Week 3 - South Africa Flashcards

1
Q

Are South African wines well-understood in Canada?

A

No. Need to specific LCBO stores to find but selection is growing.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Are exports from South Africa growing? When did this start to occur?

A

Slowly. Since 1994.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Describe SA’s climate.

A

Mediterrean.
Warm summers from November to April
Coastal regions are cooler
Inland regions are warmer and drier. Irrigation is necessary.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Are South African wines good sources of value?

A

Yes - at all levels.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Name 4 districts in the Cape South Coast Region.

A
  1. Walker Bay
  2. Elgin
  3. Overberg
  4. Agulhas
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Name 3 inland regions.

A
  1. Worcester
  2. Paarl
  3. Robertson
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Describe the strictness, or lack therefor, of tbe appelation system of South Africa.

A

Relatively free system allowing for innovation and growth
Regions still evolving
Excitement growing for recent SA vintages
New terroirs are being identified and groomed for correct varietals

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

How are South African winemakers experimenting? What kinds of wines are being created?

A

Experiments with different vessels, shapes and sizes
* Wooden barrels, plastic, clay, concrete
* New yeast species
Effects on wine:
* Reds are lighter and juicier
* Whites are zippier and tighter
* Rosés are paler and drier
* Nuanced, bright fresh style, role of oak diminishing or eliminated

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Describe the history of characteristics of SA’s wine classification system.

A

Established in 1972
South African version of AOC’s minus French restrictions:
* Certifies vintage, varietal and area of origin
* Sustainable certification to guarantee eco-sensitive production

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the key WO labelling requirements (think percentages).

A

100% from stated area
Minimum 75% from stated vintage
Minimum 85% from stated variety

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What does Estate mean on the label?

A

Rare term; appears on wines bottled on the location/farm on which the grapes were grown.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What does Methode Cap Classique mean on the label?

A

Traditional method sparkling

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What does Noble Late Harvest mean on the label?

A

Sweet wines made from botrytized grapes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What does Premier Grand Cru mean on the label?

A

Dry, light and usually blended white - misleading term occasionally used in SA

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What does Vin de Constance mean on the label?

A

SA’s oldest wine dating back to Napolean
Sweet wine of Constantia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Describe SA’s geographical wine hierarchy (larger to smaller)

A

Regions
Districts
Wards
Estate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Name the 3 regions in the Western Cape Geographical Unit.

A

Coastal Region
Cape South Coast
Breede River Valley

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Name 2 districts in the Breede River Valley region

A

Worcester (upper)
Robertson (lower

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Name 2 districts in the Cape South Coast region

A
  1. Elgin
  2. Walker Bay
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Name 5 districts in the Coastal region

A
  1. Swartland
  2. Paarl
  3. Stellenbosch
  4. Capetown
  5. Darling
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Name 4 wards. What districts are they in?

A
  1. Durbanville - Capetown District
  2. Hemel-en-Aarde - Walker Bay Distict
  3. Constantia - Capetown District
  4. Elim - Cape South Coast Region
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Where is Shiraz grown in South Africa?

A
  1. Stellenbosch
  2. Paarl
  3. Swartland
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Where is Cabernet Sauvignon grown in South Africa?

A
  1. Stellenbosch
  2. Paarl
  3. Robertson
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Where is Pinotage grown in South Africa?

A
  1. Paarl
  2. Stellenbosch
  3. Swartland
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Where is Semillon grown in South Africa?

A
  1. Stellenbosch
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Where is Chardonnay grown in South Africa?

A
  1. Walker Bay
  2. Elgin
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Where is Chenin Blanc grown in South Africa?

A
  1. Paarl
  2. Swartland
  3. Stellenbosch
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Name 2 excellent SA vintages.

A

2020
2021

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

Describe 5 different styles of Chenin Blanc.

A
  1. Crisp and refreshing: Elgin and Walker Bay (acid, green apple, citrus)
  2. Rich and full-bodied: Swaartland and Paarl (stone, tropical, fuller body)
  3. Oak-aged: Stellenbosck, Franschhoek (baked apple, caramel, buttery)
  4. Sweet: Constantia (apricot, candied orange peel, fig, sweet balanced with acidity)
  5. Cap-Classique: Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Robertson
30
Q

Describe a crisp Chenin Blanc

A

Floral: apple blosson
Green fruit: quince
Citrus: lime
Tropical: passionfruit
Celery

31
Q

Describe a rich Chenin Blanc

A

Apple - baked
Lemon - meringue
Stone - nectarine
Tropical - passionfruit
Honey

32
Q

Why is SA’s Pinotage called a chameleon?

A

Spectrum of styles
Youthful fruit forward
Age worthy

33
Q

What is SA Pinotage like on the nose and palate?

A

Nose
* Vibrant fresh reds (cooler)
* Ripe dark fruits (warmer)
* Oak: vanilla, mocha, spice
* Age: leather, smoked meat, tobacco

Palate:
* Full bodied and tannic
* Silkier, higher alcohol, fuller (warmer)
* Some producers making lighter
* Top level: silky mouthfeel like Merlot

34
Q

What are the primary flavours of Pinotage?

