South Africa Flashcards
What is the general climate for South Africa’s Western Cape?
Warm Mediterranean
The 6 key influences that affect the climate of South Africa’s growing regions are:
- The Western Cape’s mountain ranges, slopes + aspects;
- The region’s proximity to the ocean;
- Benguela current (cold);
- Agulhas current (warm) mingling with Benguela current lowers water temperatures between Cape Town and Cape Agulhas;
- Large temperature variance between warmer land and cooler ocean creates regular beneficial coastal fog and cooling breezes;
- Cape Doctor (extends impact of Benguela current).
What is the Agulhas Current?
A warmer current from the Indian Ocean – the Benguela current intersects it and together they lower the water temperatures between Cape Town and Cape Agulhas.
In South Africa, how is beneficial coastal fog formed along the coast?
The large difference in temperatures between the ocean and land.
What is the Cape Doctor?
What are four of its effects?
A southeasterly wind that blows in the spring and summer – it extends the impact of the Benguela Current;
Inhibits disease;
Brings occasional rain to the South Coast;
Can damage leaves (affecting photosynthesis + ripeness);
Can hugely affect the flowering process and berry set, reducing yields.
When does rain typically fall in South Africa?
May through August.
Why does rainfall drop dramatically north of the Western Cape (and regions become drier as one goes north)?
Benguela Current’s impact doesn’t reach this far north; plus, mountains along the coastline block Atlantic influence.
This is why irrigation or the promotion of old vines is essential in the drier northern areas.
What are the top two planted white grapes of South Africa?
Chenin Blanc;
Colombard.
What are the top two planted red grapes of South Africa?
Cabernet Sauvignon;
Shiraz.
What is the crossing of Pinotage?
Pinot Noir x Cinsault
Pinotage
When does it bud?
Why does it reach potentially high alcohol?
What is a typical skin maceration time?
Early budding;
Small berries reach high sugar levels;
3 days for lighter colored wines, 5 days for darker colored wines.
What are the three main types of soils found in Western Cape?
What are their properties?
Table Mountain sandstone: sandy, low nutrients, low water retention. Needs careful irrigation and fertilization;
Granite-derived: found on mountain foothill slopes and hilly areas. Good water retention, can be dry farmed;
Shale-derived: Good nutrient levels, good water retention, can be dry farmed.
Select the correct answer.
Most Cape soils are excessively:
Acidic
Alkaline
Balanced
Acidic – they need adjustments with lime to achieve suitable pH for viticulture.
What are the 3 diseases that have recently afflicted South African vineyards?
Fanleaf virus;
Leafroll virus;
Powdery mildew (pretty common).
What is the most common form of pruning in South Africa?
Cordon with VSP with a fruiting wire at 0.75m for ease of pruning.
What are three factors that affect yields in South Africa?
Irrigation;
Vine spacing;
Vine age.
Few South African producers are accredited as organic or biodynamic, but most of them follow the Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) system.
What is the IPW system?
It oversees all aspects of growing and winemaking from carbon emissions, to staff training and conservation of soil, rivers and wetlands.
High volume inexpensive Chenin Blanc vs. Low volume premium Chenin Blanc:
How do their yields differ?
High volume – sprayed regularly to avoid botrytis, no or minimal sorting to keep yields high;
Low volume – typically dry farmed and managed for low yields, some botrytis if that style desired, careful sorting.
High volume inexpensive Chenin Blanc vs. Low volume premium Chenin Blanc:
How do the blends differ?
High volume – can have up to 15% other grape(s) blended in, usually of lesser value (e.g Colombard);
Low volume – 100% Chenin Blanc.
High volume inexpensive Chenin Blanc vs. Low volume premium Chenin Blanc:
What is the approach of each in regards to yeast, acidification, and malo?
High volume – cultured yeast and acidification normal, no malo;
Low volume – ambient or cultured yeast (producer choice), acidification avoided; no malo.
High volume inexpensive Chenin Blanc vs. Low volume premium Chenin Blanc:
What are the fermentation temps and vessels used for primary fermentation?
High volume – cool fermentation temps in stainless steel or concrete tanks to retain primary fruit;
Low volume – cool fermentation temps in inert vessels (large format, old oak, concrete eggs, amphora); if the wine is being oaked, they’ll use new oak for primary for better integration.
High volume inexpensive Chenin Blanc vs. Low volume premium Chenin Blanc:
In what vessels will the wine typically rest?
How does each approach oak?
High volume – stainless steel or old oak; if oak flavor desired, will use staves or chips;
Low volume – Rest sur lie 3-9 mos in inert vessel, maybe use bâtonnage if richer style desired, 10-12 mos in oak for maturation.
High volume inexpensive Chenin Blanc vs. Low volume premium Chenin Blanc:
What is the approach for residual sugar?
High volume – adjusted using RCGM to 5g/L or more, depending on target market;
Low volume – not adjusted (usually RS ends up being in the 1.5 - 6.0g/L range).
High volume inexpensive Chenin Blanc vs. Low volume premium Chenin Blanc:
Where is the wine bottled?
High volume – wine transported in bulk and bottled in final market;
Low volume – wine bottled in South Africa and transported to final market.
High volume inexpensive Pinotage vs. Low volume premium Pinotage:
How do their maturations differ, and when is each released?
High volume – matured in stainless steel or used oak with oak alternatives. Released 6-12 months after the vintage;
Low volume – matured in French oak for 12-15 months. Released 2 years after the vintage.
What are the ‘big six’ grape varieties of South Africa?
Chenin Blanc;
Sauvignon Blanc;
Chardonnay;
Cabernet Sauvignon;
Shiraz;
Pinotage.
What are the three main blends of South Africa?
What grapes do they consist of?
White Cape blends – Chenin-dominant, Rhône varieties, Chardonnay, Semillon or Sauvignon Blanc;
Red Bordeaux blends – white Bdx blends are made, too;
Red Cape blends – usually heavy proportion of Pinotage and/or Rhône varieties.
q
What is the Wine of Origin hierarchy in South Africa from largest to smallest?
Geographical Unit – very large areas, e.g. Western Cape;
Region – large areas, e.g. Coastal Region;
District – e.g. Stellenbosch;
Ward – smaller, defined area within a district defined by soil, climate, or geological factors.
In South Africa, what are the laws surrounding a wine that is labeled as a single vineyard?
Vineyard must be registered + planted with a single variety;
Must be 6ha or smaller.
What four regions of South Africa do you need to know for the exam?
Coastal Region;
Cape South Coast Region;
Olifants River Region;
Breede River Valley Region.
What are the important 8 Districts and 4 Wards of Coastal Region?
Cape Town
- Constantia
- Durbanville
Stellenbosch
- Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Paarl
- Simonsberg-Paarl
Franschhoek Valley
Darling
Swartland
Tulbagh
Wellington
The ward Constantia is known for Vin de Constance.
What is Vin de Constance?
Sweet wine made of Muscat (de Frontignan) by Klein Constantia.
Typically 14% abv, full bodied, fresh and vibrant layered with flavors of ginger, marmalade, and grapefruit.
Most vineyards in Constantia are planted on what kind of soil facing which direction?
Granite over sandstone soils facing east.
Good drainage.
