WSET Diploma South Africa Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 6 Geographical Units/Regions of South Africa?

A

Northern Cape

Eastern Cape

Western Cape

Free State

Limpopo

KwaZulu-Natal

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2
Q

What is the climate of the Worcester district?

What styles of wine does it produce?

A
  • 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.
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3
Q

What 1 black and 1 white grape is Swartland most renowned for?

A

Old Vine Chenin Blanc

High quality Syrah

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4
Q

In which century were the first vineyards planted in South Africa?

A

17th Century

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5
Q

Certified Wines of Origin (WO) must contain __% of the stated cultivar and vintage.

A

85%

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6
Q

What is a South African red wine blend called when it is a blend of Pinotage and other International grapes?

A

Cape Blend

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7
Q

What grapes are typically used for Methode Cap Classique wines?

A

Chardonnay / Pinot Noir

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8
Q

What is the “Cape Doctor” and what are its effects on grape-growing (both positive and negative)?

A

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.

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9
Q

What was Napoleon’s favorite dessert wine?

A

Klein Constantia / Vin de Constance

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10
Q

Which wine is regarded as the top 100% Shiraz produced in South Africa?

Which region does it come from?

A

De Toren’s “The Black Lion”

Swartland and Stellenbosch

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11
Q

Name the famous golfer who jointly owns a prestige South African winery?

Which region is it located in?

A

Ernie Els

Stellenbosch

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12
Q

What grape is Durbanville District renowned for?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

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13
Q

The Olifants River Region is made up of which 3 Districts?

A

Citrusdal Mountain

Citrusdal Valley

Lutzville Valley

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14
Q

The Stellenbosch and Paarl WO districts are separated by _____ Mountain.

A

Simonsberg

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15
Q

What white grapes are grown in the cooler sites in Stellenbosch?

A

Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc

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16
Q

What is South Africa’s most planted white and red grape varieties?

A

White (most overall): Chenin Blanc (Steen)

Red: Cabernet Sauvignon

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17
Q

The South African appellation system is goverened by which body?

What is the 4-part hierarchy of wines?

A

The Wine of Origin System (WO)

Geographical Units / Regions / Districts / Wards

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18
Q

Where would you find some of the oldest vineyards in The Cape?

A

Constantia Ward

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19
Q

Which South African producer makes the Bordeaux-style blend known as “Rubicon”?

Which District / Region / GU is it located in?

What grapes are used?

A

Meerlust

Stellenbosch / Coastal Region / Western Cape

Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, w/ Merlot / Cabernet Franc / Petit Verdot

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20
Q

In which Ward / District / Region would you be likely to find the best Pinot Noir in South Africa?

A

Hemel-en-Aarde Ward, Walker Bay District, Cape South Coast Region

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21
Q

In South African wine law, if an area of production appears on the label, what % of grapes must come from that area?

A

100%

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22
Q

What is the coolest wine-growing district in South Africa?

What 3 factors provide cooling for this district?

A

Elgin

Proximity to the Atlantic

Prevailing wind directions

Altitude

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23
Q

What is the name of the wind that brings cool air inland?

A

The Cape Doctor

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24
Q

What is Pinotage a Crossing of?

A

Pinot Noir and Cinsault

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25
Q

What are the rules for ‘Estate Wines’ in South Africa?

A

Grapes must come from estate vineyards in one GI. Estate must process from grape to wine incl bottling

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26
Q

What are the 3 main black grapes grown in Paarl District?

A

Cab Sav, Syrah and Pinotage

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27
Q

In which Region is Stellenbosch located?

A

Coastal Region

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28
Q

Constantia is a ward within which District / Region / Geographical Unit?

A

Cape Town / Coastal Region / Western Cape

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29
Q

What is the widest planted grape variety in South Africa by volume / acreage?

A

Chenin Blanc

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30
Q

What are the 6 Regions that make up Western Cape GI?

A

Coastal Region

Breede River Valley

Cape South Coast

Klein Karoo

Olifants River

Boberg

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31
Q

What 2 white and 1 Black grape is Elim ward renowned for?

A

Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon

Syrah

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32
Q

What is the signature black grape of South Africa?

What is the most planted black grape?

What are 6 other popular black grapes planted?

A

Pinotage.

Cabernet Sauvignon.

Cinsault, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Tinta Barroca

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33
Q

“Hanepoot” is a regional synonym from which country for which grape?

A

South Africa / Muscat of Alexandria

34
Q

Although South Africa’s wine history extends back several hundred years, its modern history did not really begin until _____.

A

The end of Apartheid in the early 1990’s

35
Q

What is ‘Dry Farming’, what outcome does it provide and which South African District often uses it?

A

Vine growing without irrigation

Reduced yields = more concentrated fruit flavours Swartland

36
Q

Paarl is located to the ________________ of Stellenbosch.

A

Northeast

37
Q

The Western Cape’s southernmost district is:

A

Cape Agulhas

38
Q

What is Stellenbosch District most renowned for?

2 specific examples of this wine:

A

Top class red wines Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends with Merlot (Cape Blends), Syrah.

Warwick Estate’s “Trilogy”

Meerlust’s “Rubicon”

39
Q

What White grape is Elgin renowned for?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

40
Q

What are the 2 main white grapes grown in Constantia?

A

Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon

41
Q

Swartland is a ___ within which region?

A

District / Coastal Region

42
Q

What current cools South Africa?

