South Africa

Question 1

The majority of South Africa’s vine growing regions lies between which 2 latitudes?

Answer 1

32° - 35° south of the Equator

These latitudes were updated in 2022 per the WSET 3 addendum. Know that the former latitudes were 27° - 34°, which are found in the textbook.

Question 2

Generally, the climate of South Africa is ______.

Answer 2

Hot

If not for a fortunate combination of mountains, winds, and ocean currents, most of South Africa would be inhospitable to viticulture.

Question 3

What is the name of the ocean current that helps make viticulture possible in South Africa?

Answer 3

The Benguela Current, a cold ocean current which flows up from the Antarctic.

Fun Fact: This current is caused by powerful southeasterly winds which blow the surface waters away from the sub-continent, forcing cold water to rise, or upwell, from great depths that don’t receive any sunshine. From South Africa the current flows northwards, up the west coast of Africa, towards the equator.

Question 4

What is the name for the series of summer southeasterly winds that help make viticulture possible in South Africa?

Answer 4

The Cape Doctor, which are strong, cool, southeasterly winds that blow through False Bay up to Cape Town and further inland.

Fun Fact: It’s called the “Cape Doctor” because it sweeps away all the air pollution produced by traffic and industry in the city.

Question 5

South Africa has several mountain ranges that run throughout the wine regions.

What are the mountains’ effects on viticulture?

Answer 5

• different altitudes
• different aspects
• different site climates
• different soils
• valley floor warmer
• rugged terrain can cast shadows over vineyards, creating cooler spots

Question 6

What is the most widely planted grape, of either color, in South Africa?

Answer 6

Chenin Blanc

South African wine regions have taken so well to Chenin Blanc that it is now more widely planted in South Africa than it is in France.

Question 7

What is the second most widely planted white grape in South Africa?

Answer 7

Colombard

Colombard is not widely used in still wine production in South Africa, but plays a significant role in South African brandy production.

Question 8

What is the most planted red/black grape variety in South Africa?

Answer 8

Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 9

What grape variety, rarely seen outside of South Africa, has become a flagship for South Africa?

Answer 9

Pinotage

Question 10

What are the parent grapes for Pinotage?

Answer 10

Pinot Noir and Cinsault

Cinsault was formerly known as Hermitage, especially in South Africa. The name ‘Pinotage’ is a combination of ‘Pinot’ and ‘Hermitage.’

Question 11

What is Hanepoot?

What is it used for?

Answer 11

The South African name for Muscat of Alexandria.

Used for late-harvest sweet wines.

Fun Fact: Hanepoot means “hen’s feet” in Afrikaans, referring to the claw-like appearance of the stems in the grape bunches.

Question 12

What is South Africa’s Geographic Indication (G.I.) system called?

Answer 12

The Wine of Origin (W.O.) Scheme.

Question 13

What are the four different production area designations under the Wine of Origin scheme according to size?

Answer 13

From largest to smallest they are:

1. Geographical Unit
2. Regions
3. Districts
4. Wards

Question 14

What are the requirements for a South African wine to be labeled as an Estate Wine?

Answer 14

• The wine itself must come from a single estate;
• The estate’s vineyards must be within a single geographical area;
• The wines must be made on the estate’s premises all the way up to and including bottling.

Question 15

What is presently the most important Geographical Unit in South Africa?

Answer 15

The Western Cape

The Western Cape is important as a wine appellation as it allows producers to blend the best parcels of grapes from widely different areas.

Question 16

The Western Cape accounts for what percentage of the South African wine market?

Answer 16

> 90%

Question 17

Outside of the Western Cape, where is the majority of South African wines made?

Answer 17

Orange River, an independent ward in the Northern Cape Geographical Area.

The Orange River is known for bulk and everyday wines that are not often seen outside of South Africa.

Question 18

What District has long been the heart of production for fine wine in South Africa?

Answer 18

Stellenbosch

Question 19

What geographic features contribute to the success of Stellenbosch’s fine wine production?

Answer 19

Stellenbosch’s unique combination of varying elevations, aspect/vineyard placement, soil composition, and geological history all create a unique terroir for its wine production.

