South Africa Flashcards
The Dutch, in 1652, simultaneously established an outpost in South Africa and accomplished what other viticultural feat?
Drained the marshland of Bordeaux
Who was Jan van Riebeeck?
The first leader of the South African outpost in 1652
When was the first harvest of grapes in South Africa?
1659
Who was Simon van der Stel?
The first Governor of the Dutch Cape Colony - owner of the lands that became Constantia
What are major places named for Simon van der Stel?
Simonsberg Mountain
Stellenbosch
Simon’s Town
When did the Huguenots arrive in South Africa? Where did they come from? Where did they settle?
1680’s-1690’s from France, Settled between Stellenbosch and Paarl - Franschhoek
What grapes were used historically for brandy production?
Oldest: Semillon (no accent) - at the time called Greengrape
More modern: Chenin and Colombard
What does ‘Berg’ indicate in South Africa?
Mountain
What does ‘dorp’ mean in English?
Village
What is ‘groot’ translated to?
Big
What is ‘Klein’ translated to?
Little
What is ‘kloof’ translated to?
Valley or Canyon
What is ‘toren’ translated to?
Tower
When did the British first invade the Dutch colony? When was it officially ceded to Britain?
1795 - 1814
When were prefferential tarrifs enacted to increase British consumption of S. African wine? When did they end?
1813
1825
When did Phylloxera first arrive in South Africa?
1886
What was the Boer War?
A war between Dutch and British held SA colonies b/w 1899-1902 (Brits won)
Who was Charles Kohler?
The founder of the KWV
The KWV was founded in what year?
1918
What is the Benguela current? Where does it come from?
Cold current coming up from Antarctica in the Atlantic Ocean
From which direction does the Cape Doctor blow?
Southeast
What affect does the Cape Doctor have?
Helps keep disease at bay but like the Mistral can interrupt fruit set (can break canes too)
What are the three major geographic zones of South Africa?
Coastal areas (cool & wet), inland areas (hot & dry), valleys (temperate)
When does rain generally fall in South Africa?
Winter
Mountains in South Africa are generally made up of what material?
Granite and Sandstone
What is MCC?
Methode Cap Classique
When did the WO system begin?
1973
When did Wards become an official part of the South African wine law scheme?
1994
When were single vineyards included in the WO scheme?
2004
What is the maximum size for a single vineyard in South Africa?
6 hectares
What are the rules for an estate labeled wine?
Made from grapes farmed as a unit (bordering farms included), produced and bottled in a cellar on the same estate.
What are the minimum requirements for varietal labeling? Vintage labeling? Place of origin?
85%
85%
100% - Origin
Without WO certification, what may no longer be included on a label?
Vintage variety region
What are the six GUs of South Africa?
Western Cape
Northern Cape
Eastern Cape
Limpopo
Free State
KwaZulu-Natal
Which GU is home to most of South Africa’s viticulture?
Western Cape
What are the Regions within Western Cape?
Breede River Valley
Klein Karoo
Olifants River Region
cape South Coast
Coastal Region
Where within Western Cape is bulk wine generally seen?
Breed Reiver
Klein Karoo
Olifants River
