South Africa Flashcards
1
Q
Modern ZA wine industry transformed since 1994. Why?
A
African National Congress won 1st democratic elections
2
Q
Before 1990s, ZA was dominated by what company?
A
KWV
Giant co-op that had regulatory powers to determine volumes and prices
3
Q
Most planted variety in ZA?
A
Chenin Blanc
4
Q
ZA; split between white and black grapes planted?
A
55% white
45% black
5
Q
Climate in Western Cape
A
Warm Mediterranean generally
(but mountain ranges, slopes and aspects can make for differences)
6
Q
Main cooling influence in Western Cape?
A
Benguela Current
cold, north-flowing
7
Q
What is the Cape Doctor?
A
south-easterly wind during spring and summer
extends impact of Benguela current
Inhibits disease, brings some rain
can damage leaves
8
Q
Potential problems associated with Cape Doctor?
A
Can damage leaves
Affecting photosynthesis, ripeness, flowering and berry set
=> reduce yields
9
Q
Breedekloof ward has what specific threat?
A
Spring frost
10
Q
What is the Benguela current?
A
Cold, north-flowing current in ZA
11
Q
What is the Aghulhas current?
A
A warm current which mingles with the cold Benguela current to lower water temperatures between Cape Town and Cape Agulhas
=> coastal fog
12
Q
Most ZA regions are close to the coast. So what?
A
You can ripen Pinot Noir etc in cooler areas as well as heat-loving varieties (Shiraz, Tinta Barocca)
13
Q
Rain can be limited in northern part of Western Cape. So what?
A
It’s essential to either irrgate or use old vines in drier areas
14
Q
Most planted white and most planted black grape in ZA?
A
Chenin Blanc
Cabernet Sauvignon
15
Q
Top 3 planted varieties in ZA
A
- Chenin Blanc
- Colombard
- Cabernet Sauvignon
16
Q
Who has more Chenin Blanc: South Africa or Loire Valley?
A
South Africa has 2x the amount of Chenin Blanc
17
Q
Land under vine in ZA: going up or down?
A
Steady decrease in planting (reduction of 8% in 10 years)
18
Q
What is Pinotage? Where did it come from?
A
A crossing of Pinot Noir x Cinsaut
University of Stellenbosch, 1925
19
Q
Pinotage is early budding. So what?
A
Would be susceptible to spring frost, but it’s rarely a problem in warmer parts of the Cape, where it’s usually gron
20
Q
Pinotage can have high alcohol. Why?
A
Reaches high sugar levels in small berries
21
Q
Pinotage doesn’t need long time on skins after ferment to give a deep colour. Why?
A
Small berries give concentrated, deep colour
3 days on skins for lighter styles
5 days for fuller styles
22
Q
Three main soil types in Western Cape
A
Table Mountain sandstone
Granite
Shale
23
Q
Table Mountain sandstone. So what?
A
Sandy, low nutrients and low water retention
=> need irrigation and fertilisation
24
Q
Granite soils in Western Cape. So what?
A
foothill slopes of mountains and hills
Good water retention
=> possible to dry-farm
25
Shale soils in Western Cape. So what?
good nutrients, good water retention
=> dry-farming
26
Most soils in Western Cape are very acid. So what?
Need heavy lime adjustments to achieve suitable pH for vines
Otherwise: nutrients not available, lower yields
27
Modern history of viral disease in ZA?
Legacy of plants with viral disease (leafroll and fanleaf)
=> reduce yields
=> add to cost of replanting
28
What are ZA growers doing about legacy of viral disease?
Planting virus-tested vines (cost!)
29
Olifants River known for particularly high or low yields?
HIGH!
Yields 4x that of Swartland
30
What is IPW?
Integrated Production of Wine
1998
Holistic system covering growing and winemaking
31
Vine density in ZA
Typically low
Large vines carrying more fruit
Some quality producers doing closer spacing
32
ZA Chenin Blanc style
Medium to pronounced intensity
Ripe yellow apple, peach, tropical
High acid
Medium alcohol
Medium body
Vanilla, toast
33
Significant producers of ZA Chenin Blanc?
DeMorgenzon
Ken Forrester
34
Traditional ZA Pinotage style
Deep ruby
Red plum, blackberry
High tannin
Full body
High alcohol
35
"Big six" varieties in South Africa
Chenin Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay
Cabernet Sauvignon
Shiraz
Pinotage
36
What are White Cape blends?
Typically Chenin-dominant
also white Rhone varieties, Chard, Semillon, Sauvignon
37
What are Red Cape blends?
broad category
can be a lot of Pinotage and/or black Rhone vareities
38
Four tiers of ZA's Wine of Origin scheme?
