South Africa Flashcards
What are the two main categories of sparkling wine found in South Africa
inexpensive carbonated sparkling wine
traditional method sparkling wine known as Cap Classique
Describe carbonated sparkling wine in South Africa?
often sweet, consumed in domestic market and exported to sub Saharan territories esp Angola, Mozambique and Nigeria
acceptable to good quality
Describe Cap Classique sparkling wine in South Africa?
rapidly growing market, made with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir as well as Chenin Blanc and Pinotage
med + acidity
med alcohol
ripe apple, citrus fruit with varying autolytic flavors
mid to premium priced
good to very good
What varieties are carbonated wines in South Africa made from?
Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat and Pinotage
General SAT for carbonated S. African wines
simple, fruity wines
off dry to sweet
What was Cap Classique used to be called?
Methode Cap Classique
what is the Cap Classique method
a production method in S. Africa (2nd fermentation in the bottle) AND an association of growers and producers producing these wines
when was the cap Classique association founded?
1992
what are cap classique members responsible for
the production of over 90% of bottle fermented sparkling wine in S. Africa and include top 7 producers
What are the Cap Classique standards that are now enshrined in law
wine to undergo 2nd fermentation in same bottle that goes to market
min 3 bars of pressure post disgorgement
min of 12 mths on lees during 2nd fermentation in bottle
what varieties can be used for Cap Classique?
a wide range, but Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Noir and PInotage make up at least 95% of grapes used in this category
What regions are the fruits for Cap Classique sourced from
wide range, but mostly Robertson, Stellenbosch, Paarl,, Darling, and Tulbagh
What locations in S. AFrica have limestone soils?
Robertson and Bonnievale (Breede River Valley) - some believe produces higher quality wine
Describe the climate in the Breede RIver area
relatively narrow valleys that make it slower to warm up in the morning (shade from the mountain) and temps to drop in the afternoon due to cool breezes from the ocean at Cape Agulhas that run up the Breede River
What regions have the biggest diurnal shift between day and night temps helping to preserve acidity in S. Africa?
Robertson and Bonnievale
besides limestone what other soils are found in S.Africa that vines are grown on?
shale clay and composed granite
Where do producers choose to source fruit from in S. Africa for sparkling wines?
a number of different regions to get more complexity in their wines but also because of the availability of fruit
when do growers pick grapes for Cap Classique
90 days after flowering
why do growers leave more growth on the vines of Cap Classique
to create extra shading which slows down ripening and retains acidity
what potential alcohol are grapes picked for Cap Classique
9.5-11% abv with few final wines being around 12%
How are carbonated wines made in S. Africa?
by stopping fermentation early to retain residual sugar
then carbonated and released for early sale in order to preserve the fruit character
low cost process = inexpensive wines
What is the process of Cap Classique wines that is recommended not required
hand picked into small baskets then whole bunched pressed
What will better producers with press fractions>
separate them and use them as needed during balancing
Does Acidification occur in S. Africa
it is common place
What do some producers do to S. African sparkling wines to increase texture
ferment portions of the fruit in old barrels
Is malolactic conversion used in S. Africa
it is producers choice and no general rule
About how much reserve wines are there in S. Africa
10%
What are some reserve wines used for in S. Africa
some producers use reserve wines by premium houses to add depth of flavor and consistency
What is min time on lees in bottle for Cap CLassique?
12 months but many quality producers opt for longer times - 15-18 months for NV and longer for vintage and prestige cuvee
How are roses made in S. Africa?
either by blending white and red wines in order to control the amount of tannins and color present prior to 2nd fermentation in the bottle OR
by maceration of black grapes prior to primary fermentation (less common)
What is the fastest growing category in S/ Africa
Cap Classique - sales doubling every 5 years in recent decades
increased its share of S. Africa sparkling wine production from 30 to 40% of all production from 2014-2018
Which company in S. Africa exports 50% of tehir production?
graham Beck
What is the challenge of the domestic market
to make Cap Classique attractive to those consumers who currently drink top quality Champagne and to attract middle classes who are moving from beer to wine
In 2020 how many litres of sparkling wine were exported from S. Africa?
3 million - lower than the peak in 2012 due to exchange rates and COVID 19
What are the top export markets for S. Africa
Angola, Sweden and UK
How is the Cap CLassique Producers’ ASsociation funded?
BY A LEVY ACCORDING TO VOL OF PRODUCTION
How does Cap CLassique Producer’s Association promote wine?
through public tastings, an annual tasting of base wines for producers and technical conference every 2 years
Besides the Cap Classique Producer’s Association how else is sparkling wine promoted in S. Africa
through a promotional body: Wines of South Africa
