South Africa Diploma WSET Flashcards
Wine Laws in South Africa
- Wine of Origin (WO) started in 1973
- Certification seal awarded after tasting and guarantees label accuracy.
- 75% of vintage on label must come from that vintage.
- If a single variety is stated is must comprise 85%.
- 100% of grapes must come from any stated production area.
- Hierarchy in size of production area from less to big sizes of production area.
- Unit for the production are Estate wine ( individual wineries, bottling source, all the grapes from there)
- Wards ( such as Franschhoek)
- District ( Paarl and Stellenbosh)
- Regions - The largest size is a Geographical Unit that it is a catch-all appellation Western Cape that cover all the vineyards on the cape and allows blended wine of single varietals from multiple regional and district to be sold in the EU.
- No all district are part of a region, not all wards are part of a district and even some estates are not part of a ward, leading to untidy production boundaries
- The WO allows top producers release Estate Wines but at the same time release other WO wines under their brand name.
Trade system in South Africa
There are 3 main types of producers:
Cooperative: Produce and market own wine or sell wine in bulk to merchants.
Estates Wineries Many with high reputations making wine from grapes grown on their own land only.
Wholesale Merchants Buy in grapes and bulk wine to sell under their own label, some will also have their own vineyards. Also act as distributor for many estates.
Coastal Region in South Africa
Heartland of the fine wine production.
Covers the Districts of Swartland, Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, Cape Point, Paarl and Darling.
Tygerbert District in Coastal Region in South Africa
Rolling hill 10 km from Cape Town
Growing reputation for quality wine.
As with Constantia, Tygerberg is influenced by the sea breezes producing ideal Sauvignon Blanc growing conditions resulting in wines with the full spectrum of aromatic varietal characteristics.
Durbanville is an outstanding ward within Tygerberg.
Stellenbosch District
At the heart of quality wine production.
Warm, mediterranean climate with granite and sandstone soils.
Famous for Bordeaux Blend and Pinotage
The climate here is ideal, with sufficient rainfall in the winter and summers that are rarely too hot, thanks to the cool winds from False Bay that are funnelled by the mountains into the valleys.
The success of Stellenbosch lie in the variety of altitude and soil.
The cooler sites can produce high quality Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
Paarl District in Coastal Region in South Africa
Lies to the north of Stellenbosch District.
Warmer, less maritime-influenced climate. Summer cand be hot with cooler night time temperatures.
Soils vary greatly from sand to decomposed granite, large range of varieties grown accordingly.
KVW ( the most important cooperative) are based here.
2 important Paarls Wards are: Franschhoek and Wellington.
Tulbagh District in Coastal Region in South Africa
Small hot climate district surrounded by mountains.
Varied Climates due to the different topography of vineyards.
Low ph gratine soils on slopes
deep sand and stone on clay on the riverbanks
Showing promise with Shiraz.
Good for sparkling wines.
Constantia Ward in Coastal Region in South Africa
Constantia Ward is not part of any district.
The oldest vineyard in Cape Town, surrounded by easter flanks of Table Mountain .
Influenced by the sea, cooled by Cape Doctor, producing ideal Sauvignon Blanc growing conditions resulting in wines with the full spectrum of aromatic varietal characteristics. Also Semillon, and some shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon are planted in warmer sites.
Breede River Valley Region
Hot climate, inland, over the Bains Kloof Pass Mountains.
Worcester and Robertson are the main district.
Modern canopy management has enabled production of pungent Sauvignon Blanc and crisp Chardonnay and sparkling wines.
Worcester District: located of western Breede River Valley. Climate is warm and dry with irrigation largely drawn from the river is essential.
Produce a quarter of South Africa annual production made from Chenin Blanc and Colombard. Used for distilled.
The Robertson District: situated to the east of Worcester. Slightly cooler.
Large volume wines are made here.
Trade system in South Africa
There are 3 main types of producers:
Cooperative: Produce and market own wine or sell wine in bulk to merchants.
Estates Wineries Many with high reputations making wine from grapes grown on their own land only.
Wholesale Merchants Buy in grapes and bulk wine to sell under their own label, some will also have their own vineyards. Also act as distributor for many estates.
Climate in South Africa growing Environment
Mediterranean climate.
Vines planted from low altitude, cool coastal regions though to warmer inland regions such as Stellenbosch.
