South Africa Flashcards
Modern ZA wine industry transformed since 1994. Why?
African National Congress won 1st democratic elections
Before 1990s, ZA was dominated by what company?
KWV
Giant co-op that had regulatory powers to determine volumes and prices
Most planted variety in ZA?
Chenin Blanc
ZA; split between white and black grapes planted?
55% white
45% black
Climate in Western Cape
Warm Mediterranean generally
(but mountain ranges, slopes and aspects can make for differences)
Main cooling influence in Western Cape?
Benguela Current
cold, north-flowing
What is the Cape Doctor?
south-easterly wind during spring and summer
extends impact of Benguela current
Inhibits disease, brings some rain
can damage leaves
Potential problems associated with Cape Doctor?
Can damage leaves
Affecting photosynthesis, ripeness, flowering and berry set
=> reduce yields
Breedekloof ward has what specific threat?
Spring frost
What is the Benguela current?
Cold, north-flowing current in ZA
What is the Aghulhas current?
A warm current which mingles with the cold Benguela current to lower water temperatures between Cape Town and Cape Agulhas
=> coastal fog
Most ZA regions are close to the coast. So what?
You can ripen Pinot Noir etc in cooler areas as well as heat-loving varieties (Shiraz, Tinta Barocca)
Rain can be limited in northern part of Western Cape. So what?
It’s essential to either irrgate or use old vines in drier areas
Most planted white and most planted black grape in ZA?
Chenin Blanc
Cabernet Sauvignon
Top 3 planted varieties in ZA
- Chenin Blanc
- Colombard
- Cabernet Sauvignon
Who has more Chenin Blanc: South Africa or Loire Valley?
South Africa has 2x the amount of Chenin Blanc
Land under vine in ZA: going up or down?
Steady decrease in planting (reduction of 8% in 10 years)
What is Pinotage? Where did it come from?
A crossing of Pinot Noir x Cinsaut
University of Stellenbosch, 1925
Pinotage is early budding. So what?
Would be susceptible to spring frost, but it’s rarely a problem in warmer parts of the Cape, where it’s usually gron
Pinotage can have high alcohol. Why?
Reaches high sugar levels in small berries
Pinotage doesn’t need long time on skins after ferment to give a deep colour. Why?
Small berries give concentrated, deep colour
3 days on skins for lighter styles
5 days for fuller styles
Three main soil types in Western Cape
Table Mountain sandstone
Granite
Shale
Table Mountain sandstone. So what?
Sandy, low nutrients and low water retention
=> need irrigation and fertilisation
Granite soils in Western Cape. So what?
foothill slopes of mountains and hills
Good water retention
=> possible to dry-farm
Shale soils in Western Cape. So what?
good nutrients, good water retention
=> dry-farming
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
Modern history of viral disease in ZA?
Legacy of plants with viral disease (leafroll and fanleaf)
=> reduce yields
=> add to cost of replanting
What are ZA growers doing about legacy of viral disease?
Planting virus-tested vines (cost!)
Olifants River known for particularly high or low yields?
HIGH!
Yields 4x that of Swartland
What is IPW?
Integrated Production of Wine
1998
Holistic system covering growing and winemaking
Vine density in ZA
Typically low
Large vines carrying more fruit
Some quality producers doing closer spacing
ZA Chenin Blanc style
Medium to pronounced intensity
Ripe yellow apple, peach, tropical
High acid
Medium alcohol
Medium body
Vanilla, toast
Significant producers of ZA Chenin Blanc?
DeMorgenzon
Ken Forrester
Traditional ZA Pinotage style
Deep ruby
Red plum, blackberry
High tannin
Full body
High alcohol
“Big six” varieties in South Africa
Chenin Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay
Cabernet Sauvignon
Shiraz
Pinotage
What are White Cape blends?
Typically Chenin-dominant
also white Rhone varieties, Chard, Semillon, Sauvignon
What are Red Cape blends?
broad category
can be a lot of Pinotage and/or black Rhone vareities
Four tiers of ZA’s Wine of Origin scheme?
- Geographical unit (very large area eg Western Cape)
- Region (large area named after a feature eg Coastal Region)
- District (eg Stellenbosch, Walker Bay)
- Ward (area within a district, eg Simonsberg-Stellenbosch)
ZA: Coastal Region accounts for what % of land under vine?
45%
But it produces only 25% of ZA wine (lower yields here than elsewhere)
Coastal Region covers various important districts. Name a few
Cape Town
Darling
Franschhoek Valley
Paarl
Stellenbosch
Swartland
Cape Town District replaced what previous District?
Cape Peninsula
Cape Town (District) contains wards including ___ and ___
Constantia
Durbanville
Why was Cape Peninsula (District) renamed Cape Town?
Make connection between vineyard area and tourist destination of Cape Town
What is Vin de Constance?
Dried Muscat dessert wine from Klein Constantia
Topography of Constantia (Ward)
East-facing slopes of Constantiaberg
(extends south from Table mountain)
Constantia (Ward) is 10km from False Bay. So what?
The bay brings cooling sea breezes