South Africa Flashcards
Learn South Africa's wine history, WO system, wine laws, climate, topography, and major grapes.
What is the name of the ocean current that cools down South Africa’s coastal areas?
From where does the current originate?
Benguela Current
Originates in Antarctica
What is the “Cape Doctor”?
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.
What are the pros and cons of the Cape Doctor?
PROS:
- Curbs fungal diseases
- Moderates temperatures
CONS:
- It’s so strong it can disrupt flowering and even damage vines
To which century can South Africa date its history of viticulture?
17th century (1600s)
South Africa became a trading station and later a settlement for which trading company?
Dutch East India Company
The first vines in South Africa were planted in _____, and viticulture took off in _____ when this religious group arrived on the cape.
First planted: 1655
Took off: 1688
Religous group: French Huguenots
When did South African wines start to gain traction in export markets?
After 1994’s democratic elections ending apartheid
Which 2 oceans border South Africa?
- Indian Ocean
- Atlantic Ocean
Although South Africa’s climate is mostly _____, it becomes very _____ as you move away from the coast.
Climate is mostly Maritime
Becomes very warm
What are the soils of South Africa?
Diverse and very old!
- Valley floors have shale and alluvial loam
- Hillsides have sandstone and decomposed granite
What is Chenin Blanc called in South Africa?
Steen
What are the 3 main white grapes of South Africa?
- Steen (Chenin Blanc)
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
What are the parent grapes of Pinotage?
Pinot Noir x Cinsault
What are the 5 main red grapes of South Africa?
- Pinotage
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Syrah
- Pinot Noir
Unfortunately, South Africa’s vineyards see a lot of what kind of disease?
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.
What is the regional wine law system used in South Africa?
WIne of Origin system (WO)
In what year was the WO launched?
1973
What do wine producers have to do in order to obtain the WO seal for their wine?
- 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.
For WO labeling laws, if a vintage is stated on a label what minimum percent must come from that vintage?
85%
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?
85%
For WO labeling laws, if an appellation is stated on a label the grapes must come from what percent of that stated appellation?
100%
What was the KWV and what role did it play in South Africa’s wine industry?
- 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
From largest to smallest, what are the Geographic Designations in South Africa?
- Geographical Unit
- Region
- District
- Ward
- Estates
One of the most important Geographical Units in South Africa is ______.
Western Cape
