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WSET 3 - Fall 2023 > South Africa > Flashcards

South Africa Flashcards

1
Q

The majority of South Africa’s vine growing regions lies between which 2 latitudes?

A

32° - 35° south of the Equator

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2
Q

What is the climate of south Africa?

A

Hot climate

But many vineyards are subject to cooling influences

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3
Q

What are the cooling influences in South Africa?

A

Cold Benguela Current flows up the west coast cooling coastal areas

regular strong south-easterly summer winds called Cape Doctor. Bring air cooled by the ocean further inland and reduce temperature

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4
Q

South Africa has several mountain ranges that run throughout the wine regions.

What are the mountains’ effects on viticulture?

A

different altitudes
different aspects
different site climates
different soils
valley floor warmer
rugged terrain can cast shadows over vineyards, creating cooler spots and near coast, channel the winds through the vineyards

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5
Q

What is the most widely planted grape, of either color, in South Africa?

A

Chenin Blanc

South African wine regions have taken so well to Chenin Blanc that it is now more widely planted in South Africa than it is in France.

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6
Q

What is the most planted red/black grape variety in South Africa?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon

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7
Q

What grape variety, rarely seen outside of South Africa, has become a flagship for South Africa?

A

Pinotage

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8
Q

What are the parent grapes for Pinotage?

A

Pinot Noir and Cinsault

Cinsault was formerly known as Hermitage, especially in South Africa. The name ‘Pinotage’ is a combination of ‘Pinot’ and ‘Hermitage.’

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9
Q

What are the black grape varieties grown in South Africa

A

Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Syrah
Pinot noir
Pinotage

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10
Q

What are the white grape varieties grown in South Africa

A

Chenin blanc
Sauvignon blanc
Chardonnay

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11
Q

Describe the characteristics of black grape varieties in South Africa

A

Cabernet sauvignon
- Varietal wines or blend

Merlot
- full bodied, plummy wines

Syrah
- full bodied, ripe, balck fruit and earthy/meaty characters in warm climate
- Less bodied peppery examples in cool areas

Pinot noir
- small amount in coastal areas, matured in oak with toasty aromas

Pinotage
- Range of style
- Blended with international varieties for Cape Blend

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12
Q

Describe the winemaking techniques used for Pinotage

A

light fruit style with red berry flavours,
Full bodied with spiced berry fruit

when fermented and stored with heavily toasted oak staves - aromas of cofee or chocolate

Premium have subtle oak aromas

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13
Q

Describe the characteristics of white grape varieties in South Africa

A

Chenin blanc
- variety of styles
- Simple or complex from old bush vines and oak

Sauvignon Blanc
- Herbaceous character
- pure flavours, sometimes pick early in warm climate

Chardonnay
- Exptional quality in cooler sites
- Barrell fermentation and lees stirring for premium wines

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14
Q

What is Hanepoot?

What is it used for?

A

A
The South African name for Muscat of Alexandria.

Used for late-harvest sweet wines.

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15
Q

what other white grape varieties are planted in south Africa?

A

Viognier,marsanne roussanne, grenache blanc

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16
Q

On what is based the south africas GI system ?

A

on the Wine of Origin shceme (W.O.) which carry a certification seal on every bottle

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17
Q

Explain the concept of Estate wine in south africa

A

Wine must come from a single estate and all grapes must come from estate vineyards that cover a single geographical area
Estate must have cailities on their land to process grapes including bottling
Can release as Estate wines and W.O.

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18
Q

What is the labelling term for Sustainable winemaking in South Africa ?

A

integrated Production of Wine (IPW)
you could display the credential as part of the W.O. seal

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19
Q

What is the general wine law in South Africa ?

A

Recognizes 4 sizes of production area
1. Geographical unit, blend from regional and district allowed (only one of importance is Western Cape)
2. Western cape is divided into regions. They are large areas that tend to follow dominant geological Featrues (ex. Coastal Region Breede River Valley and Cape south Coast)
3. These regions are split into districts and thenwards

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20
Q

The Western Cape accounts for what percentage of the South African wine market?

A

Over 90%

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21
Q

Outside of the Western Cape, where is the majority of South African wines made?

A

Orange River, an independent ward in the Northern Cape Geographical Area.

Mostly for inexpensive whites, not one xport markets

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22
Q

What District has long been the heart of production for fine wine in South Africa?

A

Stellenbosch

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23
Q

What geographic features contribute to the success of Stellenbosch’s fine wine production?

