South Africa Flashcards

1
Q

Modern ZA wine industry transformed since 1994. Why?

A

African National Congress won 1st democratic elections

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2
Q

Before 1990s, ZA was dominated by what company?

A

KWV
Giant co-op that had regulatory powers to determine volumes and prices

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3
Q

Most planted variety in ZA?

A

Chenin Blanc

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4
Q

ZA; split between white and black grapes planted?

A

55% white
45% black

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5
Q

Climate in Western Cape

A

Warm Mediterranean generally
(but mountain ranges, slopes and aspects can make for differences)

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6
Q

Main cooling influence in Western Cape?

A

Benguela Current
cold, north-flowing

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7
Q

What is the Cape Doctor?

A

south-easterly wind during spring and summer
extends impact of Benguela current
Inhibits disease, brings some rain
can damage leaves

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8
Q

Potential problems associated with Cape Doctor?

A

Can damage leaves
Affecting photosynthesis, ripeness, flowering and berry set
=> reduce yields

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9
Q

Breedekloof ward has what specific threat?

A

Spring frost

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10
Q

What is the Benguela current?

A

Cold, north-flowing current in ZA

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11
Q

What is the Aghulhas current?

A

A warm current which mingles with the cold Benguela current to lower water temperatures between Cape Town and Cape Agulhas
=> coastal fog

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12
Q

Most ZA regions are close to the coast. So what?

A

You can ripen Pinot Noir etc in cooler areas as well as heat-loving varieties (Shiraz, Tinta Barocca)

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13
Q

Rain can be limited in northern part of Western Cape. So what?

A

It’s essential to either irrgate or use old vines in drier areas

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14
Q

Most planted white and most planted black grape in ZA?

A

Chenin Blanc
Cabernet Sauvignon

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15
Q

Top 3 planted varieties in ZA

A
  1. Chenin Blanc
  2. Colombard
  3. Cabernet Sauvignon
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16
Q

Who has more Chenin Blanc: South Africa or Loire Valley?

A

South Africa has 2x the amount of Chenin Blanc

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17
Q

Land under vine in ZA: going up or down?

A

Steady decrease in planting (reduction of 8% in 10 years)

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18
Q

What is Pinotage? Where did it come from?

A

A crossing of Pinot Noir x Cinsaut
University of Stellenbosch, 1925

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19
Q

Pinotage is early budding. So what?

A

Would be susceptible to spring frost, but it’s rarely a problem in warmer parts of the Cape, where it’s usually gron

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20
Q

Pinotage can have high alcohol. Why?

A

Reaches high sugar levels in small berries

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21
Q

Pinotage doesn’t need long time on skins after ferment to give a deep colour. Why?

A

Small berries give concentrated, deep colour
3 days on skins for lighter styles
5 days for fuller styles

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22
Q

Three main soil types in Western Cape

A

Table Mountain sandstone
Granite
Shale

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23
Q

Table Mountain sandstone. So what?

A

Sandy, low nutrients and low water retention
=> need irrigation and fertilisation

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24
Q

Granite soils in Western Cape. So what?

A

foothill slopes of mountains and hills
Good water retention
=> possible to dry-farm

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25
Q

Shale soils in Western Cape. So what?

A

good nutrients, good water retention
=> dry-farming

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26
Q

Most soils in Western Cape are very acid. So what?

A

Need heavy lime adjustments to achieve suitable pH for vines
Otherwise: nutrients not available, lower yields

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27
Q

Modern history of viral disease in ZA?

A

Legacy of plants with viral disease (leafroll and fanleaf)
=> reduce yields
=> add to cost of replanting

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28
Q

What are ZA growers doing about legacy of viral disease?

A

Planting virus-tested vines (cost!)

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29
Q

Olifants River known for particularly high or low yields?

A

HIGH!
Yields 4x that of Swartland

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30
Q

What is IPW?

A

Integrated Production of Wine
1998
Holistic system covering growing and winemaking

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31
Q

Vine density in ZA

A

Typically low
Large vines carrying more fruit

Some quality producers doing closer spacing

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32
Q

ZA Chenin Blanc style

A

Medium to pronounced intensity
Ripe yellow apple, peach, tropical
High acid
Medium alcohol
Medium body
Vanilla, toast

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33
Q

Significant producers of ZA Chenin Blanc?

A

DeMorgenzon
Ken Forrester

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34
Q

Traditional ZA Pinotage style

A

Deep ruby
Red plum, blackberry
High tannin
Full body
High alcohol

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35
Q

“Big six” varieties in South Africa

A

Chenin Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay

Cabernet Sauvignon
Shiraz
Pinotage

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36
Q

What are White Cape blends?

A

Typically Chenin-dominant
also white Rhone varieties, Chard, Semillon, Sauvignon

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37
Q

What are Red Cape blends?

A

broad category
can be a lot of Pinotage and/or black Rhone vareities

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38
Q

Four tiers of ZA’s Wine of Origin scheme?

