
Chennin
What initiatives are there
Ipw integrated production of wines - sustainable farming 95% adhere
WWF sa conservation champion program- environmental friendly promotes biodiversity > 90% adhere
Integrity & sustainability seal - environmental, chemical usuage, water, natural predators
Market
Export/ domestic Uk Germany Us China
Aim sa business
Increase packaging wine exports as opposed to bulk - not easy
Value packaging sales growing - 1litre bricks
Move to free trade mkt
What did kwv control before
Fix prices
Approve purchases between producers & merchants
Set quotas
Control imports
What happened after free trade agreement
Growers & producers shifted to quality to sell grapes/wines
