South Africa Flashcards
Who was the first European settler in the Cape of Good Hope? Why did this person arrive there?
Jan van Riebeeck
Sent by the Dutch East India Company to set up a supply station.
What governor of Cape Town founded the Constantia estate?
Simon van der Stel
Who created the fabled dessert wines of Constantia?
Hendrick Cloete
What was the name of Cloete’s Constantia property?
Groot Constantia
What political/economic forces ravaged South Africa’s wine industry in the late 1800s?
The British Empire abolished preferential tariffs, making South Africa’s exports too expensive to be competitive abroad.
In what year was the KWV established?
1918
Briefly explain the chief complaint against the KWV with regards to wine quality.
The KWV favored large producers who produced in quantity, not quality.
Subsidies were offered for excess wine and distillate which led producers to plant high-yielding varieties.
In what year was the Wine of Origin (WO) system introdcued?
1973
List the 4 production areas recognized by the WO scheme, from smallest to largest
Ward
District
Region
Geographical Unit
What climate type characterizes the majority of the Western Cape?
Mediterranean
What is the Cape Doctor? Briefly describe some benefits and detriments.
A strong southeasterly wind that blows through the Western Cape
Benefits: Moderates temperatures, inhibits fungal pressure
Detriments: Can stress vineyards (especially young)
What oceanic feature helps cool the western seaboard of South Africa? From where does this originate?
Benguela Current
Antarctica
Constantia sits along the eastern slopes of what geographic feature?
Table Mountain
What is commonly added to vineyards in South Africa to balance the soil pH?
Lime - the soils are naturally very acidic and need to be made more basic
What is the physiological effect of decomposing clay on the grapevines?
Clay that is breaking down released aluminum, which inhibits the growth of root systems.
In what major WO region are shale soils more prominently found?
Cape South Coast
Excessively acidic soils slow the release of what major nutrient required by grapevines?
Nitrogen
Hillside vineyards are characterized by decomposed _________ with a high proportion (25%+) of _______.
Granite
Clay
Calcareous soils are more notably found in what district of the Breede River Valley?
Robertson
What geographic feature separates Cape Point from Overberg?
False Bay
Steen is a South African synonym for what grape?
Chenin Blanc
Crouchen Blanc goes by what name in South Africa?
Cape Riesling
What is a common local name for Muscat of Alexandria in South Africa?
Hanepoot
What is the most planted red grape in South Africa?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Who is responsible for creating Pinotage?
Dr. Abraham Perold
Pinotage is the progeny of what varietals?
Pinot Noir
Cinsault
Muscat de Frontignan is a synonym for what varietal/cultivar of Muscat?
Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains
Name a teinturrier grape grown in South Africa.
Pontac
What are 3 of the most common viticultural diseases to affect South African vineyards?
Leafroll Virus
Fanleaf Virus/Degeneration
Corky Bark
What is currently the only viable solution for Fanleaf, Leafroll, and Corky Bark?
Full removal of affected vines.
What is Cap Classique?
Traditional Method sparkling wine produced in South Africa
Under the Wine of Origin scheme what percentage of cultivar and/or vintage is required to be listed on a label?
85%
If a geographic/WO-approved designation appears on a label what percentage of grapes must come from said area?
100%
True/False: The cultivars for blended wines from South Africa may be vinified together.
False.
Cultivars must be vinified separately.
In what order may cultivars in a blended wine be listed on the label?
In order of descending percentage.
What are the requirements for a single vineyard-designated wine from South Africa?
1) Less than 6 ha (14.8 acres)
2) Planted to a single cultivar/varietal
3) Legally registered
What is the legally permitted range for ABV declarations on South African wine labels?
±0.5%
If a South African wine is labelled “dry”, what is the maximum permitted amount of residual sugar?
5 g/l RS
Breede River Valley, Olifants River, and Klein Karoo are all WO regions within what Geographical Unit?
Western Cape
What is the only recognized ward of the Eastern Cape?
St. Francis Bay
Name the districts of Klein Karoo.
Calitzdorp
Langeberg-Garcia
Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and Bot River are wards located in what region and district?
Cape South Coast (region) Walker Bay (district)