A
  1. Geographical unit (very large area eg Western Cape)
  2. Region (large area named after a feature eg Coastal Region)
  3. District (eg Stellenbosch, Walker Bay)
  4. Ward (area within a district, eg Simonsberg-Stellenbosch)
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39
Q

ZA: Coastal Region accounts for what % of land under vine?

A

45%
But it produces only 25% of ZA wine (lower yields here than elsewhere)

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40
Q

Coastal Region covers various important districts. Name a few

A

Cape Town
Darling
Franschhoek Valley
Paarl
Stellenbosch
Swartland

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41
Q

Cape Town District replaced what previous District?

A

Cape Peninsula

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42
Q

Cape Town (District) contains wards including ___ and ___

A

Constantia
Durbanville

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43
Q

Why was Cape Peninsula (District) renamed Cape Town?

A

Make connection between vineyard area and tourist destination of Cape Town

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44
Q

What is Vin de Constance?

A

Dried Muscat dessert wine from Klein Constantia

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45
Q

Topography of Constantia (Ward)

A

East-facing slopes of Constantiaberg
(extends south from Table mountain)

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46
Q

Constantia (Ward) is 10km from False Bay. So what?

A

The bay brings cooling sea breezes

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47
Q

Constantia (Ward) has low vigour granite soils above a layer of sandstone. So what?

A

Good drainage!

48
Q

Significant producers in Constantia

A

Klein Constantia
Constantia Glen
Steenberg

49
Q

Which ward contains the northern suburbs of Cape Town?

A

Durbanville

50
Q

Rainfall is lower in Durbanville than Constantia. Why?

A

Protection of the Tygerberg hills

51
Q

Most planted variety in Durbanville?

A

Sauvignon Blanc
Mostly on cooler exposed sites
=> greener end fo flavour spectrum

52
Q

Significant producers in Durbanville?

A

Bloemendal
Diemersdal

53
Q

South Africa’s oldest wine region?

A

Constantia

54
Q

Account for quality in Stellenbosch (District)?

A

Cooler mountain slopes
Varied soil types
Breezes off False Bay moderate summer temperatures

55
Q

Stellenbosch known for what kind of wines?

A

Outstanding CAbernet Sauvignon (and Cab-based blends)
Shiraz
Chenin Blanc

56
Q

Significant producers in Stellenbosch?

A

Rust en Vrede
Raats Family Wines

57
Q

Kanonkop and Rustenberg are producers in what ward?

A

Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

58
Q

Paarl (District) can produce a wide range of grapes and styles. Why?

A

Warmer than eg Stellenbosch
Many mesoclimates, soils and aspects
Berg River gives irrigation water

59
Q

Two wards that are on Simonsberg?

A

Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Simonsberg-Paarl (on warmer side)

60
Q

Simonsberg-Paarl known for what wines?

A

Chardonnay (fresh, intense)
Shiraz
Red blends

61
Q

Significant producers in Simonsberg-Paarl ward?

A

Glen Carlou
Plaisir de Merle

62
Q

Franschoek Valley gets 800mm but needs irrigation. Why?

A

Soils are fast draining

63
Q

Significant producers in Franschoek Valley?

A

Boekenhoutskloof (Chocolate Block etc)
Cape Chamonix

64
Q

Where is Franschoek Valley?

A

South-east of Paarl
Wrapped on three sides by mountains

65
Q

Acclaimed ward within Darling (District)?

A

Groenekloof

66
Q

Darling (district) contains a range of hills parrell to West Coast. So what?

A

Many different aspecst
Ocean breezes

67
Q

Darling district has weathered granite soils. So what?

A

Higher water holding capacity than other areas
=> dry farming and bush vines common

68
Q

Significant producers in Darling

A

Neil Ellis (actually Stellenbosch but buys Darling grapes)
Groote Post

69
Q

Swartland climate

A

Warm and dry
Only 500mm rain but a lot of it during growing season

70
Q

Swartland is warm and dry. So what?

A

Requires irrigation (for higher yields) or old vines (for lower yields)

71
Q

Where is Paardeberg located?

A

Part of Swartland district

72
Q

What are the two different sectors in Swartland?

A
  1. old busineses, often co-ops. good to v good. inexpensive, mid-priced. eg Perdeberg Wines, Riebeek Cellars
  2. new talent since 2000. Charles Back/Spice Route, Eben Sadie, Chris and Andrea Mullineux
    (low yields, dry farm, organic, old vine, ambient yeast etc). outstanding quality, premium and super premium price
73
Q

What do the likes of Eben Sadie and Mullineux etc have in common in their approach? (Swartland)

A

Low yields
Dry farming
Organic and/or biodynamic
Old vines
Ambient yeasts
etc

74
Q

Saronberg is a significant producer in which ZA district?

A

Tulbagh

75
Q

Describe Tulbagh district?

A

Very warm, dry, sheltered valley surrounded by a horseshoe-shaped mountain range

76
Q

Wellington district building a reputation for what kind of wines?

A

Shiraz
Powerful red blends

77
Q

Wellington district known for what kind of agricultural business?

A

Vine nurseries!
provide 85% of ZA wine industry with cuttings

78
Q

Which ZA region provides the most wine?