It’s because of this diversity that Stellenbosch district has so many wards.

Question 20

Stellenbosch is known for producing red wines from which grape varieties?

Answer 20

Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (the latter two used to make Bordeaux blends).

Cape red blends are often made using these grapes.

Question 21

Stellenbosch successfully produces white wines from what grape varieties?

Answer 21

Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc

Question 22

What large, important district of South Africa is located north of Stellenbosch?

Answer 22

Paarl

see map on p.161 of the textbook

Question 23

The Paarl region makes red wines from what grape varieties?

Answer 23

Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Pinotage

Question 24

Paarl is known for its white wines made from which grape varieties?

Answer 24

Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay

Question 25

Paarl tends to be warmer or cooler than Stellenbosch?

Why?

Answer 25

• Warmer
• Further inland
• Fewer effects from oceanic influence

Question 26

Which Ward in the Western Cape has some of the region’s oldest vines?

Answer 26

Constantia

Question 27

Constantia’s oldest vines are situated on the east side of what mountain?

Answer 27

Table Mountain

Question 28

Constantia is known for producing very good still white table wines from which grape variety?

Answer 28

Sauvignon Blanc

Question 29

The cooler sites of Constantia specialize in which grape varieties?

Answer 29

White grape varieties, especially Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.

Question 30

The warmer sites in Constantia are planted to what grape varieties?

Answer 30

Red/black grapes, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.

Question 31

Constantia’s famous dessert wine, Vin de Constance, is made from what grape variety?

Answer 31

Late harvest Muscat

Question 32

The Cape Doctor constantly cools the vineyards of which ward?

Answer 32

Constantia

Question 33

Which district in South Africa used to be viewed just as a place that made bulk wines but in recent years has changed its image to become a more quality-centered wine region, especially for its white blends?

Answer 33

Swartland

White blends from Swartland are often Chenin Blanc-based wines with Rhône varieties such as Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, and Viognier added.

Question 34

Swartland has built its new reputation based on which grape varieties?

Answer 34

Old vine Chenin Blanc and Syrah

Question 35

Swartland’s best vineyards are known for practicing what viticultural technique?

Answer 35

Dry farming (no irrigation)

Question 36

Thanks to the Atlantic Ocean’s cool breezes, the Darling district has become successful in growing which grape variety?

Answer 36

Sauvignon Blanc

Question 37

Which South African ward north of Cape Town is known for its hillsides, cooling sea breezes, and Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 37

Durbanville ward

Question 38

Which district in Breede River Valley is known for growing grapes destined for distillation?

Which grapes here are used for distillation?

Answer 38

District: Worcester

Grapes: Chenin Blanc and Colombard

Question 39

Worcester’s climate is so hot and so arid that viticulturists have to use _______ in their vineyards.

Answer 39

Irrigation

The water is drawn from the Breede River.

Question 40

How does the climate of the Robertson district compare to that of the Worcester district?

Answer 40

Robertson is slightly cooler because it receives southeasterly winds, and because of this it is emerging as a higher quality wine growing area.

Question 41

Robertson district is known for producing quality wines from which grape varieties?

Answer 41

Syrah and Chardonnay

Question 42

Which 2 districts in Cape South Coast have reputations for being cool areas, and what are the features that cool them?

Answer 42

1. Walker Bay - sits right on the Atlantic Ocean and receives direct, cool sea breezes;
2. Elgin - has some ocean influence but also has some dramatic elevation.

Question 43

Hemel-en-Aarde Ward has built a reputation as being a producer of some of South Africa’s finest wines made from _______ and _______.

Answer 43

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

Question 44

What grapes perform best in the Elgin District?

Answer 44

Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir are best suited for Elgin’s climate as well as some Chardonnay and Syrah.

Question 45

Which ward of South Africa is located at the southern tip of the Western Cape?

Answer 45

Elim ward, which is in Cape Agulhas district

Question 46

Elim is gaining a reputation for crafting which two grape varieties?

Answer 46

Flinty, pungent Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah (sometimes labeled as Shiraz).