South Africa

Question 1

The heart of South African viticulture is in the ____ Cape.

Answer 1

Western Cape

Question 2

What are the 2 main climate categories of South Africa?

Answer 2

1. Maritime climate on the coast;
2. Mediterranean to hot moving inland.

Question 3

What are the 2 oceans that surround South Africa?

Answer 3

Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

Question 4

What kind of effect on climate do the Atlantic and Indian Oceans have on South Africa?

Answer 4

Cooling effect

Question 5

What is Table Mountain in South Africa?

Answer 5

A flat-topped mountain in southwestern South Africa overlooking Cape Town and Table Bay, dominating the northern end of the high, rocky Cape Peninsula.

Its tabular shape results from nearly horizontal layers of sandstone exposed by vigorous wind and water erosion.

Question 6

Fill in the blank.

Cold Atlantic currents from _______ cool parts of the South African coast line.

Answer 6

Antarctica

Question 7

In South Africa, what is the name of the wind that blows from spring to summer?

Answer 7

Cape Doctor

Question 8

Describe the Cape Doctor and its effects.

Answer 8

• Strong, dry, south-easterly wind that blows onto shore and the vineyards from spring to summer.
• Helps mitigate pest issues.

Question 9

What is the Benguela Current and which winemaking region does it affect?

Answer 9

• A frigid current in the Atlantic Ocean from Antarctica.
• Cools portions of the South African coast.

Question 10

More so than still table wines, South Africa has a history of what other types and styles of libations?

Answer 10

• Distillation and brandy production.
• Sweet, oxidative, fortified wines.

Question 10

What is the Old Vines Project in South Africa?

Answer 10

The project’s objective is to preserve old vines and promote sustainable viticultural practices in order to create more old vines.

Question 11

Fill in the blank.

Traditional method sparkling wine from South Africa is called _______.

Answer 11

Cap Classique

Question 12

What are the top 3 white grape varieties grown in South Africa?

Answer 12

1. Chenin Blanc
2. Chardonnay
3. Sauvignon Blanc

Question 13

What are the top 3 red grape varieties grown in South Africa?

Answer 13

1. Syrah/Shiraz
2. Pinot Noir
3. Pinotage

Question 14

What is the crossing of Pinotage?

Answer 14

Cinsault x Pinot Noir

Question 15

Fill in the blank.

The wine classification system in South Africa is called the ________.

Answer 15

Wine of Origin System

Question 16

Fill in the blank.

In South Africa, if a wine is from a single appellation, it must be ____% from that appellation.

Answer 16

100%

Question 17

From largest to smallest, list the Wine of Origin System in South Africa.

Answer 17

• Geographical Unit
• Region
• District
• Ward

Question 18

Fill in the blank.

The Geographical Unit in South Africa you need to know for the CMS 2 exam is ________ _____.

Answer 18

Western Cape

Question 19

What are the 3 Regions of the Western Cape Geographical Unit you need to know for the CMS 2 exam?

Answer 19

1. Coastal Region
2. Cape South Coast Region
3. Klein Karoo Region

Question 20

Name the 6 Districts you need to know within the Coastal Region.

Answer 20

1. Swartland
2. Cape Town
3. Stellenbosch
4. Paarl
5. Constantia
6. Franschhoek Valley

Question 21

Name 4 Districts you need to know in the Cape South Coast Region.

Answer 21

1. Elgin
2. Walker Bay
3. Cape Agulhas
4. Overberg

Question 22

Klein Karoo is best known for this style of wine and this distillate.

Answer 22

• Sweet fortified wines
• Brandy

Question 23

In South Africa, what is the KWV?

Answer 23

Koöperatieve Wijnbouwers Vereniging van Suid-Afrika

Co-operative Winemakers Union of South Africa.

Question 24

Why is the KWV important in South Africa?

Answer 24

For creating laws and regulation.

Question 25

Name 4 important wine producers in South Africa.

Answer 25

1. Mulderbosch
2. Hamilton Russell
3. A. A. Badenhorst
4. Eben Sadie

Question 26

Name a lead producer of Cap Classique.

Answer 26

Graham Beck

Question 27

Name a lead producer of sweet wine in South Africa.

Answer 27

Klein Constantia

Question 28

When did the Dutch settle in South Africa?

Answer 28

1600s (17th century)

Question 29

Who was Simon van der Stel and why is he important to South African wine history?

Answer 29

• He was the first Governor of the Dutch Cape Colony (1691).
• Founded the vast Constantia estate.
• He is considered the father of wine production in South Africa.
• He founded the town of Stellenbosch.
• He is also said to have created the important wine “Vin de Constance”.

Question 30

When was the Anglo-Boer War?

Answer 30

1899 – 1902

It was a conflict fought between the British Empire and the two Boer republics over the Empire’s influence in Southern Africa.

Question 31

When did phylloxera hit South Africa?

Answer 31

• The latter half of the 19th century.
• Between phylloxera and colonial war, South Africa was decimated at the turn of the century and entered a period of decline.

Question 32

Very generally, what was Apartheid in South Africa?

Answer 32

The segregationist system instituted by South Africa in the late 1940s that ended in 1994.

Question 33

What was the effect of Apartheid on the export wine market?

Answer 33

It hampered efforts at renewing international interest in the country’s wines post-phylloxera.

Question 34

South Africa saw an internal shift from fortified wines to table wines in the mid-20th century, but those who led South Africa’s wine industry did not encourage high quality.

After what point in the country’s racial policy did South Africa start its modern journey to produce world-class wines?

Answer 34

After Apartheid officially ended in 1992

Question 35

Briefly describe the range of wines coming out of South Africa today.

Answer 35

Wines range from sparkling to light and crisp to rich and intense.

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