South Africa Flashcards
What is the climate of South Africa?
- Hot Mediterranean
- Summers are very hot inland
- Coastal areas are cooler
Mitigating factors in Cape Coast climate?
+ Cooling influence from Southern Ocean: Benguela
Current
+ Strong summer winds (S/E): Cape Doctor
+ Mountains
Key benefits of mountains for vineyard locations in South Africa?
\+ Altitude \+ Aspect (South) \+ Range of soils \+ Shadow \+ Wind Channels
Most widely planted grape variety in South Africa
Chenin Blanc
Name 3 key White grape varieties in South Africa
Chenin Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay
Name 5 key Black grape varieties in South Africa
Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Syrah Pinot Noir Pinotage
Pinotage is a crossing of …
Pinot Noir and Cinsault
What are the main broad wine regions in South Africa?
Coastal Region
Cape South Coast
Breede River Valley
What are the key wine districts in Coastal Region?
Stellenbosch
Paarl
Swartland
Natural factors and and varieties grown in Stellenbosch
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
Natural factors and and varieties grown in Paarl
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
Natural factors and and varieties grown in Swartland
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
Name key wards and their best wine in Coastal Region
Constantia *Sauvignon Blanc (Cape Doctor, Table Mountain)
Durbanville *Sauvignon Blanc (cold see breeze)
What are the key wine districts in Cape South Coast Region?
Walker Bay (well exposed to South Ocean) *Chardonnay, *Pinot Noir
Elgin (south ocean+altitude) *Sauvignon Blanc
What are the key wine districts in Breede River Valley Region?
Worcester (high volume, Chenin Blanc for distillation)
Robertson (high volume and some *Syrah and full body *Chardonnay)
Chenin Blanc Styles in South Africa
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
Difference btw quality Chenin Blanc styles of Swartland and Vouvray (Loire Valley)
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.
Chardonnay styles in South Africa
Exceptional quality in cool sites
Burgundian techniques such as barrel fermentation and lees stirring
Character of Sauvignon Blanc in South Africa
Herbaceous
Citrus and green fruit
Early picked in warmer regions
Describe quality red wine from Argentina
Mostly Bordeaux blend style, matured at least in proportion of new oak
Describe Pinotage wines in SA
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”
Syrah styles in South Africa
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
