South Africa Flashcards
South Africa is sandwiched between these two oceans
Atlantic and Indian
Wineries in SA are known as…
wine farms
Most fine, dry wines in SA are made from these 5 grapes
Chenin Blanc
Cab Sauv
SB
Syrah
Chardonnay
What kind of wine is SA known for?
famous sweet wine, good value sparklers, Pinotage, some fine dry wine production as well
Who was Jan van Riebeeck?
Dutch settler who first planted vitis vinifera in SA
Why was SA wine essentially unknown outside of SA before the 1990s?
Apartheid wasn’t lifted until the 1990s
Term for the 6 largest wine zones
Geographical Unit
How many Geographical Units are there?
6
Of the 6 Geographical Units, which is the only important one for fine wine?
the Western Cape
The Western Cape is a ….
Geographical Unit
The Western Cape has these 5 major regions
Coastal Region
Cape South Coast
Klein Karoo
Olifants River
Breede River Valley
The two important regions of the Western Cape
Coastal Region
Cape South Coast
Coastal Region and Cape South Coast contain all the important ….
districts
Where is Constantia?
Coastal Region
Within districts, there are…
wards
the most important modern factor that has shapped the modern state of SA wine
the establishment of powerful co-ops in the early 20th century
About half of SA’s wine production is ____ wine
bulk
What is the KWV?
the most powerful SA co-op of the 20th century
explain the co-op situation of the 20th century
Phylloxera + war decimated vineyards in the late 19th century. SA responded with massive replantings and then overproduction, ultimately resulting in grape prices hitting rock bottom. Co-ops sprouted up (with gov funding) with intent of propping grape prices up, though this was not successful. grape prices bottomed out again post WWI. In 1918, the KWV co-op was formed and gained ultimate control of SA’s wine industry until the end of apartheid. the wine industry stagnated under KWV control
the geology of the Western Cape
Mountainous - high peaks and dep valleys
the most important Districts of the Coastal Region
Swartland
Paarl
Franschoek Valley
Stellenbosch
Coastal Region climate
mediterranean
responsible for cooling maritime breezes
Benguela Current
The Cape South Coast is a great place to grow these grapes…
cool climate grapes such as PN and Chardonnay
soils of SA
very varied. gravel, granite, clay, sand, schist, shale, Cape sandstone
t/f: there is more Chenin Blanc in SA than the rest of the world combined
true
t/f: there is a lot of Colombard planted in SA
true; used mainly for cheap Brandy
What does “Certified Heritage Vineyard” mean on a label?
35 + yr old vines
The SA name for Muscat Blanc a Petits Grain
Muscat de Frontignan
t/f: Muscat de Frontignan and Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains are the same grape
true
t/f: Muscadel is the same grape as Bordeaux’s Muscadelle
false. Muscadel aka Muscat de Frontignan
This grape was often referred to as “Hermitage”
Cinsaut
historically, the dominant red in SA
Cinsaut
Is SA Syrah more in the Australian style or the Rhone style?
Rhone style
Many SA wines are described to have a character to them known as “fynbos” (“feign-boss”). what does this mean?
herbaceous, earth, floral - reference unique vegetation found in SA
Where is Table Mountain?
Coastal Region
