South African Wines Flashcards
Where are most vineyards planted in South Africa?
Most vineyard areas are planted near coastal areas to take advantage of cooling influences.
What are the names of two sources of cooling?
Benguela Current- flows up from the Antarctic and cools the coastal areas of West South Africa
Cape Doctor - regular strong south-easterly summer winds that help reduce temperatures.
What is the most widely planted black grape variety?
Cabernet Sauvignon - Used both as a varietal wine and in blends.
Describe the style of a SA Merlot wine.
full-bodied, plummy wines
Describe the style of a SA Syrah wine.
Syrah - widely planted.
Hot climates - rich, full-bodied reds that are often high in alcohol and display ripe black fruit flavours with earthy or meaty character.
Cool climates- less full-bodied and peppery
Describe Pinotage?
(Pinot Noir x Cinsault) - developed in South Africa and is made in a range of styles.
Cape Blend - sometimes blended with other international varieties.
Light, fruity style with red berry flavours
Old bush vines may be full-bodied with rich spiced, berry fruit
When fermented and/or stored with heavily toasted oak staves, it can take on intense coffee or chocolate aromas. (very popular)
What is the most planted grape variety of any colour?
Chenin Blanc - most widely planted variety of either colour
Higher quality sweet and dry styles being produced.
Basic level - easy drinking with simple stone fruit flavours
Old bush vines- more concentrated and complex flavours and fuller textures.
Which white variety is used in Brandy production?
Colombard- second most widely planted white variety used in brandy production
Describe a SA Sauvignon Blanc.
Sauvignon Blanc - range of styles but often with an herbaceous character
Best come from cooler regions and display citrus and green fruit flavours
Describe a SA Chardonnay.
Chardonnay - makes exceptional wines, especially in cooler sites. Burgundian techniques such as barrel fermentation and lee-stirring add to the character of many premium examples.
Name and describe the grape responsible for sweet wine.
Muscat of Alexandria (called Hanepoot)- not as widely planted but used to produce late harvest dessert wines when the grapes are left to shrivel on the vines. Noble rot can also be an influence
What are white blends from Swartland made from?
Chenin Blanc and blended with Rhone varieties such as Roussanne, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc and Viognier.
Describe the Stellenbosch district.
A centre of fine wine production Climate - moderate to warm with sufficient rainfall and rarely too hot. Cool winds from False Bay are funnelled by the mountains into the valleys. So successful of an area because of the variety of altitude, aspect and soil types. Top class Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Syrah, and Cape red blends. Cooler sites produce high-quality Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay
Describe the Paarl district.
Large district north of Stellenbosch. Less exposed to the cooling influences of the sea and temperatures tend to be hotter; however, cooler night-time temperatures help moderate the heat.
Range of grape varieties:
Reds: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Pinotage
Whites: Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay
Describe the Constantia ward.
Located on the Cape Peninsula district and has some of the oldest vineyards in the Cape which lie on the eastern side of Table Mountain.
Vineyards are cooled by the Cape Doctor
Known for Sauvignon Blanc
Vin de Constance - sweet wine made from late-harvested Muscat
Vineyards planted south of Table Mountain are also exposed to the cooling ocean influences and are known for producing excellent Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Some Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon is planted on the warmer sites.
