South Africa Flashcards
The majority of South Africa’s vine growing regions lies between which 2 latitudes?
32° - 35° south of the Equator
Generally, the climate of South Africa is ______.
Hot
If not for a fortunate combination of mountains, winds, and ocean currents, most of South Africa would be inhospitable to viticulture.
What is the name of the ocean current that helps make viticulture possible in South Africa?
The Benguela Current, a cold ocean current which flows up from the Antarctic.
Fun Fact: This current is caused by powerful southeasterly winds which blow the surface waters away from the sub-continent, forcing cold water to rise, or upwell, from great depths that don’t receive any sunshine. From South Africa the current flows northwards, up the west coast of Africa, towards the equator.
What is the name for the series of summer southeasterly winds that help make viticulture possible in South Africa?
The Cape Doctor, which are strong, cool, southeasterly winds that blow through False Bay up to Cape Town and further inland.
Fun Fact: It’s called the “Cape Doctor” because it sweeps away all the air pollution produced by traffic and industry in the city.
South Africa has several mountain ranges that run throughout the wine regions.
What are the mountains’ effects on viticulture?
・different altitudes
・different aspects
・different site climates
・different soils
・valley floor warmer rugged terrain can cast shadows over vineyards, creating cooler spots
What is the most widely planted grape, of either color, in South Africa?
Chenin Blanc
South African wine regions have taken so well to Chenin Blanc that it is now more widely planted in South Africa than it is in France.
What is the second most widely planted white grape in South Africa?
Colombard
Colombard is not widely used in still wine production in South Africa, but plays a significant role in South African brandy production.
What is the most planted red/black grape variety in South Africa?
Cabernet Sauvignon
What grape variety, rarely seen outside of South Africa, has become a flagship for South Africa?
Pinotage
What are the parent grapes for Pinotage?
Pinot Noir and Cinsault
Cinsault was formerly known as Hermitage, especially in South Africa. The name ‘Pinotage’ is a combination of ‘Pinot’ and ‘Hermitage.’
What is Hanepoot?
What is it used for?
The South African name for Muscat of Alexandria.
Used for late-harvest sweet wines.
Fun Fact: Hanepoot means “hen’s feet” in Afrikaans, referring to the claw-like appearance of the stems in the grape bunches.
What is South Africa’s Geographic Indication (G.I.) system called?
The Wine of Origin (W.O.) system.
What are the four different production area designations under the Wine of Origin scheme according to size?
From largest to smallest they are:
Geographical Unit
Regions
Districts
Wards
What are the requirements for a South African wine to be labeled as an Estate Wine?
・The wine itself must come from a single estate;
・The estate’s vineyards must be within a single geographical area;
・The wines must be made on the estate’s premises all the way up to and including bottling.
What is presently the most important Geographical Unit in South Africa?
The Western Cape
The Western Cape is important as a wine appellation as it allows producers to blend the best parcels of grapes from widely different areas.
