South Africa Flashcards

1
Q

What are the two main categories of sparkling wine found in South Africa

A

inexpensive carbonated sparkling wine
traditional method sparkling wine known as Cap Classique

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2
Q

Describe carbonated sparkling wine in South Africa?

A

often sweet, consumed in domestic market and exported to sub Saharan territories esp Angola, Mozambique and Nigeria

acceptable to good quality

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3
Q

Describe Cap Classique sparkling wine in South Africa?

A

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

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4
Q

What varieties are carbonated wines in South Africa made from?

A

Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat and Pinotage

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5
Q

General SAT for carbonated S. African wines

A

simple, fruity wines
off dry to sweet

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6
Q

What was Cap Classique used to be called?

A

Methode Cap Classique

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7
Q

what is the Cap Classique method

A

a production method in S. Africa (2nd fermentation in the bottle) AND an association of growers and producers producing these wines

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8
Q

when was the cap Classique association founded?

A

1992

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9
Q

what are cap classique members responsible for

A

the production of over 90% of bottle fermented sparkling wine in S. Africa and include top 7 producers

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10
Q

What are the Cap Classique standards that are now enshrined in law

A

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

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11
Q

what varieties can be used for Cap Classique?

A

a wide range, but Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Noir and PInotage make up at least 95% of grapes used in this category

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12
Q

What regions are the fruits for Cap Classique sourced from

A

wide range, but mostly Robertson, Stellenbosch, Paarl,, Darling, and Tulbagh

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13
Q

What locations in S. AFrica have limestone soils?

A

Robertson and Bonnievale (Breede River Valley) - some believe produces higher quality wine

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14
Q

Describe the climate in the Breede RIver area

A

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

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15
Q

What regions have the biggest diurnal shift between day and night temps helping to preserve acidity in S. Africa?

A

Robertson and Bonnievale

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16
Q

besides limestone what other soils are found in S.Africa that vines are grown on?

A

shale clay and composed granite

17
Q

Where do producers choose to source fruit from in S. Africa for sparkling wines?

A

a number of different regions to get more complexity in their wines but also because of the availability of fruit

18
Q

when do growers pick grapes for Cap Classique

A

90 days after flowering

19
Q

why do growers leave more growth on the vines of Cap Classique

A

to create extra shading which slows down ripening and retains acidity

20
Q

what potential alcohol are grapes picked for Cap Classique

A

9.5-11% abv with few final wines being around 12%

21
Q

How are carbonated wines made in S. Africa?

A

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

22
Q

What is the process of Cap Classique wines that is recommended not required

A

hand picked into small baskets then whole bunched pressed

23
Q

What will better producers with press fractions>

A

separate them and use them as needed during balancing

24
Q

Does Acidification occur in S. Africa

A

it is common place

25
Q

What do some producers do to S. African sparkling wines to increase texture

A

ferment portions of the fruit in old barrels

26
Q

Is malolactic conversion used in S. Africa

A

it is producers choice and no general rule

27
Q

About how much reserve wines are there in S. Africa

A

10%

28
Q

What are some reserve wines used for in S. Africa

A

some producers use reserve wines by premium houses to add depth of flavor and consistency

29
Q

What is min time on lees in bottle for Cap CLassique?

A

12 months but many quality producers opt for longer times - 15-18 months for NV and longer for vintage and prestige cuvee

30
Q

How are roses made in S. Africa?

A

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)

31
Q

What is the fastest growing category in S/ Africa

A

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

32
Q

Which company in S. Africa exports 50% of tehir production?

A

graham Beck

33
Q

What is the challenge of the domestic market

A

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

34
Q

In 2020 how many litres of sparkling wine were exported from S. Africa?

A

3 million - lower than the peak in 2012 due to exchange rates and COVID 19

35
Q

What are the top export markets for S. Africa

A

Angola, Sweden and UK

36
Q

How is the Cap CLassique Producers’ ASsociation funded?

A

BY A LEVY ACCORDING TO VOL OF PRODUCTION

37
Q

How does Cap CLassique Producer’s Association promote wine?

A

through public tastings, an annual tasting of base wines for producers and technical conference every 2 years

38
Q

Besides the Cap Classique Producer’s Association how else is sparkling wine promoted in S. Africa

A

through a promotional body: Wines of South Africa