South Africa

Question 1

South African wine before 1990s?

Answer 1

Dominated by giant coop KWV
Regulated production and pricing

Question 2

Climate in South Africa?

Answer 2

Warm Mediterranean on Western Cape
Benguela: Cold north-flowing current
Agulhas: Warm current from Indian ocean
Cape Doctor: South-eastern wind that brings rain and inhibits disease; also damages leaves and affects flowering
Adequate rainfall (water an issue in drier areas)
Spring frost
No consistent winter freeze - no vine rest

Question 3

Describe Pinotage:

Answer 3

Bred at University of Stellenbosch in 1925
Cinsault + Pinot Noir
Early Budding
High sugar levels
Only needs short time on skins

Question 4

Soils in South Africa:

Answer 4

Highly acidic - require lime adjustment
Granite near mountains
Shale on valley floor - good nutrients and water-retention
Table Mountain sandstone - needs irrigation/fertilization

Question 5

Viticulture in South Africa:

Answer 5

Low vine density
Cordon training with VSP
Mostly hand harvested - lack of labor
Powdery Mildew common, leafroll and fanleaf

Question 6

Sustainability in South Africa:

Answer 6

Few accredited organic/biodynamic
Integrated Pest Management widely practiced
IPW (Integrated Production of Wine) introduced in 1998 - 90% adhere; governs all growing and winemaking

Question 7

Describe Chenin Blanc:

Answer 7

Medium-Pronounced intensity
High acid
Med alcohol
Med body
Ripe yellow apple, peach, tropical fruit

Question 8

Describe styles of Pinotage:

Answer 8

Traditional: Full-bodied, tannic, high alcohol; 3-5 days maceration
Lighter: Medium tannin, more elegance, no maceration

Question 9

Blends of South Africa:

Answer 9

White Cape: Chenin-dominant with white Rhone varieties, Chard, Semillon, or Sauv Blanc
Red Bordeaux
Red Cape: Pinotage and/or black Rhone varieties dominate

Question 10

Wine of Origin scheme:

Answer 10

Geographical Unit
Region
District
Ward

Question 11

Wine of Origin labeling requirements?

Answer 11

100% from the region
85% variety
85% vintage
Certification seal on bottles

Question 12

Describe the Coastal Region:

Answer 12

Includes Cape Town, Darling, Stellenbosch, Swartland, Paarl
25% of total production
45% of area under vine (lower yields)

Question 13

Describe Cape Town:

Answer 13

Established in 2017, previously Cape Peninsula
Includes 4 wards, Constantia + Durbanville

Question 14

Describe Constantia:

Answer 14

Ward home to Vin de Constance (dried Muscat from Klein Constantia)
Granite soils (good drainage)
High rainfall
Sauv Blanc, Chard, Cab Sauv, Shiraz

Question 15

Describe Durbanville:

Answer 15

Shale soils - water holding
Dry farming common
Moderate rainfall, half of Constantia
- Protection from Tygerberg hills
Sauv Blanc predominant, green style

Question 16

Describe Stellenbosch:

Answer 16

Big 6 varietals
High quality Cab Sauv
Home of Distell (largest wine/spirit producter in South Africa)
Moderate-High rainfall
Range of soils
Ward: Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

Question 17

Describe Paarl:

Answer 17

Warmer
Berg River - provides irrigation
Higher rainfall
Chinin, Cab Sauv, Shiraz, Pinotage
Ward: Voor Paardeberg (high quality)
Ward: Simonsberg-Paarl

Question 18

Describe Wellington:

Answer 18

Known for Shiraz and powerful red blends
Home to nurseries that supply most of South Africa with cuttings

Question 19

Describe Breede River Valley:

Answer 19

Warm and dry
High yields
Supplies grapes for distillation + wine
Irrigation from Breede River
Includes Districts: Breedekloof, Worchester, Robertson

Question 20

Describe Robertson:

Answer 20

Very low rainfall
Limestone soils in parts - Chardonnay
Graham Beck (Cap Classique)
De Wetshof (Chardonnay)

Question 21

Describe Cape South Coast region:

Answer 21

influenced by Atlantic Ocean
Sauv Blanc, Chard, Pinot Noir
Small production, great quality
Includes districts: Walker Bay, Elgin

Question 22

Describe Hemel-en-Aarde:

Answer 22

In Walker Bay District
3 wards: Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
Babylonstoren Mountains - cloud trap, collect moisture and provide shade
Clay soils
Cover crops to reduce evaporation
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir dominate

Question 23

Describe Elgin:

Answer 23

High rainfall
Fungal disease common
Botrytised wines possible
Fresher, fragrant styles of classic grapes

Question 24

Describe Klein Karoo Region:

Answer 24

Known for port-style wines from Portuguese varietals and Muscat

Question 25

Role of Fairtrade in South Africa:

Answer 25

60% of South Africa is ethically accredited
Largest producer of Fairtrade wine globally, 2/3

Question 26

Sustainability seals in South Africa:

Answer 26

IPW: Integrated Production of Wine
BWI: Biodiversity and Wine Initiative (90% certified environmentally friendly)
- Replaced by WWF-SA Conservation Champion Programme
Integrity and Sustainability seal (2010): world’s first industry-wide environmental accreditation
SWSA: Sustainable Wine South Africa

Question 27

Promoter of South African wine:

Answer 27

WOSA: Wines of South Africa
Established in 1990s

Question 28

Export of South African wine:

Answer 28

50/50%
UK and Germany

Question 29

Bulk wine in South Africa:

Answer 29

Prices have stayed inexpensive
Growers receiving lower prices than expected, jobs being lost
Producers are farming below a sustainable level of income for their business