South Africa Flashcards
Important cooling influences on South Africa
Cape Doctor = strong summer winds
The Benguela Current
These two together can drop the temp by a few degrees
Another defining feature of South African wine lands:
Prominent Mountain ranges running throughout the wine region which offer producers a multitude of different soils and a range of different climate sites
Which hemisphere is South Africa in?
Southern Hemisphere
Black grape varieties of South Africa
Cab Sav
Merlot
Syrah
Pinot Noir
Pinotage
White varieties of South Africa?
Chenin Blanc
Sav Blanc
Chardonnay
Where does most South African wine come from?
The Western Cape
Wines of the coastal region Stellenbosch
Top class red wines from Cab Sav and Merlot (often made in Bordeaux style blends)
Syrah and Cape blends
Sav Blanc and Chardonnay
Paarl district
Mountainous terrain with a range of altitudes, aspects and soils just like Stellenbosch.
Cab Sab
Syrah
Pinotage
Chenin Blanc
Chardonnay
Constantia
Oldest vineyards in the cape.
Cooled by the Cape Doctor and produces have reputation for their Savignon Blanc.
Vin de Constance - made from late harvested Muscat
Sav Blanc and Semillon also planted south of Table Mountain
Durbanville
Sav Blanc
Swartland
Used to be a source of inexpensive wines but now a centre of innovation and premium wine production
-old vine chenin Blanc
High quality Syrah
(Both of which are dry farmed (grown without irrigation lowering yields but concentrating fruit)
Breede River Valley -Worchester
Hot and dry and irrigation is essential.
White wines made from chenin Blanc and colombard
Breede River Valley-Robertson
Well made wines for high-volume brands
Excellent Syrahs and full bodied chardonnays
Cape South Coast - Walker Bay
Contains the various wards of Hemel en Aarde.
These contain high quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Elgin district
Altitude
Fresh Sav Blancs
