South Africa Flashcards
State and explain four climatic influences of the western Cape in South Africa that make grape production possible:
- Vineyards located between 27• and 35• South ensure sunlight and warmth
- It is moderated first by the Benguela current from the Southern Ocean brings cool air up from the Antarctic to balance the heat/warmth
3.Second by the Cape Doctor, south-esterly wind often adds to this current cooling areas in land by a few degrees thus balancing the heat/warmth
- Expansive mountain ranges across the Western Cape are a source of cooler mountain air, in addition to creating cooler higher-altitude sites and creating shadowed areas creating cooler temperatures in those sites
By what other name does Chenin Blanc often go by South Africa?
Steen
What is the most widely planted black grape in South Africa?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Which air current front Antarctica helps to regulate the cooler temperatures of the Cape?
Benguela
Which regions lies on the eastern flanks of Table Mountain?
Constantia
In the 18th and 19th century, dessert wines of Costantia were widely popular in Europe. Which grape was used in the production?
Muscat
According to historians, when were grapes pressed for the first time to make wine in SA?
1652
Pinotage is a crossing of which two grapes?
Pinot Noir and Cinsault
Pinotage blended with other international varieties, is often referred to as what?
Cape Blend
The famous districts of Stellenbosch and Paarl, belong to which Region?
Coastal Region
Name Two areas in South Africa that arr well-know for quality Sauvignon Blanc?
Costantia
Durbanville
Elgin
Elim
Walker Bay
What climatic condition makes these areas well-suited to Sauvigon Blanc production?
They are coastal areas that experience cooling sea breezes such as the Benguela current or the Cape Doctor.
What factors in the vineyard (in Swartland) account for this wine being premium?
The Swartland is an area well-known for old vine Chenin Blanc, which is often dry-farmed (without irrigation) which lowers yields and enhances the concentration of the wine.