South Africa

Question 1

What century does South Africa’s wine production date back to?

Answer 1

17th century

Question 2

What did the cape of South Africa serve as?

Answer 2

A refueling and trade station for ships on voyages to India and beyond as well as a settlement for Dutch East India Company.

Question 3

When were the first vines planted in South Africa?

Answer 3

1655.

Question 4

When did grape-growing begin to flourish in South Africa?

Answer 4

In 1688 when French Huguenots arrived to the cape bringing strong winemaking skills.

Question 5

When did South African wines fain full access to export markets?

Answer 5

In 1944 when the apartheid came to a definitive end with fully democratic elections and economic boycotts were lifted.

Question 6

What rank does South Africa hold in world wine production?

Answer 6

It is in the top 10.

Question 7

Where is South Africa located?

Answer 7

Southern tip of Africa adjacent to both the Atlantic and Indian oceans.

Question 8

What is the climate in South Africa?

Answer 8

Mostly maritime (cool effect of oceans)
Becomes very warm/hot as you move inland.

Question 9

What kind of soils are found in South Africa?

Answer 9

Ancient and diverse.

Question 10

What are the main grape varieties of South Africa?

Answer 10

(whites)
Chenin Blanc
Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc

(reds)
Pinotage
Cabernet Sauvignon
Syrah
Merlot
Pinot Noir

Question 11

What grape is locally called ‘steen’?

Answer 11

Chenin Blanc.

Question 12

In terms of viticulture, what is there a high occurrence of in South Africa?

Answer 12

Vine virus.

Question 13

What is The Cape Doctor?

Answer 13

A strong southeasterly wind that blows across the western cape in the spring/summer.

Question 14

What effect does The Cape Doctor have on viticulture?

Answer 14

Helps suppress fungal disease
Helps moderate temperatures
Can innjure vines/disturb flowering

Question 15

What is the KWV?

Answer 15

The “Kooperatiewe Wijnbouwers Vereniging van ZuidAfrika”

An organization formed in 1918 to rescue South African wine industry from disaster of phylloxera and severe loss of imports in 1800’s.

Question 16

What did the KWV do for the wine industry?

Answer 16

They produced wine, stabilized prices, and established a quote system that emphasized quantity over quality.

They controlled the industry until the apartheid was lifted and became a private company in 1997.

Question 17

What is the Regional Wine Law in South Africa?

Answer 17

The WO System

Producers looking for certification must adhere to specific standards.

Wines must be submitted to a board and tasted/tested for approval.

WO seal appears on bottles of wine that receive approval.

Question 18

When was the WO system introduced to South Africa?

Answer 18

1973

Question 19

What are the WO Labeling Laws?

Answer 19

Vintage - minimum 85% of that year

Variety - minimum 85% of that variety

Appellation - 100% of grapes must come from the named geographic ‘Wine of Origin’ designation.

Question 20

What are the geographic designations (from largest to smallest) in South Africa?

Answer 20

Geographical Units
Regions
Districts
Wards
Estates

Question 21

What is an example of a Geographical Unit in South Africa?

Answer 21

Western Cape

Question 22

What is an example of a Region in South Africa?

Answer 22

Coastal Region

Question 23

What are four examples of Districts in South Africa?

Answer 23

Stellenbosch
Paarl
Walker Bay
Swartland

Question 24

What is an example of a Ward in South Africa?

Answer 24

Constantia

Question 25

What is Constantia in South Africa?

Answer 25

A ward with a rich history and sweet wines long regarded as among the best in the world.

Question 26

What are South African wards defined by?

Answer 26

Soil, climate, and geologic factors

Question 27

What are estates in South Africa?

Answer 27

Single vineyards

Question 28

What is the Benguela current and what does it do?

Answer 28

It’s a current that flows north from Antarctica and cools the coastal areas.