South Africa

Question 1

Name the 2 main production methods

Answer 1

Traditional Method and Carbonated Sparkling Wine

Question 2

What is Traditional Method called in South Africa?

Answer 2

Methode Cap Classique (MCC)

Question 3

What else can Methode Cap Classique refer to?

Answer 3

An Producers Association of the same name.

Question 4

When was the Methode Cap Classique Producers Association founded?

Answer 4

1992

Question 5

How much (in percentage) of the Traditional Method production is the association responsible of?

Answer 5

90%

Question 6

What are the rules of MCC?

Answer 6

Wine must be made from the Traditional Method
*
Min. 3 bars of pressure
*
Min. 9 months of lees ageing (Will be 12 months from 2020)

Question 7

Name the main-regions for production of sparkling wine

Answer 7

Breede River Valley
(Robertson & Bonnievale)
	* 
Stellenbosch
	* 
Paarl
	* 
Darling
	* 
Tulbagh

Question 8

How does the soil of Robertson and Bonnievale differentiate from the rest?

Answer 8

The soil is made up of Limestone, whereas the rest has Shale, Clay and decomposed Granite.

Question 9

How does the climate of Robertson and Bonnievale differentiate from the rest?

Answer 9

Cooler mornings; Narrow valley, slowly warmed up due to shadow from mountains
*
Cooler afternoons; Cool breezes from the ocean at Cape Agulhas that run up the Breede River.
*
Largest Diurnal range

Question 10

When are grapes for Cap Classique generally harvested?

Answer 10

To get a long ripening-season, growers try to harvest 90 days after flowering. This takes proper handling of the vineyard, with proper vigor to shade the grapes.

Question 11

What is the potential alcohol sought?

Answer 11

9,5-11% - In this way the final wine will be around 12%

Question 12

What type of Rosé’ is allowed in regard of production?

Answer 12

Assemblage and Saigneé

Question 13

What are the maingrapes in the production of Carbonated Sparkling Wine?

Answer 13

Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat, Pinotage

Question 14

What is the general quality and style of Carbonated Sparkling Wine?

Answer 14

Often sweet, and quality is Acceptable to good

Question 15

What are the maingrapes in the production of MCC?

Answer 15

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Meunier, Chenin Blanc and Pinotage (more varieties are allowed, but these make up for 95% of the production)

Question 16

What is the general price and quality of MCC?

Answer 16

Mid to Premium priced and Good to Very Good quality.

Question 17

The Cap Classique Producers Association has two current projects in regard of winelaw, briefly describe them.

Answer 17

1.
All grapes must be approved through the process of the Wine of Origin. Min. Lees ageing of 12 months. All producers of Methode Cap Classique must be member of the Association.
		2. 
 "New Categories"
			* 
Standard category (Based on existing rules)
			* 
High quality category:

Grapes allowed: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Meunier, Chenin Blanc, Pinotage.

Whole Bunch Pressing enforced

Min. lees ageing of 36 months

Question 18

How much sparkling wine was exported in 2017?

Answer 18

4 million liters (twice as much as in a decade earlier)

Question 19

What are the top-export-markets?

Answer 19

Angola (1/4 of all export), Mozambique, USA, UK