South Africa Flashcards
What are South Africa’s two primary categories of sparkling wine?
Inexpensive carbonated sparkling wines that are often sweet
Traditional method wines referred to as Cap Classique
What is the primary market for South Africa’s carbonated wines?
The domestic market, as well as sub-Saharan territories that especially include Angola, Mozambique, and Nigeria
What are the quality and pricing of South Africa’s carbonated wines?
Acceptable to good quality with inexpensive pricing
True or False
The market for Cap Classique is in decline
False. Cap Classique is rapidly growing
What is the character of South African traditional method wines?
Medium (+) acid
Medium alcohol
Ripe yellow apple, citrus fruit, and varying levels of autolysis
What are the quality and pricing of South African traditional method wines?
Good to very good quality with mid- to premium pricing
Which varieties typically comprise South Africa’s carbonated wines?
Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat, and Pinotage
What is the character of South African carbonated wines?
Typically simple and fruity, ranging from off-dry to sweet
What effect has the production of Cap Classique had on the production of carbonated wines in South Africa?
Carbonated wine production decreased by 15% between 2011 and 2016
What is Méthode Cap Classique?
The name of a production method for South African traditional method wines. It is also referred to as Cap Classique and MCC.
When was the Cap Classique Producer’s Association founded? How much wine is it responsible for producing? What style of wine does it produce?
MCC was founded in 1992. It is currently responsible for 90% of South Africa’s traditional method wines.
What are the legal requirements for Cap Classique?
Traditional method
3 bars of pressure post-disgorgement
Minimum 9 months of lees aging until the 2020 vintage, 12 months of lees aging starting in 2020
What grapes are permitted in the production of Cap Classique?
Any grape may be used, though Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Chenin Blanc, and Pinotage comprise 95% of varieties used
Where is the fruit for Cap Classique primarily sourced from?
Robertson, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Darling, and Tulbagh
Which South African regions have significant presence of limestone soils? How are these soils viewed by producers of sparkling wines?
Robertson and Bonnievale (in the Breede River Valley)
Producers generally hold that limestone soils produce superior grapes
What are the advantages of the climate in Robertson and Bonnievale regarding the production of South African sparkling wine?
They have limestone soils
They are both in narrow valleys, allowing them to warm slower in the mornings
Temperatures drop in the afternoons due to cool breezes from Cape Agulhas running up the Breede River
Both regions have the largest diurnal shift in the country
What type of soil are the majority of South Africa’s grapevines grown on?
Shale, clay, and decomposed granite
Do South African sparkling wine producers source from multiple regions? Why or why not?
Yes, partly to impart complexity but also because of fruit availability.
How long after flowering do Cap Classique producers generally wait until picking?
Approximately 90 days
What viticultural techniques are used to ensure the grapes ripen appropriately in South Africa?
Keeping leaf growth on the vine to provide additional shading
At what potential alcohol are grapes in South Africa harvested for Cap Classique? What is the target alcohol in the final product?
9.5-11%
12% final alcohol
How do producers in South Africa make carbonated wines?
Fermentation is stopped at the desired level of sweetness before carbon is injected into the wine. They are then released for early sale to maintain fruit flavors.
How do quality-minded growers pick, press, and ferment grapes destined for Cap Classique?
Hand picking with whole bunch pressing. Better producers will separate press fractions to use in blending
True or False
It is a legal requirement that Cap Classique producers pick by hand and press whole bunches.
False, though it is recommended by the MCC organization
What might be used to add textural richness to Cap Classique wines?
Old barrels, in which a portion of the juice would be fermented
Do Cap Classique wines see malolactic fermentation?
It is at the discretion of the producer
What percentage of reserve wines are used in Cap Classique? Which types of producers implement a reserve?
Premium houses may use around 10% of reserve wines in their cuvées
How are rosé Cap Classique wines produced?
Blending white and red wine prior to secondary fermentation
Adding red wine to a white wine blend prior to secondary fermentation
Short maceration prior to initial fermentation (a minority option)
What projects are the Cap Classique Producer’s Association working on?
A certification program for growers of Cap Classique grapes (Wine of Origin approval process)
A higher quality of Cap Classique made from Champagne varieties, Chenin Blanc, and Pinotage with whole pressed grapes and 36 months of lees aging
What is the fastest growing wine category in South Africa? What has its growth rate been?
Cap Classique, the sales of which has doubled roughly every 5 years
True or False
A majority of Cap Classique producers have found success in the export market.
False. Some have, though
Of the better quality carbonated wines recently produced in South Africa, which variety is typically used?
Sauvignon Blanc
What are the challenges in making Cap Classique attractive to domestic South African consumers?
Converting those who drink top-quality Champagne and attracting middle-class drinkers who are shifting from beer to wine.
How much sparkling wine did South Africa export in 2017? Describe the trend.
South Africa exported 4 million liters of sparkling wine in 2017, double that of 2007 but lower than the 2012 peak. Exchange rates and fluctuations have affected export totals.
What are the top markets for South African sparkling wines?
Angola (25% of exports)
Mozambique
USA
UK
How is the Cap Classique Producer’s Association funded? How does it promote its wines?
It is funded by a levy based on volume of production. It holds public tastings, base wine tastings, and a biennial technical conference.
