South Africa Flashcards
Primary white grape varieties…
Chenin Blanc (Steen) Muscat (Hanepoot) Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc Semillon
South Africa background:
Longest tenure of wine making in New World
Late 1800’s: Phylloxera
Late 20th century/early 21st. Rise of small producers
Primary red grape varieties…
Pinotage (Pinot noir x Cinsault) Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet franc Merlot Shiraz Grenache Pinot noir
Climate in South Africa…
Maritime coastal regions
Mediterranean inland regions
Atlantic/Indian oceans cooling
Effects of Cape Doctor wind
Soils in South Africa:
Ancient and diverse-clay, granite, sandstone
Vineyard issues include high occurrence of Leaf Roll Virus
Wine of origin system:
Introduced in 1973
100% of the grapes from named appellation
Vintage must be 85% of stated year
Varietal must be 85%
Wine of Origin Classifications…
Geographical units Regions Districts Wards Estates Single Vineyards
Geographical units:
Established in 1993 Western Cape Eastern Cape Northern Cape -Orange River Valley KwaZulu-Natal -east coast around Durban Limpopo
Regions:
Coastal Boberg Breede River Valley Oilfants River Klein Karoo Cape South Coast
In what valley is Robertson included?
Breede River Valley
White wine area
What is the dominant wine in Klein Karoo?
Sweet Muscadelle and light wine production
Coastal region districts:
Main region of production
Cool maritime climate
Constantia ward-constantia eatate
Stellenbosch district most prominent quality region for reds
Paarl 2nd most prominent
Swartland-cool coastal & hot inland areas
Other Coastal Region Districts:
Darling Tygerberg Tulbagh Cape Point Franschoek
What are the districts of Cape South Coast Region?
Swellendam Cape Agulhas Plettenberg Bay Overberg (promising for cool climate varieties) Walker Bay (Pinot noir an Chardonnay )
What are the districts of Breede River a Region?
Worcester (largest producer, 23% total)
Robertson (15.5% of total for country)
Swellendam
