South Africa Flashcards
Where are most of South Africa’s vineyards found? Why?
Around the coast of the Cape to take advantage of the cooling influence of the Southern Ocean
What is the name of the cool, Southern Ocean current that helps cool the south and west coasts of South Africa?
Benguela
Other than the Benguela, what helps moderate South Africa’s otherwise hot climate?
the Cape Doctor, cool south-easterly summer winds
What is a defining feature of the South African landscape that allows for a wide range of aspects, soils and altitudes? (and thus micro-climates)
Mountain ranges
Other than at altitude or near the ocean, where might vineyards be planted to benefit from cooler temperatures?
South-facing slopes
What can Mountains nearer the coast aid with in terms of cooling, aside from altitude and south-facing aspects?
Channelling oceanic winds
Will shade from nearby mountains give slightly cooler temperatures? When?
Yes
Different points in the day
What is Pinotage a cross of?
Pinot Noir and Cinsault
Aside from Pinotage, what four black varieties are widely planted?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Syrah
Pinot Noir
What grapes is Cabernet Sauvignon sometimes blended with in South Africa?
Merlot and Cabernet Franc
Where is Pinot Noir almost exclusively found?
Coolest coastal areas
Where was Pinotage developed?
South Africa
What is a blend of Pinotage and international varieties often called?
Cape Blend
What aromas might develop when Pinotage is exposed to heavily toasted oak staves?
Coffee or chocolate
What fruit might a light, fruity style of Pinotage exhibit?
Red berry fruit
What flavour characters might be seen in a full-bodied Pinotage from old bush vines?
Spiced berry fruit
Why might Pinotage be popular with some consumers?
Point of difference/marketing
What three white grapes are most prominent in South Africa?
Chenin Blanc
Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Which is the most planted grape (either colour) in South Africa?
Chenin Blanc
Old bush vine Chenin is increasingly being made in a complex and full-textured style. What might add toasty flavours to these wines?
Oak
What widely planted grape is used in the production of brandy?
Colombard
When must Sauvignon Blanc be picked in hotter regions of South Africa? Why?
Early
To preserve citrus and green apple aromas and high acidity
What is a common flavour across almost all South African Sauvignon Blanc?
Herbaceousness
In what style might some premium Chardonnays be made?
Burgundian style (lees, MLF, oak)
What indicates a South African GI wine?
Wine of Origin (W.O.)
What can blends made from parcels from various regions within the Western Cape labelled themselves as? Would a premium wine be labelled like this?
Western Cape
Some premium wines are made this way
What are three major regions of the Western Cape? What are these regions split into, then into again?
Coastal Region, Breede River Valley and Cape South Coast
Districts then again into Wards
What are the 3 bolded districts and 2 bolded wards of the Coastal region?
Stellenbosch, Paarl and Swartland
Constantia and Durbanville
Which district has long been the hub of fine wine production in South Africa?
Stellenbosch
What is the climate in Stellenbosch?
Warm to moderate
What cools Stellenbosch? Is it ever too hot here?
Winds (from false bay)
Rarely too hot
Diversity in …, … and … is a defining feature of Stellenbosch
Altitude, aspect and soil type
Red wines have become more reputable in recent years in Stellenbosch, in particular? (4)
Cab Sauv and Merlot (often blended)
Syrah
Cape Blends
What high quality white wines are made in Stellenbosch’s cooler sites? (2)
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay
Which district, also from the coastal region borders Stellenbosch on it’s most inland edge? What are daylight and nightime temperatures like here in comparison? Why?
Paarl
Hotter during the day as it’s less exposed to cool sea breezes but cooler at night as it’s more continental
Varying terrain in Paarl is a plus. What red grapes are most significant here? (3)
Cab Sauv, Syrah and Pinotage
While a wide variety of grapes are grown here, what white grapes are most planted in Paarl? (2)
Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc
Which ward that lies on the eastern flanks of Table Mountain, is home to some of the oldest vineyards in the Western Cape?
Constantia
What has the main moderating effect on Constantia?
The Cape Doctor (South- Easterly summer winds)
What grape is most reputable in Constantia?
Sauvignon Blanc
What is the name of the sweet wine still produced by one estate in Constantia made from late-harvest Muscat?
Vin de Constance
What white grape, other than SB, might you find in Constantia, particularly to the south of Table Mountain?
Semillon
What two black grapes are planted in the warmer site of Constantia?
Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon
Which district has shifted from a source of inexpensive grapes to a centre of innovation and premium wine production?
Swartland
Old vine … is what Swartland is particularly recognised for along with high quality …?
Chenin Blanc
Syrah
What agricultural practice is used in Swartland to lower yields and enhance fruit concentration?
Dry Farming
What grapes, other than Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc might be used to make a white ‘Cape Blend’?
Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenach Blanc and Viognier
Rhone whites
A number of premium blends also come out of Swartland, what are they called?
Cape Blends
The Darling and Tygerberg districts in the Coastal region are cooled by sea breezes and are known for the production of which grape?
What is the significant ward in Tygerberg?
Sauvignon Blanc
Durbanville
What is the significant grape in the Durbanville ward?
Sauvignon Blanc
What are the two districts in the Breede River Valley?
Worcester
Robertson
Which district lies at the western end of the Breede River Valley and is hot and dry? What is essential here?
Worcester
Irrigation (largely pumped from the river)
Worcester is a reliable source for high-volume, quality made, branded red and white wine, however, the majority of grapes grown are white, what are they? (2)
Chenin Blanc and Colombard
What is Colombard generally used for the production of?
Brandy
Which district sits to the East of Worcester and is also part of the Breede River Valley region? How and why does the climate differ?
Robertson
Cooler, as south-easterly winds are drawn into the valley by mountains
As a result of the cool breezes and …, what two grapes can produce some excellent wines in Robertson?
Notable outcrops of less fertile soils
Syrah
Chardonnay (full-bodied)
Coastal region, Breed River Valley region and …… region?
Cape South Coast
What are the two most established districts in the Cape South Coast region?
Walker Bay
Elgin
Which group of wards in the Walker Bay district is home to some of South Africas best Chardonnays and Pinot Noir? Why is it cool enough here?
Hemel-en-Aarde
Proximity to the ocean
What is an added moderating effect, other than coastal proximity, that cools Elgin? What grape has a particular reputation here?
Altitude
Sauvignon Blanc
What ward in the Cape South Coast region, outside the Elgin district is known for quality Sauvignon Blanc and is showing promise with Syrah production?
Elim