A

Breede River Valley Region
Huge amount of grapes for both wine and distillation
also high quality estates

79
Q

Breedekloof district is part of what region?

A

Breede River Valley Region

80
Q

Stellenbosch, Swartland and Paarl are part of what region?

A

Coastal Region

81
Q

Important districts in Coastal Region?

A

Cape Town
Stellenbosch
Paarl
Francshoek Valley
Darling
Swartland
Tulbagh
Wellington

82
Q

Breedekloof District (Breede River Valley Region) has adequate rainfall. So what?

A

No need to irrigate (vs Worcester and Roberston)
winter and spring snow => delay budburst (otherwise spring frost)

83
Q

Worcester district (Breede River Valley region) known for what kind of production?

A

High volume, distillation
Colombard and Chenin

84
Q

Historically Robertson dsitrict was known for what?

A

Grapes for the brandy industry (high yields, fertile growing conditions)

85
Q

There is some limestone in Robertson district. So what?

A

Unusual for ZA
Chardonnay grows well (still and sparkling)
Graham Beck is here (Cap Classique)
Chardonnay pioneer: De Wetshof

86
Q

Who/waht is De Wetshof?

A

Chardonnay pioneer in Roberton district (Breede River Valley Region)

87
Q

Cliamte in Olifants River Region

A

very dry, warm
200mmm rain in parts

88
Q

Namaqua Wines operates in what ZA region?

A

Olifants River
Large company successull in ZA and Uk for inexpensive wine

89
Q

Some quality parts of Olifants River Region?

A

Districts:
Citrusdal Mountain
Lutzville Valley

Wards:
Bamboes Bay
Piekenierskloof

90
Q

Cape South Coast Region is suitable for Sauv Blanc, Chard and Pinot. Why?

A

Strong cooling influence from Atalnic

91
Q

Where is Walker Bay district located?

A

Cape South Coast Region

92
Q

Pioneering producer in Walker Bay?

A

Tim Hamilton-Russell (1975 onwards)

93
Q

Three wards related to Hemel-en-Aarde

A

Hemel-en-Arde Valley
Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge

94
Q

What is Hemel-en-Aarde?

A

Collective name for three wards in Cape South Coast Region
Seaside town of Hermanus

95
Q

Impact of the sea on Hemel-en-Aarde?

A

Cooling winds reduce risk of over-ripening, reduce vigour

96
Q

Quite a bit of clay in soil in Hemel-en-Aarde. So what?

A

Improve water-holding capacity

97
Q

Lowest altitude of the three wards in Hemel-en-Aarde?

A

Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

98
Q

Which Hemel-en-Aarde ward is located deepest inland?

A

Hemel-en-Aarde ridge

99
Q

Effect of the Bablyonstoren Mountains on Hemel-en-Aarde?

A

Cloud trap!
Collecting moisture, providing regular shade

100
Q

Significant producers in Hemel-en-Aarde

A

Hamilton-Russel
Bouchard Finlayson
Newton Johnson Family Vineyards
Creation

101
Q

What is Bot River?

A

A ward in Cape South Coast Region

102
Q

Significant producer in Bot River ward

A

Beaumont

103
Q

Where is Elgin district?

A

Cape South Coast Region
70km south-east of Cape Town

104
Q

Climate of Elgin district?

A

Much cooler than rest of ZA
3/4s the heat summation days of Stellenbosch

105
Q

Account for lower temperatures in Elgin (vs rest of ZA)

A

Altitude (200-400m)
cloud cover
cooling influence of ocean

106
Q

Elgin district has lower temperatures than other parts of ZA. So what?

A

Slow growing season
Fruit has more elegance and higher acidity

107
Q

Significant producers in Elgin district?

A

Paul Cluver
Richard Kershaw (super-premium Chardonnay)

108
Q

Where is Klein Karoo Region? What is it known for?

A

Semi-arid region 4 hours east of Cape Town
Port-style wines from Portuguese varieties (Calitzdorp district)
Fortified Muscat
Chenin and Colombard for brandy

109
Q

South Africa: what is BWI?

A

Biodiversity and Wine Initiative
Now called WWF-SA Conservation Champion Programme

biodviersity

110
Q

South Africa accounts for what % of Fairtrade wine sales?

A

2/3s
biggest Fairtrade producer in the world

111
Q

KWV story from 1990s on

A

1992: start to repeal its rights
1997: reorganised into a private company

112
Q

What could KWV do at the height of its powers?

A

Fix prices of distilling and beverage wine;
Approve all wine purchases between producers and merchants (producers couldn’t sell direct)
Set quotas for planting and production
Control vine cuttings (import, propagation and distribution)

113
Q

How is Wines of South Africa (WOSA) funded?

A

Mainly by export levies

114
Q

Who dominates sales in ZA?

A

Distell group
40% of volume sold

115
Q

Key export markets for ZA?

A

UK (about 25% of exports - was higher before)
Germany

116
Q

Problem(s) with bulk wine exports for ZA?

A

Price has increased a bit but still inexpensive
Growers receive lower prices
Jobs lost (and not created) in finishing and packaging (done overseas in eg UK)