South africa Flashcards
Climatic influences of South Africa
(Mountains and oceans ranges )
Mountains range : divide the country into climates zones
-coastal side cool and rainy
-inland is hot and dry
-middle valleys middle temperature
Oceans :
Atlantic and Indian Ocean have important influence, especially Atlantic with Benguela current from Antarctica cool moist breeze which slows the growing season
Cape doctor wind in Spring/Summer blows from southeast
Climate and soil of South Africa
Climate is mainly Mediterranean with long dry summers and rains mostly in winter months
Soils are made of granite and sandstone. Quartz , shale and slate, some clay too
Wine law of South Africa and labeling regulation
Wine Origin 100% grapes used from a certain appellation ( certain area)
85% of variety is required to label the grape variety on the bottle
85% is required to for vintage
Geographical units of South Africa
Western cape -Northern Cape-Eastern Cape-Limpopo-North West- Free State- KwaZulu-Natal
Western Cape regions
5 regions
Breede river valley
Klein Karoo
Olifants river
Cape south coast
Coastal region
Breede river valley districts and grapes
Breedekloof: chenin blanc , Chardonnay , Sauvignon blanc , pinotage , colombard
Robertson: cooled by ocean breeze and in warm side of the region
- Chardonnay ( methode cap classique)
Worcester: hot and dry but frost is a problem
-chenin blanc , colombard for brandy production
Cape Agulhas
*Cape south coast region
Soil : shale and ferricrete
Very windy area
High quality Sauvignon Blanc(grassy and green tones)
Ward: Elon
Coastal region
Cape Town district (Constantia Ward)
Darling district
Franschhoek valley
Paarl
Stellenbosch
Swartland
Tulbagh
Wellington
Cape Town district
Constantia
Cool climate-ocean influence-cape doctor wind
Clay sandstone granite
Vin de Constance
Sauvignon Blanc- muscat petit grains
Darling district
Southwest corner of Swartland
Ward to district
Sauvignon Blanc-Cinsault
Franschhoek
Between Stellenbosch-Paarl
Vineyards on slopes
Old vines Semillion
Chardonnay-Sauvignon Blanc
Cabernet Sauvignon
Paarl
Quality wines and bulk wines
Hot climate
Chenin blanc main variety
Cabernet Sauvignon- Shiraz- Pinotage-Merlot
Chardonnay - Sauvignon Blanc
Rhône varieties
Stellenbosch
Climate from maritime to arid
Warmer then costal regions but influence from ocean breeze
Viticulture take place on slopes
Cabernet Sauvignon- Chardonnay dominant varieties
Chenin Blanc-Sauvignon Blanc
Shiraz - Merlot- Pinotage
Capensis - Deleire graff- De Toren
Swartland
Extend from coast to inland
Hot climate with ocean breeze inland
Maritime on coast
Head-trained bush vines
Old vines
Chenin Blanc- Sauvignon Blanc
Cabernet Sauvignon- Shiraz -Pinotage
Tulbagh District
Inland from Swartland - surrounded by mountains
Cool and rain in winter
Air current moderate the temperatures in summer spring
Wind hazard damage
Chenin Blanc - Cabernet Sauvignon- Rhône varieties
Wellington district
Between Paarl and Tulbagh
Hot and dry
Diurnal range temperate the heat of the day
Chenin Blanc
Shiraz- Pinotage - Grenache - Carignan
Elgin district
From ward to district
southeast of Stellenbosch
Coolest region of SA
Soil: sandstone and shale
•risk of rain in growing season
•high humidity ( mildew, botrytis, fruit dilution)
•frost
Grapes :
Chardonnay-Sauvignon Blanc -Riesling
Pinot noir - Merlot
Overberg District
*Overberg district
Cold windy and wet place
Steep vineyards
Rocky soil with slate, shale, clay, limestone
Grapes:
Chardonnay-Sauvignon Blanc- Shiraz
Ward: Greyton,Klein River
Swellendam district
*Swellendam district
Inland , protected from ocean
Cool climate region Viticulture
Soil : presence of stone similar to Chateauneuf-du-pape
Grapes :
Rhône varieties
Roussanne- Grenache - Mourvèdre-Shiraz
Ward: Melgas
Walker bay
*Walker bay
Most famous district in the region
Located on the coast of
Cool maritime climate
Unique soil
Hemel-en-Aarde and Bot river Wards high quality wines
Grapes : Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Old Chenin blanc vines in Gabrielskloof
Semillion-pinotage - Shiraz - Mourvèdre
Hamilton Russel famous maker
Cape south coast region
Cool climate
Noble varieties :
Sauvignon Blanc- Chardonnay
Pinot noir - Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon
District of Cape south coast region
Elgin - Overberg- Swellendam- Cape Agulhas- Walker bay
Klein Karoo region
Produce port style wines and sweet wines
Colombard - Chenin Blanc - Hanepoot
Where is Calitzdorp district ?
Klein Karoo
Olifant river region
North of Swartland
Bulk wines
Chenin Blanc- Colombard - Sauvignon Blanc
Shiraz -Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon
Hanepoot- Ruby Cabernet
Methode cap classique
Made of variety/ region
Must have second fermentation in bottle
Lees contact at least 12 months
Brut - Extra Brut - Brut nature
Max 12gr- max 6 gr- max 3gr residual sugar
Which district is most famous for MCC in South Africa ?
Robertson Valley
Limestone soil
What is a Cape Blend ?
Wine must contain 30-70% of Pinotage in the blend