A

Stellenbosch’s unique combination of varying elevations, aspect/vineyard placement, soil composition, and geological history all create a unique terroir for its wine production.

It’s because of this diversity that Stellenbosch district has so many wards.

24
Q

What is the climate of Stellenbosch

A

Climate is moderate to warm
sufficient rainfall and summer are rarely too hot
Cool winds from false bay are funnelled by the mountains into the valley

25
Q

Stellenbosch is known for producing red wines from which grape varieties?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (the latter two used to make Bordeaux blends).
Syrah

Cape red blends are often made using these grapes.

26
Q

Q
Stellenbosch successfully produces white wines from what grape varieties?

A

Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc

27
Q

Q
What large, important district of South Africa is located north of Stellenbosch?

A

Paarl

28
Q

What is the climate of Paarl

A

Less exposed to cooling incluences, being ruther intlan, hotter in the summer bu moderated by cooler night time
Moutainous ferrain offers a variety of aspects/soils.

29
Q

The Paarl region makes red wines from what grape varieties?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Pinotage

30
Q

Paarl is known for its white wines made from which grape varieties?

A

Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay

31
Q

Paarl tends to be warmer or cooler than Stellenbosch?

Why?

A

Warmer
Further inland
Fewer effects from oceanic influence

32
Q

What are thebest known wards of Cape Town District ?

A
  • Constantia
  • Durbanville
33
Q

he Cape Doctor constantly cools the vineyards of which ward?

A

Constantia

34
Q

Which Ward in the Western Cape has some of the region’s oldest vines?

A

Constantia

35
Q

Constantia’s oldest vines are situated on the east side of what mountain?

A

Table Mountain

36
Q

Constantia is known for producing very good still white table wines from which grape variety?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

37
Q

The cooler sites of Constantia specialize in which grape varieties?

A

White grape varieties, especially Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.

38
Q

The warmer sites in Constantia are planted to what grape varieties?

A

Red/black grapes, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.

39
Q

Constantia’s famous dessert wine, Vin de Constance, is made from what grape variety?

A

Late harvest Muscat

40
Q

The Cape Doctor constantly cools the vineyards of which ward?

A

Constantia

41
Q

Where is Durbanville Located and what grape variety is grown ?

A

hills sites north of Cape town
Reputation for Sauvignon Blanc

42
Q

33
Q
Which district in South Africa used to be viewed just as a place that made bulk wines but in recent years has changed its image to become a more quality-centered wine region, especially for its white blends?

A

Swartland

43
Q

Swartland has built its new reputation based on which grape varieties?

A

Old vine Chenin Blanc and Syrah

44
Q

Swartland’s best vineyards are known for practicing what viticultural technique?

A

Dry farming (no irrigation)

45
Q

Thanks to the Atlantic Ocean’s cool breezes, the Darling district has become successful in growing which grape variety?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

46
Q

Which South African ward north of Cape Town is known for its hillsides, cooling sea breezes, and Sauvignon Blanc?

A

Durbanville ward

47
Q

What is the climate of Breed River Valley Worcester district ?

A

Hot and dry climate
irrigation is essential

48
Q

Which district in Breede River Valley is known for growing grapes destined for distillation?

Which grapes here are used for distillation?

A

District: Worcester

Grapes: Chenin Blanc and Colombard

Good source of well-made red and whites for high volume branded wines as well

49
Q

What are the 2 important district of Breede River Valley?

A

Worcester
Robertson

50
Q

How does the climate of the Robertson district compare to that of the Worcester district?

A

Robertson is slightly cooler because it receives southeasterly winds, and because of this it is emerging as a higher quality wine growing area.

51
Q

Robertson district is known for producing quality wines from which grape varieties?

A

Syrah and Chardonnay

52
Q

What are the important districts and wards of Cape South Coast ?

A

**Walker bay **district containing various wards of Hemel-en-Aarde

Elgin District

Elim ward

53
Q

Hemel-en-Aarde Ward has built a reputation as being a producer of some of South Africa’s finest wines made from _______ and _______.

A

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

54
Q

What is the climate of Cape South Coast

A

Relatively cool

55
Q

Elim is gaining a reputation for crafting which two grape varieties?

A

Flinty, pungent Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah (sometimes labeled as Shiraz).

56
Q

What grapes perform best in the Elgin District?

A

Due to altitude, produces fresh sauvignon blanc,
high quality pino noir, chardonnay and Syrah

57
Q

Which ward of South Africa is located at the southern tip of the Western Cape?

A

Elim ward, which is in Cape Agulhas district

WSET 3 - Fall 2023 (42 decks)

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