South Africa Copied & Amended Flashcards

1
Q

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

A

Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc

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2
Q

What is Pinotage a Crossing of?

A

Pinot Noir and Cinsault

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3
Q

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

A

Benguela

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4
Q

KWV, created in 1918 had monopolistic powers, what happened once democracy in South Africa arrived?

A
  • From 1992, KWV’s rights systematically repealed; reorganized as a private business
    • It had tremendous powers such as:
      • fixing prices (distilling & beverage wine),
      • approve purchases of wine
      • set quotas of plantings;
      • control import, marketing, distribution of vine cuttings
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5
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.

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6
Q

What grape is Durbanville renowned for?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

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7
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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8
Q

South African has enjoyed great export success since re entering the international markets in early 90s - what volume growth, what markets, bulk vs. packaged and price point?

A
  • Export success
    • 22 million litres in 1992 to 450 million litres in 2017
    • From 20 export countries to over 135 countries
    • The key countries are:
      • UK – 23% of total exports by volume
      • Germany is second…..
      • USA
      • China
      • Countries in Africa
    • Packaged wine is 39% of exports
    • Bulk wine is the remaining 61%
    • The average price for the wine is low

Many producers are below a sustainable level of income

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9
Q

Main soil types - there are three generic ones - name and describe them

A
  • 3 Main types of soils
    • Table Mountain Sandstone:
      • Sandy; Low nutrients& water retaining properties
      • need attention to irrigation & fertilization
    • Granite:
      • Found on foothill slopes & hilly areas
      • Good water retention; potential for dry farming
    • Shale:
      • Good nutrient levels
      • Water retentive
      • Potential for dry farming
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10
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.

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11
Q

What is the climate of Stellenbosch?

What, if anything, provides cooling?

Name some of the grapes planted.

A

Warm Mediterranean climate

Moderated by:

Cool winds from False Bay funnel winds through mountains into valleys

Altitude with vineyards up to 600mRL

Black: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinotage

White: Sauv Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay

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12
Q

Wine geographical hierarchy for South Africa?

A
  • Geographical Unit:
    • Very large areas
    • E.g. Western Cape – accounts for nearly all SA wine by volume!
  • Region:
    • Named after major feature - Coastal region or Brede River valley
  • District:
    • Wider categories of Soils, Climate, Ecology; Stellenbosch or Walker bay; like major center or mountain range; some have no wards
  • Ward:
    • defined area within a district: based on common soils, climate, ecological factors
    • some have no districts but relate to a region
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13
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.
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14
Q

Paarl is located to the ________________ of Stellenbosch.

A

Northeast

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15
Q

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

A

Western Cape / Coastal Region / Cape Town District

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16
Q

Domestic consumption?

A
  • Local consumption relatively low with 50% of the annual production consumed domestically
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17
Q

The most planted white grapes in Stellenbosch is:

A

Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc & Chardonnay

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18
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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19
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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20
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

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21
Q

South Africa produces Fairtrade wine - how much?

A
  • SA largest producer of Fairtrade wine globally: 2/3rds of Fairtrade wine sales
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22
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

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23
Q

Hemel-en-Aarde Valley - details?

A

Hemel-en-Aarde Valley (ward):

  • lowest in Altitude; closest to Atlantic; Original planting area
  • PN & Chardonnay thrive here; fresher & brighter style than inland
  • PN can reach 14% ABV here
  • BOUCHARD FINLAYSON (Peter Finlayson) established in 1989
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24
Q

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

A

Worcester District

Robertson District

Breedekloof

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25
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”

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26
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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27
Q

rainfall of Olifants river

A

200mm and lower

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28
Q

Which region surrounds South Africa’s Cape Town?

A

Coastal Region

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29
Q

Olifants river region is the source of ? and name some districts and wards

A
  • Source of dry farmed, old vines
    • Districts: Citrusdal mountain, Lutzville valley districts
    • Wards: Bamboes Bay, Piekenierskloof wards in this region
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30
Q

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

A

Chenin Blanc

31
Q

Pinotage - describe the two styles that can be found in South Africa now

A
  • Traditional:
    • Deep ruby in colour
    • Red plum, Blackberry fruit; High tannins;
    • Full body; High Alcohol
    • on skins post fermentation for 3 to 5 days to get deeper colour
  • Lighter style:
    • grown on cooler sites or picked earlier
    • Medium Ruby colour and Red fruits
    • Medium Tannins
    • Typically, NOT macerated post fermentation
32
Q

Swartland is located within which region?

