South Africa

Question 1

What is the climate of South Africa?

Answer 1

• Hot Mediterranean
• Summers are very hot inland
• Coastal areas are cooler

Question 2

Mitigating factors in Cape Coast climate?

Answer 2

+ Cooling influence from Southern Ocean: Benguela
Current
+ Strong summer winds (S/E): Cape Doctor
+ Mountains

Question 3

Key benefits of mountains for vineyard locations in South Africa?

Answer 3

\+ Altitude
\+ Aspect (South)
\+ Range of soils
\+ Shadow 
\+ Wind Channels

Question 4

Most widely planted grape variety in South Africa

Answer 4

Chenin Blanc

Question 5

Name 3 key White grape varieties in South Africa

Answer 5

Chenin Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay

Question 6

Name 5 key Black grape varieties in South Africa

Answer 6

Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Syrah
Pinot Noir
Pinotage

Question 7

Pinotage is a crossing of …

Answer 7

Pinot Noir and Cinsault

Question 8

What are the main broad wine regions in South Africa?

Answer 8

Coastal Region
Cape South Coast
Breede River Valley

Question 9

What are the key wine districts in Coastal Region?

Answer 9

Stellenbosch
Paarl
Swartland

Question 10

Natural factors and and varieties grown in Stellenbosch

Answer 10

Moderate - Warm Climate
Sufficient rain
Summers not too hot
Cool winds from False bay funneled by the mountains
Variety of altitude, aspect, soil

Top class Bordeaux blends of Cab Sauv & Merlot
Syrah
Cape Blend

Question 11

Natural factors and and varieties grown in Paarl

Answer 11

Inland, hotter than Stellenbosch but cool nights, altitude, aspect, soil help growing of a wide range of grapes
Cab Sauv, Syrah, Pinotage
Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay

Question 12

Natural factors and and varieties grown in Swartland

Answer 12

Old Vine is the big thning. Low yielding dry farmed Chenin Blanc and Syrah
Premium Cape blends, red and white
Near the coast premium Sauvignon Blancs

Question 13

Name key wards and their best wine in Coastal Region

Answer 13

Constantia *Sauvignon Blanc (Cape Doctor, Table Mountain)

Durbanville *Sauvignon Blanc (cold see breeze)

Question 14

What are the key wine districts in Cape South Coast Region?

Answer 14

Walker Bay (well exposed to South Ocean) *Chardonnay, *Pinot Noir

Elgin (south ocean+altitude) *Sauvignon Blanc

Question 15

What are the key wine districts in Breede River Valley Region?

Answer 15

Worcester (high volume, Chenin Blanc for distillation)

Robertson (high volume and some *Syrah and full body *Chardonnay)

Question 16

Chenin Blanc Styles in South Africa

Answer 16

Very versatile
Dry and sweet styles
Basic level easy drinking with simple stone fruit aromas
Old bush vines produce concentrated and complex flavour with fuller texture
Toasty oak flavours, additional body from barrel fermentation& barrel ageing
High quality blends with Rhone varieties such as Marsanne, Rousanne, Grenache Blanc and Vigonier

Question 17

Difference btw quality Chenin Blanc styles of Swartland and Vouvray (Loire Valley)

Answer 17

Swartland: Concentrared fruit aromas, stone fruit notes from dry farmed, low yield old vines. Fuller texture, more body and toasty oak aromas from barrel fermentation and barrel ageing.

Vouvray: Fresh fruity and floral notes, apple, citrus notes, light-med body, hiher in acidity. No barrels.

Question 18

Chardonnay styles in South Africa

Answer 18

Exceptional quality in cool sites

Burgundian techniques such as barrel fermentation and lees stirring

Question 19

Character of Sauvignon Blanc in South Africa

Answer 19

Herbaceous
Citrus and green fruit
Early picked in warmer regions

Question 20

Describe quality red wine from Argentina

Answer 20

Mostly Bordeaux blend style, matured at least in proportion of new oak

Question 21

Describe Pinotage wines in SA

Answer 21

Range of styles from light and fruity with red berry flavours to full bodied style with rich, spiced berry fruit from old bush vines.
Shows intense coffee and chocolate aromas when fermented/stored in heavily toasted oak staves
Sometimes blended with intl varieties to make “Cape Blend”

Question 22

Syrah styles in South Africa

Answer 22

Rich, full-boided, high alcohol wines with ripe black fruit aromas and sometimes with a meaty or earthy character.
Cooler sited produce peppery and less bodied examples