1. Geographical unit (very large area eg Western Cape)
2. Region (large area named after a feature eg Coastal Region)
3. District (eg Stellenbosch, Walker Bay)
4. Ward (area within a district, eg Simonsberg-Stellenbosch)
39
ZA: Coastal Region accounts for what % of land under vine?
45%
But it produces only 25% of ZA wine (lower yields here than elsewhere)
40
Coastal Region covers various important districts. Name a few
Cape Town
Darling
Franschhoek Valley
Paarl
Stellenbosch
Swartland
41
Cape Town District replaced what previous District?
Cape Peninsula
42
Cape Town (District) contains wards including ___ and ___
Constantia
Durbanville
43
Why was Cape Peninsula (District) renamed Cape Town?
Make connection between vineyard area and tourist destination of Cape Town
44
What is Vin de Constance?
Dried Muscat dessert wine from Klein Constantia
45
Topography of Constantia (Ward)
East-facing slopes of Constantiaberg
(extends south from Table mountain)
46
Constantia (Ward) is 10km from False Bay. So what?
The bay brings cooling sea breezes
47
Constantia (Ward) has low vigour granite soils above a layer of sandstone. So what?
Good drainage!
48
Significant producers in Constantia
Klein Constantia
Constantia Glen
Steenberg
49
Which ward contains the northern suburbs of Cape Town?
Durbanville
50
Rainfall is lower in Durbanville than Constantia. Why?
Protection of the Tygerberg hills
51
Most planted variety in Durbanville?
Sauvignon Blanc
Mostly on cooler exposed sites
=> greener end fo flavour spectrum
52
Significant producers in Durbanville?
Bloemendal
Diemersdal
53
South Africa's oldest wine region?
Constantia
54
Account for quality in Stellenbosch (District)?
Cooler mountain slopes
Varied soil types
Breezes off False Bay moderate summer temperatures
55
Stellenbosch known for what kind of wines?
Outstanding CAbernet Sauvignon (and Cab-based blends)
Shiraz
Chenin Blanc
56
Significant producers in Stellenbosch?
Rust en Vrede
Raats Family Wines
57
Kanonkop and Rustenberg are producers in what ward?
Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
58
Paarl (District) can produce a wide range of grapes and styles. Why?
Warmer than eg Stellenbosch
Many mesoclimates, soils and aspects
Berg River gives irrigation water
59
Two wards that are on Simonsberg?
Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Simonsberg-Paarl (on warmer side)
60
Simonsberg-Paarl known for what wines?
Chardonnay (fresh, intense)
Shiraz
Red blends
61
Significant producers in Simonsberg-Paarl ward?
Glen Carlou
Plaisir de Merle
62
Franschoek Valley gets 800mm but needs irrigation. Why?
Soils are fast draining
63
Significant producers in Franschoek Valley?
Boekenhoutskloof (Chocolate Block etc)
Cape Chamonix
64
Where is Franschoek Valley?
South-east of Paarl
Wrapped on three sides by mountains
65
Acclaimed ward within Darling (District)?
Groenekloof
66
Darling (district) contains a range of hills parrell to West Coast. So what?
Many different aspecst
Ocean breezes
67
Darling district has weathered granite soils. So what?
Higher water holding capacity than other areas
=> dry farming and bush vines common
68
Significant producers in Darling
Neil Ellis (actually Stellenbosch but buys Darling grapes)
Groote Post
69
Swartland climate
Warm and dry
Only 500mm rain but a lot of it during growing season
70
Swartland is warm and dry. So what?
Requires irrigation (for higher yields) or old vines (for lower yields)
71
Where is Paardeberg located?
Part of Swartland district
72
What are the two different sectors in Swartland?
1. old busineses, often co-ops. good to v good. inexpensive, mid-priced. eg Perdeberg Wines, Riebeek Cellars
2. new talent since 2000. Charles Back/Spice Route, Eben Sadie, Chris and Andrea Mullineux
(low yields, dry farm, organic, old vine, ambient yeast etc). outstanding quality, premium and super premium price
73
What do the likes of Eben Sadie and Mullineux etc have in common in their approach? (Swartland)
Low yields
Dry farming
Organic and/or biodynamic
Old vines
Ambient yeasts
etc
74
Saronberg is a significant producer in which ZA district?
Tulbagh
75
Describe Tulbagh district?
Very warm, dry, sheltered valley surrounded by a horseshoe-shaped mountain range
76
Wellington district building a reputation for what kind of wines?
Shiraz
Powerful red blends
77
Wellington district known for what kind of agricultural business?
Vine nurseries!
provide 85% of ZA wine industry with cuttings
78
Which ZA region provides the most wine?
