South African Sparkling Wine Flashcards
What are the two main categories of South African sparkling wine? #1
1) Cheap, inexpensive sparkling wine made by Carbonation method, that is often sweet, and is primarily consumed in the domestic market, as well as other countries in sub-Saharan territories, such as ANgola, Mozambique and Nigeria. These wines are typically acceptable-good quality.
What are the two main categories of South African sparkling wine? #2
2) Traditional Method sparkling wine, known as Cap Classique. Typically made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, as well as Chenin Blanc, and Pinotage. These wines are mid- to premium-priced. Quality levels are typically good to very good.
Carbonated Sparkling Wine
Continues to be an important product for domestic, and African consumption. The wines are often simple, and fruity, and often off-dry to sweet. It has increased its share of South African production for 30% to 40% of the total sparkling wine production in just 4 years between 2014-2018.
Cap Classique
Methode Cap CLassique (MCC) or Cap Classique is both the name of a production method in SA (second fermentation is the bottle) and the trademark of an association of grows and producers producing these wines. The association was founded in 1992. Association members are responsible for 90% of bottle fermented sparkling wine in SA.
What are the three main standards that are now enshrined in law for Cap Classique production?
1) Wine must undergo second fermentation in the same bottle that goes to the market (ie Traditional Method)
2) CC must contain a minimum of 3 bars of pressure post-disgorgement.
3) Wines must age of the lees for minimum 9 months during second fermentation. However CC Producers Association as already agreed to a minimum of 12 months, and will be the new required standard in 2020.
What 4 grapes make up 95% of the grapes used in Cap Classique?
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Chenin Bland & Pinotage.
What are the major regions for Cap Classique grape production in SA?
Robertson, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Darling and Tulbagh
Is hard harvesting required for Cap Classique?
It is not required, although its highly recommended.
Do CC wines typically undergo MLF?
There is no definitive answer. Some producers chose to undergo MLF, but many of CC’s grape growing regions are warm, and warm climate grapes for traditional method wines typically lack acidity, so in this case MLF would be unwanted. Many wines actually undergo acidification because of the lack of general acidity.
How is CC rose typically made?
Assemblage (blending).
Cap Classique Wine Laws:
In March 2017, the CCPA (CC Producers Association) proposed a law, requiring all grapes destined for this category to be ‘certified’ (go through an approval process for W.O scheme). Minimum lees aging to be raied to 12 months for all producers after the 2020 vintage, and all producers of CC need to be members of the CCPA.
There is also a push for a second, higher tier category of production outside the standard quality.
The proposed category would require wines to be made from only Chard/PN/Chenin Blanc/Pinotage; grapes to be ONLY whole cluster pressed (hand harvested) and wine must be kept on the lees for 36 months.
How many producers dominate the CC wine production trade?
- J. C. Le Roux is considered to be a top producer
Is CC production growing?
Yes! Rapidly! Sales have been doubling every 5 years in the recent decades. The export market is also booming, with Graham Beck now exporting about 50% of its production. Exports have doubled in the last decade.
What is the main body that promotes SA sparkling wines?
Wines of South Africa
