South Africa

Question 1

What is the largest single planted variety in South Africa?

Answer 1

Chenin Blanc

Question 2

Describe the climate in South Africa

Answer 2

• As a broad generalisation, South Africa’s Western cape has a warm Mediterranean climate
• the region if affected by influences from altitude, aspect, winds and ocean currents
• The Benguela current flows northwards, and up the western coast of South Africa on the west coast, it meets the warm Mozambique current which flows from the Indian Ocean, therefore cooling the region between Cape Town and Cape Agulhas.
• The cooling influence of this current is extended by the south-easterly Cape Doctor wind; this wind also helps prevent disease in vineyards.

Question 3

Pinotage has the potential to create high alcohol, deeply coloured wines. But which two black grape varieties is it a crossing of?

Answer 3

Pinot Noir
Cinsault

Question 4

Most regions in South Africa grow the ‘big six’ grape varieties. List them.

Answer 4

Shiraz
Chenin Blanc
Chardonnay
Cabernet Sauvignon
Pinotage
Sauvignon Blanc

Question 5

What are three main soil type’s in South Africa’s Western Cape. Provide a brief description of each

Answer 5

Granite: these soils are found on the foothill slopes of mountains and in hilly areas. They have good water-retention properties, indicating a potential for dry-farming.

Shale: these soils have good nutrient levels and good water-retention properties, indicating a potential for dry-farming.

Table Mountain sandstone: Low in nutrients and poor water retention. As a result, vineyards on these soils may need careful attention to irrigation and fertilisation.

Question 6

What is the KWV in South Africa

Answer 6

Before the 1990s, the South African wine industry was dominated by the giant
co-operative known as the KWV. It had regulatory powers to determine production volumes and prices. The KWV supported South Africa’s system of racial segregation and discrimination, known as apartheid.

Starting in 1992, the KWV’s rights were systematically repealed and it was finally re-organized into a private business in 1997. Its tremendous powers had included the right to fix the prices of both distilling and beverage wine; approve all wine purchases between producers and merchants (producers were prohibited from selling direct); set quotas for plantings and production; and control the importation, propagation and distribution of vine cuttings.

Question 7

Describe the process of making a high volume inexpensive South African Chenin Blanc

Answer 7

• Fruit grown at high yields.
• Vineyards sprayed regularly to avoid all botrytis.
• Minimal or no sorting of harvested fruit.
• 15% of another variety may be blended into the wine.
• Acidification a normal practice.
• Oak flavours (if desired) coming from chips or staves.
• Residual sugar may be adjusted using RCGM.
• Wine stabilised, fined and filtered for early release.
• Transportation in bulk.
• Bottled in final market.

Question 8

Describe the process of making a small volume premium South African Chenin Blanc

Answer 8

• Fruit grown at low yields.
• A small amount of Botrytis may be allowed.
• Careful sorting of harvested fruit.
• 100% Chenin Blanc.
• Acidification typically avoided.
• Lees aging for 3-9 months typical.
• Bâtonnage carried out if richer style desired.
• Wines bottled without adjustment of sugar.
• Wine bottled in South Africa.

Question 9

In South Africa, production areas are defied by the Wines of Origin scheme. List the classifications in the scheme from largest area covered to smallest area.

Answer 9

Geographical Unit
Region
District
Ward

Question 10

List two wards in Cape Town

Answer 10

Cape Town
Durbanville

Question 11

Name a ward in Stellenbosch

Answer 11

Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

Question 12

List three wards in Walker Bay

Answer 12

Hemel-en-Aarde
Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
Bot River

Question 13

Give an overview of Swartland

Answer 13

• Warm, dry climate
• Rhone grape varieties
• Producers: Charles Back, Eben Sadie and Mullineaux
• Very good/ Outstanding wines

Question 14

Give an overview of Elgin

Answer 14

• Cloud cover, cooling influence of the ocean
• Cooler climate varieties
• Producers: Paul Cluver and Richard Kershaw
• very good/ outstanding wines

Question 15

Give an overview of Robertson

Answer 15

• Low rainfall, cooling winds from the south east
• Chardonnay
• Producers: Boekenhoutskloof and Cape Chamonix
• very good/ outstanding

Question 16

Give an overview of Constantia

Answer 16

• Cooling sea breezes, high rainfall
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Producers: Steenberg and Klein Constantia
• very good/ outstanding

Question 17

In addition to the Wine of Origin and the certification schemes, a number of initiatives have been created to bring together the industry to form common goals in South Africa. List them.

Answer 17

WWF-SA Conservation Champion Programme
Biodiversity and Wine Initiative (BWI)
Integrated Production of Wine (IPW)
Integrity and Sustainability seal
Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association (WIETA)
Sustainable Wine South Africa

Question 18

Define Sustainable Wine South Africa

Answer 18

The alliance between the WSB, IPW, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and WOSA.

Question 19

Define Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association (WIETA)

Answer 19

Voluntary association of businesses that commit to an audited scheme of ethical trade with a focus on working conditions for workers.

Question 20

Define Integrity and Sustainability seal

Answer 20

Created in 2010 it guarantees a certified wine’s environmental credentials such as chemical usage, water management and introduction of natural predators. Also links with the Wine of Origin scheme to increase traceability.

Question 21

Define the Integrated Production of Wine (IPW)

Answer 21

Created in 1998, an independently audited set of guidelines for sustainable farming that covers environmental impact, water usage, health and safety and biodiversity protection.

Question 22

Define the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative (BWI)

Answer 22

Created in 2005 but has largely fallen out of usage. Since 2015 over 90 per cent of the South African wine industry was able to certify their wine as being environmentally friendly.

Question 23

Define the WWF-SA Conservation Champion Programme

Answer 23

A new version of an older initiative. This one which recognises producers who commit to biodiversity conservation and improvement of production practices, energy-efficient measures and water stewardship.