WINES OF THE WORLD 🇿🇦 South Africa Flashcards
Main regions of Western Cape
- Coastal Region
- Breede River Valley
- Olifants River
- Cape South Coast
- Klein Karoo
Main districts of Coastal Region
- Swartland
- Darling
- Cape Town
- Stellenbosch
- Franschoek Valley
- Paarl
- Wellington
- Tulbagh
Main districts of Breede River Valley
- Breedekloof
- Worcester
- Robertson
Main districts of Cape South Coast
- Elgin
- Walker Bay
Main wards of Cape Town
- Constantia
- Durbanville
Main wards of Paarl
- Simonsberg-Paarl
Main wards of Stellenbosch
- Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Main wards of Walker Bay
- Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
- Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
- Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
- Bot River
Type of soils in South Africa
- From Table Mountains sandstone - sandy, low nutrients and water-retention properties; vineyards need attention to irrigation and fertilisation.
- From granite - on the foothill slopes of mountains and in the hilly areas, good water retention; potential for dry-farming.
- From shale - good nutrient levels and good water retention; potential for dry-farming.
Most Cape soils are too acidic, so adjustment with lime (otherwise low yields).
Hazards in South Africa
Spring frost (especially in the Breedekloof ward) but not regular. Possibility of lack of consistent winter freeze (no winter dormancy). Viral diseases (leafroll and fanleaf) and powdery mildew.
Main grape varieties of South Africa
Mainly Chenin Blanc, and with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Pinotage is part of the ‘big six’ varieties. Also Colombard and Merlot.
Main training systems in South Africa
Cordon with VSP with a fruiting wire at 0.75 m for ease of pruning, short spur pruning is common.
How to produce high volume Chenin Blanc in South Africa, from the vineyard to the bottle
- High yields, regular spraying to avoid botrytis.
- Mechanical harvest, according to the topography.
- Acidification, no malo, cultured yeast. Cool fermentation in stainless steel or concrete.
- Blended with up 15% of other varieties (Colombard).
- Ageing in stainless steel or old oak for a few months, some add oak flavours.
- Adjustment in sugar using concentrated grape must to 5+ g/L. Stabilisation, fining and filtration.
- Bulk transport and bottled in the final market.
How to produce low volume Chenin Blanc in South Africa, from the vineyard to the bottle
- Low yields, possibility of botrytis according to the style.
- Hand harvest.
- No acidification, no malo, ambient or cultured yeast. Cool fermentation in inert vessels, some use eggs and amphora, others prefer new oak.
- No blending with other varieties.
- Lees ageing for 3-9 months for those fermented in stainless steel or concrete, otherwise 10-12 months, new oak according to the desired style, batonnage option.
- No sugar adjustment. Stabilisation, light fining and filtration.
- Bottled in South Africa.
How to produce high volume Pinotage in South Africa, from the winemaking to maturation
- Pumping over and punching down at the start of fermentation.
- Ageing in stainless steel or old barrels, some add oak flavours, early release.
How to produce low volume Pinotage in South Africa, from the winemaking to maturation
- Cold soaking before crushing (more extraction). Pumping over and punching down at the start of fermentation.
- Extended ageing in French oak barriques, released two years after the vintage, high % of new oak, now less than in the past.
Integrated Production of Wine (IPW)
1998, regulations on growing and winemaking from carbon emissions to staff training and conservation of soil, rivers, and wetlands. High level of self-regulation but also annual checks. 90% of South African exporters adhered to this.
Klein Karoo
Region of South Africa. Semi-arid, known for port-style wines from Portuguese varieties, fortified Muscats, and Chenin Blanc and Colombard for the brandy industry. Table wines from a few producers. Small plantings of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Shiraz.
Classification of Wine of Origin Scheme in South Africa
- Geographical Unit, very large areas based on political or geographical factors (Western Cape);
- Region, large area named after major feature based on political or geographical factors (Coastal Region or Breede River Valley);
- District, according to soils, climate and ecological factors (Stellenbosch or Walker Bay);
- Ward, defined area within a district according to specific soils, climate and ecological factors (Simonsberg-Stellenbosch).
Regulations of Wine of Origin Scheme in South Africa
100% grapes from that area; if vintage, 85+% from grapes of that vintage, if single variety, 85+% from that variety. It ensures also that the wine is of good quality, certification seal on the packaging.
“Estate wines” from South Africa
Grown, made and bottled on the estate.
“Single vineyard wines” from South Africa
On the label, if vineyards are no larger than 6 ha.
Types of wines made in South Africa
Both bulk and premium wines. In the past, grapes were used mainly for the brandy industry. Value packaging is a popular format. The value of bulk wine has increased in recent years (growers received lower prices expected and jobs have been lost in finishing and packaging).
Wine styles produced in South Africa
- White Cape blends
- Red Bordeaux blends (also some whites)
- Red Cape blends
Also Cap Classique, botrytis-affected wines and fortified wines.
White Cape blends
Wine style from South Africa. Typically Chenin-dominant blends but with white Rhône varieties, Chardonnay, Semillon or Sauvignon Blanc.