The cold Benguela current cools temperatures far inland. It is coming from the Antarctic cooling the west coast.
This cooling effect is magnified by the regular strong south easterly summer winds, know as Cape Doctor.
These bring air cooled by the ocean further inland.
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Low rainfall makes irrigation necessary in most sites.
Soil in South Africa regions
Hilltops: well drained deep granite and shale soil
Slopes: Shallow to medium soils of sand covering a layer of heavy clay.
Valleys: Medium to deep soils of alluvial and sandstone.
Other new regions in South Africa
Walker bay,
Elgin Ward
Elim Ward
The future of South African wines
Changes from 1990 white grapes plantings to 2009 more red wines.
This dramatic swing to 50% less, to move to black varieties, reflects the urgency with which the industry needed to realign its plantings to focus less on bulk grape for distillation in order to compete more effectively on wine export markets.
Trade system in South Africa
There are 3 main types of producers:
Cooperative: Produce and market own wine or sell wine in bulk to merchants.
Estates Wineries Many with high reputations making wine from grapes grown on their own land only.
Wholesale Merchants Buy in grapes and bulk wine to sell under their own label, some will also have their own vineyards. Also act as distributor for many estates.
Chenin Blanc ( Steen) in South Africa
White grape.
Locally knows as Steen.
Has been the biggest loser in the replanting
It remains the most widely planted variety of either colour.
It is versalite, both great sweet and dry styles produces.
Body and toasty characters added through barrel fermentation and barrel ageing.
Also used for sweet wines, from late harvested or botrytised grapes.
Growers are now making better optimization like in Loire Valley.
Chardonnay in South Africa
Great quality potential in cool sites.
Burgundian techniques Barrel fermentation and lees stirring add complexity and contribution to premium samples.
Sauvignon Blanc in South Africa
Styles range from light, crisp and herbaceous through to barrel aged with a fuller body and nutty, vegetal flavours.
Muscat of Alexandría (Hanepoot)
Widely used for dessert wines
Vin de Constantia is made from Muscat blanc a petit grain .
Cabernet Sauvignon in South Africa
It is the most widely planted black variety
Used as a monovarietal and blend with Merlot as Bordeaux blend.
Merlot in South Africa
where there are iron-rich soils, produce very dark, rich plummy wines like Pomerol.
Syrah in South Africa
2 styles:
Rich dark berry and full bodied
Elegant and peppery.
Pinotage in South Africa
Pinot Noir x Cinsault. Blended with international reds to produce a Cape Blend.
It is the national grape variety.
Sometimes it is blend with international varieties.
2 styles as well:
-like Beaujolais with red berry fruit character.
- As a single varietal produced from old bush trained vines produce wines full body rich, spiced berry fruit. Some shows hints of meat, rubber, banana or nail varnish. They can made the wine attractively complex when they do not dominate.
Flavour and structure still being explored.
What is the climate of the Worcester district?
What styles of wine does it produce?
- Lies at the western end of the Breede River Valley
- Hot/dry climate that requires irrigation
- reliable source of high-volume red/white wines, but mostly wines made from Chenin Blanc and Colombard.
- Much of the wine is used for distillation.
What 1 black and 1 white grape is Swartland ( north of Cape Town) most renowned for?
Before inexpensive wines.
Today, Old Vine Chenin Blanc
High quality Syrah
What is the “Cape Doctor” and what are its effects on grape-growing (both positive and negative)?
A notoriously strong southeasterly wind that blows across the Western Cape throughout the spring and summer.
Inhibits fungal disease and moderates temperature.
Ferociously batters the vines.
Which wine is regarded as the top 100% Shiraz produced in South Africa?
Which region does it come from?
De Toren’s “The Black Lion”
Swartland and Stellenbosch
What grape is Durbanville District renowned for?
Sauvignon Blanc
In which Ward / District / Region would you be likely to find the best Pinot Noir in South Africa?
Hemel-en-Aarde Ward, Walker Bay District, Cape South Coast Region
What is the coolest wine-growing district in South Africa?
What 3 factors provide cooling for this district?
Elgin
Proximity to the Atlantic
Prevailing wind directions
Altitude
What are the rules for ‘Estate Wines’ in South Africa?
