South Africa Flashcards
Match the following areas with their place within South Africa’s WO scheme:
A. Kwazulu-Natal
B. Simonsberg-Paarl
C. Franschhoek Valley
D. Klein Karoo
A. Geographical Unit
B. Ward
C. District
D. Region
What white grapes are grown in the cooler sites in Stellenbosch?
Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc
What is Pinotage a Crossing of?
Pinot Noir and Cinsault
Due to the _____ Current, South Africa’s coastal climate is cooler than its latitude suggests.
Benguela
KWV, created in 1918 had monopolistic powers, what happened once democracy in South Africa arrived?
- From 1992, KWV’s rights systematically repealed; reorganized as a private business
- It had tremendous powers such as:
- fixing prices (distilling & beverage wine),
- approve purchases of wine
- set quotas of plantings;
- control import, marketing, distribution of vine cuttings
- It had tremendous powers such as:
What do the terms “Single Vineyard” and “Estate Wine” stipulate on a South African wine label?
Single Vineyard Wine may be used for wines sourced solely from the vineyard, provided it is appropriately registered and of less than 6 hectares.
Estate wines must be produced from contiguous parcels of vineyard land, and vinified and bottled on a single property.
What grape is Durbanville District renowned for?
Sauvignon Blanc
What is a South African red wine blend called when it is a blend of Pinotage and other International grapes?
Cape Blend
Where would you find some of the oldest vineyards in The Cape?
Constantia Ward
What are the 2 main style of wine produced in Klein Karoo?
What are the 2 most planted varietals there?
Sweet and Fortified wines.
Muscat and Tinta Barroca
South African has enjoyed great export success since re entering the international markets in early 90s - what volume growth, what markets, bulk vs. packaged and price point?
- Export success
- 22 million litres in 1992 to 450 million litres in 2017
- From 20 export countries to over 135 countries
- The key countries are:
- UK – 23% of total exports by volume
- Germany is second…..
- USA
- China
- Countries in Africa
- Packaged wine is 39% of exports
- Bulk wine is the remaining 61%
- The average price for the wine is low
Many producers are below a sustainable level of income
Chenin Blanc is the most popular white varietal, what % of plantings?
19%
Main soil types - there are three generic ones - name and describe them
-
3 Main types of soils
-
Table Mountain Sandstone:
- Sandy; Low nutrients& water retaining properties
- need attention to irrigation & fertilization
-
Granite:
- Found on foothill slopes & hilly areas
- Good water retention; potential for dry farming
-
Shale:
- Good nutrient levels
- Water retentive
- Potential for dry farming
-
Table Mountain Sandstone:
Certified Wines of Origin (WO) must contain __% of the stated cultivar and vintage.
85%
What is the most planted white grape in South Africa, and what is its South African nickname?
What are 6 other important white grapes (2 with specific South African synonyms)?
Chenin Blanc aka “Steen”
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Colombard, Cape Riesling (a synonym for Crouchen Blanc unrelated to Riesling), Hanepoot (Muscat of Alexandria), and Gewürztraminer.
What is the climate of Stellenbosch?
What, if anything, provides cooling?
What are the top 2 grapes planted?
Warm Mediterranean climate
Moderated by:
Cool winds from False Bay funnel winds through mountains into valleys
Altitude with vineyards up to 600mRL
Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc - but Black grapes are in the majority
Wine geographical hierarchy for South Africa?
-
Geographical Unit:
- Very large areas
- E.g. Western Cape – accounts for nearly all SA wine by volume!
-
Region:
- Named after major feature - Coastal region or Brede River valley
-
District:
- Wider categories of Soils, Climate, Ecology; Stellenbosch or Walker bay; like major center or mountain range; some have no wards
-
Ward:
- defined area within a district: based on common soils, climate, ecological factors
- some have no districts but relate to a region
What are the different style of Pinotage made in S. Africa?
- Sometimes blended with int’l varieties to make a “Cape Blend”
- Can be made in a light, fruity style with red berry flavors.
- Wines from old bush vines may be very full-bodied, with rich, spiced berry fruit.
- When fermented with oak, Pinotage takes on intense coffee or chocolate aromas.
Paarl is located to the ________________ of Stellenbosch.
Northeast
The Olifants River Region is made up of which 3 Districts?
Citrusdal Mountain
Citrusdal Valley
Lutzville Valley
Which South African producer makes the Bordeaux-style blend known as “Rubicon”?