A

The Benguela Current, in the Southern Ocean, from Antarctica

43
Q

Match the following areas with their place within South Africa’s WO scheme:

A. Kwazulu-Natal

B. Simonsberg-Paarl

C. Franschhoek Valley

D. Klein Karoo

A

A. Geographical Unit

B. Ward

C. District

D. Region

44
Q

“Trilogy” is a famous Bordeaux blend produced by ______________ Wine Estate.

Which district / GU is it located in?

What grapes are used?

A

Warwick

Stellenbosch / Coastal Region

Mostly Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon with a small amount of Merlot.

45
Q

What are 3 key Districts and 2 Wards in the Coastal Region in South Africa?

A

Stellenbosch District / Paarl District / Swartland District

Durbanville Ward / Constantia Ward

46
Q

Constantia is constantly cooled by:

A

The Cape Doctor

47
Q

What is Vin de Constance?

Who are 3 producers still making it?

A

An unfortified, dried grape wine made from Muscat de Frontignan (Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains)

Klein Constance

Groot Constance

Buitenverwachting

48
Q

What are some pros and cons of strong winds from the Cape Doctor?

A

PROS: -suppresses fungal disease -moderates temperature.

CONS: -can injure vines and disturb flowering

49
Q

Founded in 1918, what was the South African state-owned wine company called?

A

K W V (Kooperatieve Wijnbouwers Vereniging van Zuid-Afrika Bpkt)

50
Q

Name 6 top producers in Stellenbosch, including one that specializes in Pinotage:

A

Rust en Vrede

Neil Ellis

Kanonkop (specializes in Pinotage)

De Toren

Warwick Wine Estate

Meerlust

51
Q

Swartland is located within which region?

A

Coastal Region

52
Q

What are the 3 Districts that make up Breede River Valley Region in South Africa?

A

Worcester District

Robertson District

Breedekloof

53
Q

What is the name of South Africa’s unique red grape, and what year was it created?

How did its name originate?

A

Pinotage

1925

At the time, the Cinsault varietal was known as “Hermitage” in South Africa, so “Pinotage” is a portmanteu of “Pinot Noir” and “Hermitage”, hence, “Pinotage”.

54
Q

Which South African District is Hamilton Russell a producer in?

What is this winery known for?

A

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.

55
Q

What are the 6 Districts that make up Cape South Coast Region in South Africa?

A

Districts: Walker Bay / Elgin / Cape Agulhas / Overberg / Plettenberg Bay / Swellendam

56
Q

What are the different style of Pinotage made in S. Africa?

A
  • 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.
57
Q

What is the climate of Stellenbosch?

What, if anything, provides cooling?

What are the top 2 grapes planted?

A

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

58
Q

What percentage of grapes must originate from a WO area in order to include it on a label?

A

100%

59
Q

What 2 styles of wine are Robertson well known for?

Which varietal is emerging in popularity?

A

Cap Classique production as well as red wine production.

Here, Shiraz is emerging as one of the district’s finest varietal wines.

60
Q

Which region surrounds South Africa’s Cape Town?

A

Coastal Region

61
Q

In which District / Region / GI is the Ward of Constantia?

A

Cape Town District / Coastal Region / Western Cape GI

62
Q

What climatic impact can be a problem in South Africa?

A

Drought

63
Q

What grape is Darling District renowned for?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

64
Q

What do the terms “Single Vineyard” and “Estate Wine” stipulate on a South African wine label?

A

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.

65
Q

Constantia vineyards are located on the Eastern flanks of which mountain?

A

Table Mountain

66
Q

What is the name of the Ward in Walker Bay District renowned for high quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir?

A

Hemel-en-Aarde

67
Q

Due to the _____ Current, South Africa’s coastal climate is cooler than its latitude suggests.

A

Benguela

68
Q

What is the most planted white grape in South Africa, and what is its South African nickname?

What are 6 other important white grapes (2 with specific South African synonyms)?

A

Chenin Blanc aka “Steen”

Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Colombard, Cape Riesling (a synonym for Crouchen Blanc unrelated to Riesling), Hanepoot (Muscat of Alexandria), and Gewürztraminer.

69
Q

Which country imports more South African wine than any other?

A

The UK

70
Q

Vin de Constance wines are made with which grape?

What are its 2 South African synonyms?

A

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

Muscat de Frontignan / Muscadel

71
Q

What are the 3 Districts that make up Breede River Valley Region?

A

Breedekloof, Worcester, and Robertson

72
Q

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

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

73
Q

The most planted white grape in Stellenbosch is:

A

Sauvignon Blanc

74
Q

What % of South African Wine is white?

A

55%

75
Q

Which winery has the queen stayed at, and is a favorite of Buckingham Palace?

A

Vergelegen

76
Q

Most of South Africa’s wine regions are located within which Geographical Unit?

A

Western Cape

77
Q

Name 2 important Wards and their corresponding Disctricts in the Cape South Coast region?

A

Elim Ward (Elgin District)

Hemel-en-Aarde (Walker Bay)

78
Q

What is SAWIT?

What is its mission?

A

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.

79
Q

What is the oldest of the Cape’s winegrowing areas?

A

Constantia

80
Q

What are the 2 main style of wine produced in Klein Karoo?

What are the 2 most planted varietals there?

A

Sweet and Fortified wines.

Muscat and Tinta Barroca

81
Q

In which region of South Africa is the Fairview Winery located?

What line is their homage to Cotes-du-Rhone wines?

A

Paarl

“Goats do Roam”