South Africa

Question 1

What was the name of the cooperative that dominated the South African wine industry, prior to 1994?

Answer 1

KWV

Question 2

How would you describe the climate of the Western Cape?

Answer 2

Warm, Mediterranean

Question 3

What has a cooling effect on grapes in the Western Cape?

Answer 3

Proximity to the ocean

Question 4

What is the name of the current tempering viticultural areas in the Western Cape and what conditions does it bring?

Answer 4

The Benguela current. It brings coastal fogs and cooling breezes

Question 5

What is the name of the wind that cools the Western Cape in the spring and summer months? What effect does this have on viticulture?

Answer 5

The Cape doctor. It helps keep fungal diseases at bay but can damage vines and affect flowering and fruit set

Question 6

What is used in drier areas of the Western Cape to prevent drought?

Answer 6

Drip irrigation

Question 7

What are the three principle soil types found in the Western Cape?

Answer 7

• Low nutrient and poor water-retaining sandstone
• Water-retaining granite, ideal for dry farming
• Nutrient-rich, water retaining shale

Question 8

What two grapes were crossed to make Pinotage?

Answer 8

• Pinot Noir
• Cinsault

Question 9

What are the growing properties of Cinsault?

Answer 9

• Early budding
• High sugar levels in small berries (higher potential alcohol)

Question 10

What is helping increase the reputation of Pinotage?

Answer 10

• Viticultural practices (managing water stress)
• Winemaking (lower ferment temperatures)

Question 11

What are the 6 production characteristics of inexpensive Chenin Blanc?

Answer 11

• Fruit grown at high yields
• Blended with a less valuable variety (eg. Colombard)
• Cool ferment
• Rested in stainless steel tanks
• Residual sugar added (usually around 5g/l)
• Wine shipped in bulk and bottled in final market

Question 12

What are the 6 production characteristics of premium Chenin Blanc?

Answer 12

• Fruit grown in low yields, often on old vines
• 100% Chenin blanc
• Cool fermentation in inert vessels, often large old barrels
• Lees ageing for 3-9 months
• No residual sugar
• Bottled in South Africa

Question 13

Describe a typical South African Chenin Blanc.

Answer 13

• Medium - Pronounced intensity
• Ripe yellow apple, peach and tropical aromas
• High Acidity
• Medium body
• May have toasty aromas from oak

Question 14

Describe how inexpensive pinotage is produced.

Answer 14

• Cold soaking to extract maximum colour
• Aged in stainless steel (sometimes with oak staves or chips)
• Released early, often 6-12 months after harvest

Question 15

what grape varieties are often referred to as the ‘big 6’?

Answer 15

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Pinotage
• Shiraz
• Chardonnay
• Chenin Blanc
• Sauvignon Blanc

Question 16

What are the names of the three main South African blends?

Answer 16

• White Cape blends
• Red Bordeaux blends
• Red Cape blends

Question 17

Define a White Cape blend

Answer 17

Typically Chenin-dominant blends but with white Rhône varieties, Chardonnay, Semillon or Sauvignon Blanc

Question 18

What are the four layers of South Africa’s wine of origin scheme

Answer 18

• Geographical unit – very large areas, e.g. Western Cape
• Region – large areas named after major features, e.g. Coastal Region
• District – e.g. Stellenbosch or Walker Bay
• Ward – defined area within a district, e.g. Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

Question 19

Define an estate wine

Answer 19

Wines must be grown and bottled on the estate

Question 20

What is the aim of The Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) scheme?

Answer 20

Mitigating the effect of environmental impact, water
usage, health and safety and biodiversity of South African vineyards

Question 21

What is the aim of The Wines and Spirits Board (WSB) scheme?

Answer 21

They created Integrity and Sustainability label that guarantees a certified wine’s environmental credentials

Question 22

What is the aim of the Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association (WIETA) scheme?

Answer 22

Focusing on ethical trade and reasonable working conditions for workers

Question 23

What share of worldwide fair trade wine sales do South Africa account for?

Answer 23

Around two-thirds

Question 24

What are the six wine regions found in South Africa?

Answer 24

• Coastal region
• Cape South coast
• Breede river valley
• Klein Karoo
• Olifants river
• Orange river

Question 25

What percentage of South Africa’s wine is produced in the Coastal region?

Answer 25

25%

Question 26

What are the six main districts found in the Coastal region?

Answer 26

• Cape Town
• Stellenbosch
• Paarl
• Swartland
• Franschoek
• Darling

Question 27

What are the two wards found in the Cape Town district?

Answer 27

• Constantia
• Durbanville

Question 28

What are the four principle grape varieties found in the Cape Town district?

Answer 28

• Sauvignon Blanc
• Chardonnay
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Shiraz

Question 29

Describe a Vin de Constance

Answer 29

A dried Muscat sweet wine

Question 30

What is the name of the ward found in Stellenbosch?

Answer 30

Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

Question 31

What two principal grape varieties are found in the ward Simonsberg-Stellenbosch?

Answer 31

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Pinotage

Question 32

What is the name of the ward found in Paarl?

Answer 32

Simonsberg-Paarl

Question 33

What two principal grape varieties are found in Simonsberg-Paarl?

Answer 33

• Chenin Blanc
• Shiraz