A

Blackfruit (blackberry, black cherry)
Herbal: mint
Dried/cooked fruit: fig
Bottle ageing: game

35
Q

Describe the climate and soils of Stellenbosch

A

Climate
* Warm mediterrean
* Good rainfall - no irrigation
* Temps higher in north
* Perfect for grape growing
Soils
* Light and sandy (west) - good for Chenin
* Heavier soils on mountain slopes
* Decomposed granate at mountain foot

36
Q

What grapes grow in Stellenbosch

A

Red: Bordeaux varieties, Shiraz and Pinotage
White: SB, some CB, Chard, Riesling

37
Q

Describe the disrict of Stellenbosch.

A
  1. Heart of quality wine production
  2. Largest in area under vine but only 5th in production
  3. 150 estates
    * Ken Forrester, Raats Family, Rustenberg
  4. Home to Stellenbosch University
38
Q

Name some subwards in Stellenbosch.

A
  1. Simonsberg - first official subregion
  2. Jonkershoek Valley - small, long recognized, mountains east of Stellenbosch
  3. Papegaalberg
  4. Bottelary
  5. Banghoek
  6. Polkadraal Hills
  7. Heiderberg
39
Q

Describe the soils of Stellenbosch.

A

Best wines tend come from vineyards that are on alluvial fans of the granite mountains.

The wines from these locations are often described as having a subtle mineral note which many believe is from the decomposed granite soils.

The granite mountains are approximately 600 million years old, over 3 times as old as the soil in Napa.

40
Q

Where is Simonsberg?

A

Simonsberg is a ward in the district of Stellenbosch.

41
Q

Describe the soils of Simonsberg.

A

Deep, reddish clay soils - massive tannins that need ageing

42
Q

What wines are produced in Simonsberg?

A
  1. Bordeaux Blends
  2. Chenin Blancs, Sauvignon Blanc (the blancs)
43
Q

Give the WO of Jonkershoek.

A

Jonkershoek is a ward in the district of Stellenbosch.

44
Q

Describe Jonkershoek Valley

A

Home to only 1 of 6 floral kingdoms in the world
9.600 recorded plant species
* 70% not found elsewhere in the world
Fragile region

45
Q

What wine is Jonkershoek known for?

A

Syrah

46
Q

Describe a Syrah from Jonkershoek

A

Red fruit: Cherry syrup
Black fruit: bramble
Herbal: menthol
Minerality: clay dust
Oak: sweet tobacco

47
Q

What is the WO of Banghoek?

A

Banghoek is a ward in the district of Stellenbosch.

48
Q

What wines does Banghoek produce?

A
  1. Chardonnay
  2. Chenin
    * Lemon curd, pineapple, vanilla, acid
49
Q

In what region is Paarl?

A

Paarl is in the Coastal Region.

50
Q

What wines are produced in Paarl?

A

Red: Shiraz, Bordeaux varieties, Pinotage
White: Chenin Blanc, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay

51
Q

Describe Swartland.

A

Traditionally a grain producing area
Recent awards for reds and whites
Top portstyle wines

52
Q

What grapes are grown in Swartland?

A

Red: Pinotage, Shiraz, CS
White: Chard, CB, SB

53
Q

Name 3 of the 5 wards in Swartland.

A
  1. Riebeekberg
  2. Riebeeksrivier
  3. Malmesbury
  4. Paardeberg
  5. Paardeberg-South
54
Q

What LCBO wines come from Franschhoek?

A
  1. The Chocolate Block
  2. Porcupine Ridge

LCBO: $83

55
Q

What grapes are grown in Franschhoek?

A

Red: Syrah
White: Semillon, SB, Chard

56
Q

Name 4 of the 6 WO’s in the Cape South Coast.

A
  1. Elgin
  2. Walker Bay
  3. Overberg
  4. Cape Agulhas
  5. Plettenberg Bay
  6. Swellendam
57
Q

In what region is Elgin found?

A

Cape South Coast

58
Q

Describe Elgin’s climate.

A

High-lying cool climate

59
Q

What grapes are grown in Elgin?

A

White: Chard, Riesling, SB
Red: Pinot Noir, Shiraz

60
Q

Describe the climate of Walker Bay.

A

One of the coolest regions in SA
Slate soils 300-600m above sea level

61
Q

What grapes are grown in Walker Bay?

A

White: Chardonnay, SB
Red: Pinot Noir, Pinotage, Merlot, Shiraz

62
Q

Describe the SB in Walker Bay

A

Cross between Sancerre and Hawke’s Bay.

63
Q

Describe the output of the Breede River Valley

A

1/3 of SA’s vineyards
40% of production

64
Q

Describe the climate of Robertson.

A

Hot climate
Tempered slightly by clouds from sea
Irrigation from Breede River
Lime soil

65
Q

What grapes are grown in Robertson?

A

White: Columbard, CB, Chard, SB
Red: CS, Shiraz

66
Q

Where is Worcester?

A

Northeast of Paarl in the Breede River Valley region.

67
Q

Describe the climate of Worcester.

A

Hot dry area that needs irrigation.

68
Q

Does Worcester produce brandy?

A

Yes.
Most important brandy producing area.
Largest distilley of its kind in southern hemisphere

69
Q

What grapes are grown in Worcester?

A

White: CB and Colombard
Red: CS and Cinsault

70
Q

To where are a lot of Worcester wines exported?

A

Many Worcester wines are custom made for the UK.