South Africa: The Growing Environment and Grape Growing Flashcards
South Africa: Climate
32-35 latitude comparabel to Israel and California
-Warm Mediterranean Climate
Rainfall is 700mm in Stellenbosch , but reduces in the North of the Western Caoe due to decrease of the Benguela current and the mountain shadow
-Climates of the gorwing regions are influenced heavily by the mountain ranges, slopes and aspects
-most are cooled by the ocean -
** Benguela - cold north flowing current - mingles with warmer Agulhas current fro the Indian Ocean =lower temperatures anf fog /cooling breezes
**Cape Doctor is a SE wind during Spring and Summer that extends the impact of the Benguela current - ADV inhibits disease and brings rain to the South Coast DIS -can damage leaves and affect photosyntheses , severely affecting the flowering process and berry set, reducing yields
HAZARDS : Spring frost in the Breedekloof Ward
Lack of winter freeze can stop vines from dormancy
Prolonged Drought has been a major issue and access to water
Access to water esp. in Swartland ( mostly dry farmed )
Drip irrigation is installed in most areas
South Africa: Grape Varieties
Chenin
Colombard ( for Brandy or blends - Med-Med plus acid )
Cabernet sauvignon
Sauvignon Blanc
Shiraz
Pinotage ( ssee separate card)
Chardonnay
Merlot
=80% of the plantings
In order - Chenin double that of the Loire at 16,000 ha
Others around 5-10,000ha
South Africa: Pinotage
- bred at the Uni of Stellenbosch in 1925 - cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault
-Early budding ( grown in warmer parts where spring frost is not an issue )
-Moderate susceptible to Fungal Disease
-Reaches high sugar levels in the small berries resulting in higher alcohol with deep colour - only requiring a short time on skins after the end of ferment
eg. 3 days for lighter , five days for fuller bodied style
-Poor reputation for quality but better practices eg. avoiding water stress and better winemaking at lower temps has seen improvement
South Africa: Soils
- three main types in the Western Cape
1. Soils from the Table Mountain sandstone : sandy low nutrient soil , free draining . Careful irrigation and fertilisation
- Soils from Granite . These soils are found on the foothills slopes of the mountains and hilly areas . Good water retention and potential for dry farming
- Soils from Shale - good nutrient levels and good water retention , high volume , dry farming
Most Cape soils are very acidic and require heavy adjustments with lime to acieve suitable PH for grapes
South Africa: Vineyard Management
-Vine density is typically low with larger vines carrying more fruit .
High quality growers work with closer spacing
-legacy of viral disease leafroll,and fanleaf reducing yield and requiring replanting ( at a cost)
-Powdery mildew is most common and typically contained with fungicides and or organicn methods
-Cordon with VSP is most common with a fruiting wire at 0.75 m for ease of pruning
-Also short spur pruning and can be mechanised to save on labour
Most picking is done by hand due to the availabilty of labour
-Yields are varied dependin on irrigation or dry farming , vine spacing and the age of the vines
eg. Large scale inexpensive vs. old dry grown vines
-Olifants Riveer is 4 times the production of Swartland
Very few Organic or Bio growers
-Pest management is integrated
eg. IPW est.1998 . - Integrated Production of Wine details and governs all aspects of growing and winemaking from carbon emissions , staff training and conservation of soils, rivers and wetlands
90% of all prodcuers adhere to this system ( 95% of all grapes) . Self regualtion is required but also includes annual audits of documents and enviro spot checks
