South Africa

Question 1

What is the name of the ocean current that cools down South Africa’s coastal areas?

From where does the current originate?

Answer 1

Benguela Current

Originates in Antarctica

Question 2

What is the “Cape Doctor”?

Answer 2

A strong, southeasterly wind that blows in the spring and summer across the Western Cape of South Africa.

Fun Fact: It’s called the “Cape Doctor” because it sweeps away all the air pollution produced by traffic and industry.

Question 3

What are the pros and cons of the Cape Doctor?

Answer 3

PROS:

1. Curbs fungal diseases
2. Moderates temperatures

CONS:

1. It’s so strong it can disrupt flowering and even damage vines

Question 4

To which century can South Africa date its history of viticulture?

Answer 4

17th century (1600s)

Question 5

South Africa became a trading station and later a settlement for which trading company?

Answer 5

Dutch East India Company

Question 6

The first vines in South Africa were planted in _____, and viticulture took off in _____ when this religious group arrived on the cape.

Answer 6

First planted: 1655

Took off: 1688

Religous group: French Huguenots

Question 7

When did South African wines start to gain traction in export markets?

Answer 7

After 1994’s democratic elections ending apartheid

Question 8

Which 2 oceans border South Africa?

Answer 8

• Indian Ocean
• Atlantic Ocean

Question 9

Although South Africa’s climate is mostly _____, it becomes very _____ as you move away from the coast.

Answer 9

Climate is mostly Maritime

Becomes very warm

Question 10

What are the soils of South Africa?

Answer 10

Diverse and very old!

• Valley floors have shale and alluvial loam
• Hillsides have sandstone and decomposed granite

Question 11

What is Chenin Blanc called in South Africa?

Answer 11

Steen

Question 12

What are the 3 main white grapes of South Africa?

Answer 12

1. Steen (Chenin Blanc)
2. Chardonnay
3. Sauvignon Blanc

Question 13

What are the parent grapes of Pinotage?

Answer 13

Pinot Noir x Cinsault

Question 14

What are the 5 main red grapes of South Africa?

Answer 14

1. Pinotage
2. Cabernet Sauvignon
3. Merlot
4. Syrah
5. Pinot Noir

Question 15

Unfortunately, South Africa’s vineyards see a lot of what kind of disease?

Answer 15

Vine viruses

Fun Fact: South Africa has a lot of vine viruses due to untested rootstock material being smuggled into the country in the 1960s.

Question 16

What is the regional wine law system used in South Africa?

Answer 16

WIne of Origin system (WO)

Question 17

In what year was the WO launched?

Answer 17

1973

Question 18

What do wine producers have to do in order to obtain the WO seal for their wine?

Answer 18

• Adhere to the WO’s specific guildelines, such as using approved grapes, meeting minimums, ensuring the grapes come from the stated areas, etc.;
• Submit their wines to the WO board to be tasted, tested, and approved.

Question 19

For WO labeling laws, if a vintage is stated on a label what minimum percent must come from that vintage?

Answer 19

85%

Question 20

For WO labeling laws, if a grape is stated on a label the wine must be a minimum of what percent of that stated grape?

Answer 20

85%

Question 21

For WO labeling laws, if an appellation is stated on a label the grapes must come from what percent of that stated appellation?

Answer 21

100%

Question 22

What was the KWV and what role did it play in South Africa’s wine industry?

Answer 22

• Established 1918
• A coöperative that rescued the South African wine industry after exports had bottomed out due to phylloxera
• The coöp itself produced (cheap) wine
• It stablized prices to start, but…
• It created a quota system which focused on quantity over quality, so everybody thought the wines were plonk
• Became a private company in 1997 after apartheid

Question 23

From largest to smallest, what are the Geographic Designations in South Africa?

Answer 23

1. Geographical Unit
2. Region
3. District
4. Ward
5. Estates

Question 24

One of the most important Geographical Units in South Africa is ______.

Answer 24

Western Cape

Question 25

The most important Region within the Western Cape is ______.

Answer 25

Coastal Region

Question 26

The 3 most important Districts within the Coastal Region are:

Answer 26

1. Stellenbosch
2. Paarl
3. Swartland

Question 27

An important District that’s outside of Coastal Region, ______ Bay, lies along the coast south of Stellenbosch.

Answer 27

Walker Bay

Question 28

One of the most important Wards of the Coastal Region, which is in the Cape Town District, is _____.

Answer 28

Constantia

Question 29

What style of wine is Constantia known for?

Answer 29

Sweet wines

Question 30

Wards are defined by soil and what else?

Answer 30

• Climate
• Geologic aspects

Question 31

What is the climate of Western Cape in South Africa?

Answer 31

Essentially Mediterranean, with warm, sunny growing seasons, although the Benguela Current flows north from Antarctica to cool the coastal areas.

Question 32

What are the most planted red and white grape varieties in Stellenbosch?

Answer 32

White: Sauvignon Blanc
Red: Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 33

Franschhoek Valley is a District within the Coastal Region.

What grapes is Franschhoek Valley known for?

Answer 33

White: Old vine Semillon
Red: Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 34

Paarl is a District within the Coastal Region.

What grapes is it known for?

Answer 34

White: Chenin Blanc
Red: Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz

Question 35

Constantia is a Ward within the Cape Town District in the Coastal Region.

What is Constantia known for?

Answer 35

Dessert wines and cool-climate white grapes like Sauvignon Blanc

Question 36

What grapes is Walker Bay known for?

Answer 36

White: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc
Red: Pinot Noir, Shiraz

Question 37

Elgin is a District within the Cape South Coast region.

What grapes is Elgin known for?

Answer 37

White: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling
Red: Pinot Noir, Merlot