Grapes must come from estate vineyards in one GI. Estate must process from grape to wine incl bottling
Constantia is a ward within which District / Region / Geographical Unit?
Cape Town / Coastal Region / Western Cape
What are the 6 Regions that make up Western Cape GI?
Coastal Region Breede River Valley Cape South Coast Klein Karoo Olifants River Boberg
What is ‘Dry Farming’, what outcome does it provide and which South African District often uses it?
Vine growing without irrigation
Reduced yields = more concentrated fruit flavours Swartland
What is Stellenbosch District most renowned for?
2 specific examples of this wine:
Top class red wines Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends with Merlot (Cape Blends), Syrah.
Warwick Estate’s “Trilogy”
Meerlust’s “Rubicon”
What are 3 key Districts and 2 Wards in the Coastal Region in South Africa?
Stellenbosch District / Paarl District / Swartland District
Durbanville Ward / Constantia Ward
Constantia is constantly cooled by:
The Cape Doctor
What current cools South Africa?
The Benguela Current, in the Southern Ocean, from Antarctica
What are some pros and cons of strong winds from the Cape Doctor?
PROS: -suppresses fungal disease -moderates temperature.
CONS: -can injure vines and disturb flowering
Which South African District is Hamilton Russell a producer in?
What is this winery known for?
Walker Bay District.
A pioneer in the district, Hamilton Russell was an early proponent of the Burgundy grapes as well as South Africa’s own Pinotage.
What are the 6 Districts that make up Cape South Coast Region in South Africa?
Districts: Walker Bay / Elgin / Cape Agulhas / Overberg / Plettenberg Bay / Swellendam
What are the different style of Pinotage made in S. Africa?
- Sometimes blended with int’l varieties to make a “Cape Blend”
- Can be made in a light, fruity style with red berry flavors.
- Wines from old bush vines may be very full-bodied, with rich, spiced berry fruit.
- When fermented with oak, Pinotage takes on intense coffee or chocolate aromas.
What is the climate of Stellenbosch?
What, if anything, provides cooling?
What are the top 2 grapes planted?
Moderate to warm depending on location, comparable to (but warmer than) Bordeaux.
Cool winds from False Bay funnel winds through mountains into valleys
Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc
What is ‘Dry Farming’, what outcome does it provide and which South African District often uses it?
Vine growing without irrigation
Reduced yields = more concentrated fruit flavours Swartland
What 2 styles of wine are Robertson well known for?
Which varietal is emerging in popularity?
Cap Classique production as well as red wine production.
Here, Shiraz is emerging as one of the district’s finest varietal wines.
Which region surrounds South Africa’s Cape Town?
Coastal Region
What do the terms “Single Vineyard” and “Estate Wine” stipulate on a South African wine label?
Single Vineyard Wine may be used for wines sourced solely from the vineyard, provided it is appropriately registered and of less than 6 hectares.
Estate wines must be produced from contiguous parcels of vineyard land, and vinified and bottled on a single property.
What are the 3 Districts that make up Breede River Valley Region?
Breedekloof, Worcester, and Robertson
For the following South African producers, identify the specific area in which they are located, and the type of wine they specialize in:
A. Boekenhoutskloof
B. Meerlust
C. Groot Constantia
D. Hamilton Russell
A. Boekenhoutskloof: Franschhoek Valley (Coastal Region), specializes in Syrah
B. Meerlust: Stellenbosch (Coastal Region), specializes in Bordeaux blends.
C. Groot Constantia: Constantia (Cape Town, Coastal Region), specializes in Vin de Constance (in addition to dry whites/reds)
D. Hamilton Russell: Hemel-en-Aarde Valley (Walker Bay, Cape South Coast Region), specializes in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
“Trilogy” is a famous Bordeaux blend produced by ______________ Wine Estate.
Which district / GU is it located in?
What grapes are used?
Warwick
Stellenbosch / Coastal Region
Mostly Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon with a small amount of Merlot.
Most of South Africa’s wine regions are located within which Geographical Unit?
Western Cape
Name 2 important Wards and their corresponding Disctricts in the Cape South Coast region?
Elim Ward (Elgin District)
Hemel-en-Aarde (Walker Bay)
What is SAWIT?
What is its mission?
South African Wine Industry Trust
It was established to speed transformation of South African wine and to empower black workers in an industry that had long relied on slave- and apartheid-era labor practices.