A

Coastal Region

33
Q

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

A

The Cape Doctor

34
Q

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

A

100%

35
Q

Maturation of inexpensive verus premium Pinotage?

A
  • Also, the maturation given to the wines varies by price point:
    • Inexpensive wines:
      • Aged in stainless steel or used barrels
      • Oak alternatives (staves or chips) may be used
      • Released early – 6-12 months after vintage
      • Good to very good in quality and inexpensive in price
    • Premium wines:
      • Aged for an extended period – 12 to 15 months
      • In French oak barriques
      • Often more than 50% new
      • Released two years after vintage
      • Recently more producers have cut the use of new oak
      • Very good to outstanding in quality and mid to premium priced
36
Q

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

A

Table Mountain

37
Q

Recent climatic challenge has been?

A
  • Recent drought
    • Irrigation is essential in many areas
    • Promotion of old vines and drought resistant varieties is necessary
    • Water availability is a serious issue
    • Areas like Swartland, which is mainly dry farmed, very dry seasons is a serious issue
38
Q

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

A

Constantia

39
Q

What are the 5 Regions that make up Western Cape GI?

A

Coastal Region

Breede River Valley

Cape South Coast

Klein Karoo

Olifants River

40
Q

Constantia is constantly cooled by:

A

The Cape Doctor

41
Q

What current cools South Africa?

A

The Benguela Current, in the Southern Ocean, from Antarctica

42
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%

43
Q

the climate of South Africa is ?

A

Warm mediterranean with warm summers

44
Q

Hemel-en-Aarde is a collective name for 3 wards in Walker Bay region - what are some details.

A

WARD: Hemel-en-Aarde

  • Collective name for 3 wards: projecting inland from seaside town of Hermanus
  • Cooling wind: reduce over ripening & vigour
  • Aspect generally North: achieving ripeness
  • Soils: 55% clay in parts of Hemel- en- Aarde (similar to burgundy); improves water holding capacity in soil
  • Cover crops grown to reduce evaporation
  • Chardonnay & PN main varieties, big 6 grown as well
  • Some Albarino & Viognier
45
Q

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

A

Western Cape

46
Q

Describe the climate of Elgin

A
  • Climate
    • Cooler than other parts; ¾ heat summation days of Stellenbosch
    • Altitude; Cloud cover; Cooling influence of ocean lowers temps overall
    • Cold nights & cooling summer breezes; slow growing season= more elegance & higher Acidity
    • Rainfall - 1000mm
47
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

48
Q

Which country imports more South African wine than any other?

A

The UK

49
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.

50
Q

Largest plantings for black grapes?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon

51
Q

Chenin Blanc is the biggest white wine varietal - describe the wines and the two styles they can be made in

A
  • Typically, Chenin Blanc wines have:
    • Medium to pronounced intensity
    • Ripe yellow apple or peach fruit with tropical fruit notes
    • High acidity
    • Medium alcohol and body
    • May have vanilla and toast aromas from oak
    • Quality can vary from:
      • inexpensive/mid-priced, high volume wines with acceptable to good quality
      • Higher quality wines, mid to premium priced, with very good to outstanding quality
    • Significant producers:
      • DeMorgenzon and Ken Forrester
52
Q

What climatic impact can be a problem in South Africa?

