South Africa Flashcards
History
Modern industry from 1994 when African National Congress won the first democratic election
Before 90’s - KWV Cooperative, high yield for brandy
Climate
33-35 latitude (CA and Israel in north hem.)
Warm Mediterranean
moderating factors: mountains, Benguela current up western coast, Cape Doctor
Benguela Current
flows north up western coast, mingles with Agulhas current and cools Cape Town to Cape Agulhas
Creates coastal fog and breezes
Cape Doctor
South-easterly wind during spring and summer, lowers disease pressure and brings rain
Can damage leaves and disrupt flowering/fruit set
Climate risks
Spring frost (particularly Breedekloof)
Lack of winter freeze
700mm in Stellenbosch, less in north of Western Cape
Drier areas use drip irrigation, some places dry farm
Pinotage
Bred at University of Stellenbosch in 1925
Pinot Noir x Cinsault
Early budding, moderately susceptible to fungal disease
High sugar level in small berries, high alcohol with deep colour
Soils
- Table Mountain Sandstone: sandy with low nutrient/water retention
-Granite: foothills and hills, good water retention
-Shale: good nutrient levels and water-retention
Disease
Plantings with viral diseases like leafroll and fanleaf was a problem, so testing essential
Powdery mildew also common
Vine Training
Cordon with VSP, fruiting wire at 2.4m for easy pruning
Short spur pruning for mechanisation, but often handpicked bc of labour costs
Yields
Big difference between large volume and dry farmed old vines
IPW
Integrated Production of Wine
1998 - carbon emissions, staff training, conservation of soil & rivers & wetlands
90% of export producers adhere to it
High volume vs low volume Chenin
See chart in book
Chenin Blanc
Medium to pronounced intensity, ripe yellow apple/peach, tropical fruit, high acidity, medium alcohol and body
Often vanilla and toast from oak
Pinotage
traditional fuller bodied, tannic style: deep ruby, red plum and blackberry, high tannin, full body, high alcohol
OR
lighter, elegant style: medium ruby, red fruit, medium tannin
“Big Six” Varieties
Chenin Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay
Cabernet Sauvignon
Shiraz
Pinotage
White Cape Blends
Chenin-dominant, with white Rhone grapes, Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc
Red Bordeaux Blends
red Bordeaux grapes
Red Cape Blends
Blends with high proportion of Pinotage or black Rhone grapes
Geographical Unit
Very large areas (Western Cape)
Region
Large areas named about major feature (Coastal Region of Breede River Valley)
District
Smaller area (Stellenbosch or Walker Bay)
Ward
Defined area within a district (Simonsberg-Stellenbosch)