South Africa Flashcards
What is the KWV?
The Cooperative Winewakers Union of South Africa
Which Europeans first settled into South Africa?
The Dutch in 1652
Who is commander Jan van Riebeeck?
The Dutch commander that oversaw the first grape crush in South Africa in 1659
Commander Simon van der Stel is most associated with which famous South African wine?
Constantia
What a varietal is Steen?
Chenin Blanc
When was phylloxera first discovered in South Africa?
1886 - Resulting in over a quarter of South Africa’s vineyards being destroyed and widespread replanting delayed due to rootstock shortages
What was the Boer war and when did it take place?
The Boer War was between the Dutch and the British-held South African colonies. It took place from 1899 to 1902.
The result was a unification of the various South African colonies into one nation; the other was an economic depression
Why were cooperatives established in South Africa in the early 1900’s?
The government initially established cooperatives (9 in the beginning) because cooperatives streamline production, centralize resources and provide stable income for farmers.
When did apartheid start?
1948
What was the effect of the KWV on the South African wine industry.
It stunted the industry and encouraged high yields and high yielding varietals grown in warmer regions, quality drastically declined.
What was the effect of the KWV on the South African wine industry.
Established in 1918 the KWV cooperative which acted as an oversight between growers and co-ops but really ended up as a strong regulatory body. It stunted the industry and encouraged high yields and high yielding varietals grown in warmer regions, quality drastically declined and much of the grape yield was designated for brandy production
When was the KWV’s quota system eliminated?
1992
Which Atlantic current is incredibly influential to the South African wine growing regions?
The frigid Benguela current, that moves up from the Antarctic
Which wind effects the South Africa wine region?
The Cape Doctor wind blows from the the southeast. At its most intense it can damage vines by breaking canes and interfering with fruits set. But, generally, it helps stave off disease and pests in the vineyards
What type of climate does South Africa have?
A mediterranean climate
What’s a major climate threat to South Africa’s vines?
Drought
What are the primary soil types in South Africa?
Primarily Granite and sandstone.
South African soils are relatively simple - there hasn’t been major ice, volcanic or earthquake activities. Most of the mountains are made of granite capped sandstone, and these bedrocks have decomposed to form the basis of South African soils. Quartz is scattered throughout and there are pockets of slate and shale in some areas.
In South Africa, what varietal does Hermitage refer to?
Cinsault (Cinsaut - South Africa spelling)
Which is the most prominent red varietal in South Africa?
Pinotage
What is the OVP and when was it established?
The OVP (Old Vine Project) was established is 2002 by Rosa Kruger who began compiling a list of old vineyards and educating on the benefits of old vines in the hopes to protect the vines and demand higher prices for growers (so they don’t get ripped out)
In South Africa wine, what does MCC refer to?
Method Cape Classique - traditional method sparkling wine
Who first began method cape classique production in South Africa?
Simonsig
What varietals are permitted in Cap Classique?
All varietals
Many top producers (Graham Beck, Le Lude, Charles Fox) rely on classic Champagne varieties - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier (and go beyond the 9 month lees aging requirement)
What are the minimum aging requirements for Cap Classique?
9 months on lees
What is Lieberstein?
A semi-sweet Chenin-based wine that debuted in South Africa in 1959
Which varietals were used for brandy production in the past in South Africa?
Chenin Blanc
Colombard
Constantia is produced from which varietal?
Muscat (Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains) which is called Muscadel in South Africa. South Africa’s Muscadel is NOT to be confused with the Bordelais Muscadelle.
What varietal is Hanepoot?
Muscat of Alexandria
In which style is Muscat of Alexandria (Hanepoot) produced in South Africa?
Sweet wine and can be fortified but left unfermented.
What is the overall hectares planted to vine in South Africa?
93,000 ha under vine
15th most widely planted nation in the world
825 million liters of wine produced - South Africa ranks 9th in global production
When was the first varietal Sauvignon Blanc bottled? (The grape was planted in South Africa since before 1909)
Sauvignon Blanc was varietally bottled in 1977 and the first Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon blend didn’t appear until 2001
Which is the most rapidly expanding varietal in South Africa?
Sauvignon Blanc
As of 2018 it accounts for over 10% of all planted area.
What are the general characteristics of South African Sauvignon Blanc?
South African Sauvignon Blanc tends towards the greener and grassy side of the spectrum and is rarely tropical.
In Constantia it is often blended with Semillon and occasionally aged in oak. It is also the most planted grape in Constantia
Which is the most widely planted grape in Constantia?
Sauvignon Blanc
For much of the 18th and 19th centuries, which was the most widely planted grape in South Africa?
Semillon
What varietal does Greengrape refer to in South Africa?
Semillon
What is the name of the red mutation of Semillon?
Semillon Gris.
This used to exist in France as well, though no longer does, and French producers try to get their hands on cuttings.
The best known Cabernet Sauvingon’s hail from which regions of South Africa?
Paarl, Franschhoek, and Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch is especially successful with the variety and is similar to a “south African Napa Valley” with posh tasting rooms and Cab Sauvignon as the crown jewel of their portfolios.