South Africa Flashcards
South African wine before 1990s?
Dominated by giant coop KWV
Regulated production and pricing
Climate in South Africa?
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
Describe Pinotage:
Bred at University of Stellenbosch in 1925
Cinsault + Pinot Noir
Early Budding
High sugar levels
Only needs short time on skins
Soils in South Africa:
Highly acidic - require lime adjustment
Granite near mountains
Shale on valley floor - good nutrients and water-retention
Table Mountain sandstone - needs irrigation/fertilization
Viticulture in South Africa:
Low vine density
Cordon training with VSP
Mostly hand harvested - lack of labor
Powdery Mildew common, leafroll and fanleaf
Sustainability in South Africa:
Few accredited organic/biodynamic
Integrated Pest Management widely practiced
IPW (Integrated Production of Wine) introduced in 1998 - 90% adhere; governs all growing and winemaking
Describe Chenin Blanc:
Medium-Pronounced intensity
High acid
Med alcohol
Med body
Ripe yellow apple, peach, tropical fruit
Describe styles of Pinotage:
Traditional: Full-bodied, tannic, high alcohol; 3-5 days maceration
Lighter: Medium tannin, more elegance, no maceration
Blends of South Africa:
White Cape: Chenin-dominant with white Rhone varieties, Chard, Semillon, or Sauv Blanc
Red Bordeaux
Red Cape: Pinotage and/or black Rhone varieties dominate
Wine of Origin scheme:
Geographical Unit
Region
District
Ward
Wine of Origin labeling requirements?
100% from the region
85% variety
85% vintage
Certification seal on bottles
Describe the Coastal Region:
Includes Cape Town, Darling, Stellenbosch, Swartland, Paarl
25% of total production
45% of area under vine (lower yields)
Describe Cape Town:
Established in 2017, previously Cape Peninsula
Includes 4 wards, Constantia + Durbanville
Describe Constantia:
Ward home to Vin de Constance (dried Muscat from Klein Constantia)
Granite soils (good drainage)
High rainfall
Sauv Blanc, Chard, Cab Sauv, Shiraz
Describe Durbanville:
Shale soils - water holding
Dry farming common
Moderate rainfall, half of Constantia
- Protection from Tygerberg hills
Sauv Blanc predominant, green style
Describe Stellenbosch:
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
Describe Paarl:
Warmer
Berg River - provides irrigation
Higher rainfall
Chinin, Cab Sauv, Shiraz, Pinotage
Ward: Voor Paardeberg (high quality)
Ward: Simonsberg-Paarl
Describe Wellington:
Known for Shiraz and powerful red blends
Home to nurseries that supply most of South Africa with cuttings
Describe Breede River Valley:
Warm and dry
High yields
Supplies grapes for distillation + wine
Irrigation from Breede River
Includes Districts: Breedekloof, Worchester, Robertson
Describe Robertson:
Very low rainfall
Limestone soils in parts - Chardonnay
Graham Beck (Cap Classique)
De Wetshof (Chardonnay)
Describe Cape South Coast region:
influenced by Atlantic Ocean
Sauv Blanc, Chard, Pinot Noir
Small production, great quality
Includes districts: Walker Bay, Elgin
Describe Hemel-en-Aarde:
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
Describe Elgin:
High rainfall
Fungal disease common
Botrytised wines possible
Fresher, fragrant styles of classic grapes
Describe Klein Karoo Region:
Known for port-style wines from Portuguese varietals and Muscat
Role of Fairtrade in South Africa:
60% of South Africa is ethically accredited
Largest producer of Fairtrade wine globally, 2/3
Sustainability seals in South Africa:
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
Promoter of South African wine:
WOSA: Wines of South Africa
Established in 1990s
Export of South African wine:
50/50%
UK and Germany
Bulk wine in South Africa:
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