Breede River Valley Region
Huge amount of grapes for both wine and distillation
also high quality estates
79
Breedekloof district is part of what region?
Breede River Valley Region
80
Stellenbosch, Swartland and Paarl are part of what region?
Coastal Region
81
Important districts in Coastal Region?
Cape Town
Stellenbosch
Paarl
Francshoek Valley
Darling
Swartland
Tulbagh
Wellington
82
Breedekloof District (Breede River Valley Region) has adequate rainfall. So what?
No need to irrigate (vs Worcester and Roberston)
winter and spring snow => delay budburst (otherwise spring frost)
83
Worcester district (Breede River Valley region) known for what kind of production?
High volume, distillation
Colombard and Chenin
84
Historically Robertson dsitrict was known for what?
Grapes for the brandy industry (high yields, fertile growing conditions)
85
There is some limestone in Robertson district. So what?
Unusual for ZA
Chardonnay grows well (still and sparkling)
Graham Beck is here (Cap Classique)
Chardonnay pioneer: De Wetshof
86
Who/waht is De Wetshof?
Chardonnay pioneer in Roberton district (Breede River Valley Region)
87
Cliamte in Olifants River Region
very dry, warm
200mmm rain in parts
88
Namaqua Wines operates in what ZA region?
Olifants River
Large company successull in ZA and Uk for inexpensive wine
89
Some quality parts of Olifants River Region?
Districts:
Citrusdal Mountain
Lutzville Valley
Wards:
Bamboes Bay
Piekenierskloof
90
Cape South Coast Region is suitable for Sauv Blanc, Chard and Pinot. Why?
Strong cooling influence from Atalnic
91
Where is Walker Bay district located?
Cape South Coast Region
92
Pioneering producer in Walker Bay?
Tim Hamilton-Russell (1975 onwards)
93
Three wards related to Hemel-en-Aarde
Hemel-en-Arde Valley
Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
94
What is Hemel-en-Aarde?
Collective name for three wards in Cape South Coast Region
Seaside town of Hermanus
95
Impact of the sea on Hemel-en-Aarde?
Cooling winds reduce risk of over-ripening, reduce vigour
96
Quite a bit of clay in soil in Hemel-en-Aarde. So what?
Improve water-holding capacity
97
Lowest altitude of the three wards in Hemel-en-Aarde?
Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
98
Which Hemel-en-Aarde ward is located deepest inland?
Hemel-en-Aarde ridge
99
Effect of the Bablyonstoren Mountains on Hemel-en-Aarde?
Cloud trap!
Collecting moisture, providing regular shade
100
Significant producers in Hemel-en-Aarde
Hamilton-Russel
Bouchard Finlayson
Newton Johnson Family Vineyards
Creation
101
What is Bot River?
A ward in Cape South Coast Region
102
Significant producer in Bot River ward
Beaumont
103
Where is Elgin district?
Cape South Coast Region
70km south-east of Cape Town
104
Climate of Elgin district?
Much cooler than rest of ZA
3/4s the heat summation days of Stellenbosch
105
Account for lower temperatures in Elgin (vs rest of ZA)
Altitude (200-400m)
cloud cover
cooling influence of ocean
106
Elgin district has lower temperatures than other parts of ZA. So what?
Slow growing season
Fruit has more elegance and higher acidity
107
Significant producers in Elgin district?
Paul Cluver
Richard Kershaw (super-premium Chardonnay)
108
Where is Klein Karoo Region? What is it known for?
Semi-arid region 4 hours east of Cape Town
Port-style wines from Portuguese varieties (Calitzdorp district)
Fortified Muscat
Chenin and Colombard for brandy
109
South Africa: what is BWI?
Biodiversity and Wine Initiative
Now called WWF-SA Conservation Champion Programme
biodviersity
110
South Africa accounts for what % of Fairtrade wine sales?
2/3s
biggest Fairtrade producer in the world
111
KWV story from 1990s on
1992: start to repeal its rights
1997: reorganised into a private company
112
What could KWV do at the height of its powers?
Fix prices of distilling and beverage wine;
Approve all wine purchases between producers and merchants (producers couldn't sell direct)
Set quotas for planting and production
Control vine cuttings (import, propagation and distribution)
113
How is Wines of South Africa (WOSA) funded?
Mainly by export levies
114
Who dominates sales in ZA?
Distell group
40% of volume sold
115
Key export markets for ZA?
UK (about 25% of exports - was higher before)
Germany
116
Problem(s) with bulk wine exports for ZA?
Price has increased a bit but still inexpensive
Growers receive lower prices
Jobs lost (and not created) in finishing and packaging (done overseas in eg UK)
