South Africa

Question 1

Who was the first European settler in the Cape of Good Hope? Why did this person arrive there?

Answer 1

Jan van Riebeeck

Sent by the Dutch East India Company to set up a supply station.

Question 2

What governor of Cape Town founded the Constantia estate?

Answer 2

Simon van der Stel

Question 3

Who created the fabled dessert wines of Constantia?

Answer 3

Hendrick Cloete

Question 4

What was the name of Cloete’s Constantia property?

Answer 4

Groot Constantia

Question 5

What political/economic forces ravaged South Africa’s wine industry in the late 1800s?

Answer 5

The British Empire abolished preferential tariffs, making South Africa’s exports too expensive to be competitive abroad.

Question 6

In what year was the KWV established?

Answer 6

1918

Question 7

Briefly explain the chief complaint against the KWV with regards to wine quality.

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

In what year was the Wine of Origin (WO) system introdcued?

Answer 8

1973

Question 9

List the 4 production areas recognized by the WO scheme, from smallest to largest

Answer 9

Ward
District
Region
Geographical Unit

Question 10

What climate type characterizes the majority of the Western Cape?

Answer 10

Mediterranean

Question 11

What is the Cape Doctor? Briefly describe some benefits and detriments.

Answer 11

A strong southeasterly wind that blows through the Western Cape
Benefits: Moderates temperatures, inhibits fungal pressure
Detriments: Can stress vineyards (especially young)

Question 12

What oceanic feature helps cool the western seaboard of South Africa? From where does this originate?

Answer 12

Benguela Current

Antarctica

Question 13

Constantia sits along the eastern slopes of what geographic feature?

Answer 13

Table Mountain

Question 14

What is commonly added to vineyards in South Africa to balance the soil pH?

Answer 14

Lime - the soils are naturally very acidic and need to be made more basic

Question 15

What is the physiological effect of decomposing clay on the grapevines?

Answer 15

Clay that is breaking down released aluminum, which inhibits the growth of root systems.

Question 16

In what major WO region are shale soils more prominently found?

Answer 16

Cape South Coast

Question 17

Excessively acidic soils slow the release of what major nutrient required by grapevines?

Answer 17

Nitrogen

Question 18

Hillside vineyards are characterized by decomposed _________ with a high proportion (25%+) of _______.

Answer 18

Granite

Clay

Question 19

Calcareous soils are more notably found in what district of the Breede River Valley?

Answer 19

Robertson

Question 20

What geographic feature separates Cape Point from Overberg?

Answer 20

False Bay

Question 21

Steen is a South African synonym for what grape?

Answer 21

Chenin Blanc

Question 22

Crouchen Blanc goes by what name in South Africa?

Answer 22

Cape Riesling

Question 23

What is a common local name for Muscat of Alexandria in South Africa?

Answer 23

Hanepoot

Question 24

What is the most planted red grape in South Africa?

Answer 24

Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 25

Who is responsible for creating Pinotage?

Answer 25

Dr. Abraham Perold

Question 26

Pinotage is the progeny of what varietals?

Answer 26

Pinot Noir

Cinsault

Question 27

Muscat de Frontignan is a synonym for what varietal/cultivar of Muscat?

Answer 27

Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains

Question 28

Name a teinturrier grape grown in South Africa.

Answer 28

Pontac

Question 29

What are 3 of the most common viticultural diseases to affect South African vineyards?

Answer 29

Leafroll Virus
Fanleaf Virus/Degeneration
Corky Bark

Question 30

What is currently the only viable solution for Fanleaf, Leafroll, and Corky Bark?

Answer 30

Full removal of affected vines.

Question 31

What is Cap Classique?

Answer 31

Traditional Method sparkling wine produced in South Africa

Question 32

Under the Wine of Origin scheme what percentage of cultivar and/or vintage is required to be listed on a label?

Answer 32

85%

Question 33

If a geographic/WO-approved designation appears on a label what percentage of grapes must come from said area?

Answer 33

100%

Question 34

True/False: The cultivars for blended wines from South Africa may be vinified together.

Answer 34

False.

Cultivars must be vinified separately.

Question 35

In what order may cultivars in a blended wine be listed on the label?

Answer 35

In order of descending percentage.

Question 36

What are the requirements for a single vineyard-designated wine from South Africa?

Answer 36

1) Less than 6 ha (14.8 acres)
2) Planted to a single cultivar/varietal
3) Legally registered

Question 37

What is the legally permitted range for ABV declarations on South African wine labels?

Answer 37

±0.5%

Question 38

If a South African wine is labelled “dry”, what is the maximum permitted amount of residual sugar?

Answer 38

5 g/l RS

Question 39

Breede River Valley, Olifants River, and Klein Karoo are all WO regions within what Geographical Unit?

Answer 39

Western Cape

Question 40

What is the only recognized ward of the Eastern Cape?

Answer 40

St. Francis Bay

Question 41

Name the districts of Klein Karoo.

Answer 41

Calitzdorp

Langeberg-Garcia

Question 42

Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and Bot River are wards located in what region and district?

Answer 42

Cape South Coast (region)
Walker Bay (district)