Which District / Region / GU is it located in?
What grapes are used?
Meerlust
Stellenbosch / Coastal Region / Western Cape
Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, w/ Merlot / Cabernet Franc / Petit Verdot
In which District / Region / GI is the Ward of Constantia?
Cape Town District / Coastal Region / Western Cape GI
Which winery has the queen stayed at, and is a favorite of Buckingham Palace?
Vergelegen
Domestic consumption?
- Local consumption relatively low with 50% of the annual production consumed domestically
The most planted white grape in Stellenbosch is:
Sauvignon Blanc
What are the rules for ‘Estate Wines’ in South Africa?
Grapes must come from estate vineyards in one GI. Estate must process from grape to wine incl bottling
What is the signature black grape of South Africa?
What is the most planted black grape?
What are 6 other popular black grapes planted?
Pinotage.
Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cinsault, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Tinta Barroca
What is Vin de Constance?
Who are 3 producers still making it?
An unfortified, dried grape wine made from Muscat de Frontignan (Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains)
Klein Constance
Groot Constance
Buitenverwachting
What is ‘Dry Farming’, what outcome does it provide and which South African District often uses it?
Vine growing without irrigation
Reduced yields = more concentrated fruit flavours Swartland
South Africa produces Fairtrade wine - how much?
- SA largest producer of Fairtrade wine globally: 2/3rds of Fairtrade wine sales
What are 3 key Districts and 2 Wards in the Coastal Region in South Africa?
Stellenbosch District / Paarl District / Swartland District
Durbanville Ward / Constantia Ward
For the following South African producers, identify the specific area in which they are located, and the type of wine they specialize in:
A. Boekenhoutskloof
B. Meerlust
C. Groot Constantia
D. Hamilton Russell
A. Boekenhoutskloof: Franschhoek Valley (Coastal Region), specializes in Syrah
B. Meerlust: Stellenbosch (Coastal Region), specializes in Bordeaux blends.
C. Groot Constantia: Constantia (Cape Town, Coastal Region), specializes in Vin de Constance (in addition to dry whites/reds)
D. Hamilton Russell: Hemel-en-Aarde Valley (Walker Bay, Cape South Coast Region), specializes in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Hemel-en-Aarde Valley - details?
Hemel-en-Aarde Valley (ward):
- lowest in Altitude; closest to Atlantic; Original planting area
- PN & Chardonnay thrive here; fresher & brighter style than inland
- PN can reach 14% ABV here
- BOUCHARD FINLAYSON (Peter Finlayson) established in 1989
What are the 3 Districts that make up Breede River Valley Region in South Africa?
Worcester District
Robertson District
Breedekloof
What is Stellenbosch District most renowned for?
2 specific examples of this wine:
Top class red wines Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends with Merlot (Cape Blends), Syrah.
Warwick Estate’s “Trilogy”
Meerlust’s “Rubicon”
What are the 3 Districts that make up Breede River Valley Region?
Breedekloof, Worcester, and Robertson
The South African appellation system is goverened by which body?
What is the 4-part hierarchy of wines?
The Wine of Origin System (WO)
Geographical Units / Regions / Districts / Wards
rainfall of Olifants river
200mm and lower
What are the 6 Districts that make up Cape South Coast Region in South Africa?
Districts: Walker Bay / Elgin / Cape Agulhas / Overberg / Plettenberg Bay / Swellendam
What was Napoleon’s favorite dessert wine?
Klein Constantia / Vin de Constance
Name 6 top producers in Stellenbosch, including one that specializes in Pinotage:
Rust en Vrede
Neil Ellis
Kanonkop (specializes in Pinotage)
De Toren
Warwick Wine Estate
Meerlust
Which region surrounds South Africa’s Cape Town?
Coastal Region
Olifants river region is the source of ? and name some districts and wards
- Source of dry farmed, old vines
- Districts: Citrusdal mountain, Lutzville valley districts
- Wards: Bamboes Bay, Piekenierskloof wards in this region
“Trilogy” is a famous Bordeaux blend produced by ______________ Wine Estate.
Which district / GU is it located in?
What grapes are used?
Warwick
Stellenbosch / Coastal Region
Mostly Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon with a small amount of Merlot.
What is the widest planted grape variety in South Africa by volume / acreage?
Chenin Blanc