A

Drought

53
Q

What grape is Darling District renowned for?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

54
Q

The Franschhoek wine district is an important premium wine producer, describe it in detail

A

FRANSCHHOEK VALLEY DISTRICT:

  • ‘French corner”
  • SE of Paarl
  • Narrow valley encircled by mountains on 3 sides gives a varied shelter, warmth and topography
  • 2 levels of sites
    • Valley floor: 300m altitude
    • Higher slopes: over 600m used
      • Marginally cooler climate & higher diurnal range
  • Rainfall: 800mm
  • Irrigation essential as soils are fast draining
  • Sav Blanc, Cab Sav, Shiraz, plus Old vine Semillon
  • Fresher quality fruit (leading producers of Cap Classique wines)
  • BOEKENHOUTSKLOOF (Chocolate brand) & CAPE CHAMONIX
  • MULLINEUX – a new up and coming producer
55
Q

Olifants River region - the climate

A

Climate

Mediterranean climate with Altitude 450-550m

& Cooling from Indian Ocean

Helps produces some very high quality fruit

56
Q

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

A

Cab Sav, Syrah and Pinotage

57
Q

The three most common South African blends?

A
  • The most common blends are:
    • White Cape blends
      • Typically, Chenin Blanc dominant with some Rhone varieties or Chardonnay, Semillon, or Sauvignon Blanc
    • Red Bordeaux blends
    • Red Cape Blends
      • Broader category of blends
      • Generally, features significant proportion of Pinotage and or Rhone varieties
58
Q

South Africa has introduced many programmes around its sustainability, ethical farming, fairtrade, better working conditions for workers - name as many of them as you can.

A

INITIATIVES for South African wine industry:

  • In addition to Wine of Origin & certification schemes, no of initiatives created forming common goals
  • Integrated Production of Wine
    • created in 1998
    • independent audited guidelines for sustainable farming covering environmental impact
    • water usage, health, safety, biodiversity protection
    • 95% of growers & cellars adhere to these guidelines
  • Biodiversity & Wine Initiative (BWI)
    • created in 2005; by 2015, 90% of SA Industry able to certify wine as environmentally friendly; Name changed to WWF-SA Conservation Champion Programme
    • biodiversity conservation
    • improvement of production practices; energy efficient measures; water stewardship
  • Integrity and Sustainability seal
    • The Wine and Spirits Board together with IPW & WOSA
    • introduce the industry wide Integrity & Sustainability seal in 2010
    • Guarantees certified wines environmental credentials such as chemical usage; water management;
    • introduction of natural predators
  • Sustainable wine SA (SWSA): alliance between WSB, IPW, WWF, WOSA
  • Wine & Agricultural Ethical Trade Assoc:
    • Voluntary assoc. of businesses committed to an audited scheme of ethical trade
    • Focus is on reasonable working conditions for workers
59
Q

The small Wellington district - details?

A

WELLINGTON DISTRICT:

  • 45 mins from NE Cape Town and north of Paarl
  • Reputation for Shiraz & powerful red blends
  • Vineyards found on Alluvial Terraces (benches) towards Swartland’s rolling hills
  • Some in foothills of Hawequa Mountains; Fold & Valleys create varied meso climates
  • Home to many nurseries: 85% of SA cuttings with vineyards

BOSMAN FAMILY VINEYARDS

60
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)

61
Q

Black grapes are ___% of Ha.?

A

46%

62
Q

Walker Bay district - details

A

WALKER BAY DISTRICT:

  • Adjacent to Atlantic Ocean
  • The coolest regions in SA
  • Most vineyards on Slate soils at 300-600m
  • Chardonnay & Pinot Noir planted by Burgundy lover Tim Hamilton Russell from 1975; others followed from 1989 onwards
  • Divided into wards: Bot River; 3 wards related to Hemel-en-Aarde
63
Q

In which Region is Stellenbosch located?

A

Coastal Region

64
Q

Swartland is a ___ within which region?

A

District / Coastal Region

65
Q

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

A

Cape Town / Coastal Region / Western Cape

66
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.
67
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

68
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

69
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.

70
Q

Distell group dominates the South African wine market

A
  • Distell group dominates the domestic market - 40% of the wine volume sold!
    • Distell has beer, spirits, ciders and wine
    • Amarula is one of their key brands
71
Q

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

A

Hemel-en-Aarde

72
Q

Latitude of main winegrowing areas?

A

32-35 degrees S

73
Q

Who are the big six varieties of South Africa?

A

big six varieties – Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinotage and Shiraz