South Africa Flashcards
When did South Africa’s wine industry begin? And by whom?
1655, when Jan van Riebeeck of the Dutch East India Company founded Cape town and established its first vineyard.
What is the significance of Governor Simon van der Stel Constantia?
In the 1680’s and 1690’s Constantia’s estate escalloped the modest winemaking tradition of his predecessors, and sweet Vin de Constance became the first New World wine to be coveted throughout Europe. Founded in Cape Town in 1685.
In 1778, who bought Stel’s estate and brought international acclaim to the wines?
In 1778, Groot Constantia, one of the original estates, was sold to Hendrick Cloete, who renovated the property.
What is the KWV? And when was it founded?
The Operatieve Wijnbouwers Vereningin van Zuid-Afrika was formed in 1918, with the support of 90% of South Africa’s growers.
What act formalized the KWV?
The KWV, a coop of wine producers and growers, fixed minimum prices, determined areas of production and established production limits, in 1924 by the Wine and Spirit Control Act.
What were the benefits of the Wine and Spirit Control Act in South Africa?
It pulled the industry back from the brink of disaster but favored large producers and rewarded lower quality.
What is the SAWIT and who benefited from it?
In 1999, the South African wine Industry Trust was established to speed transformation of South Africa’s wine industry and to empower black workers, that long relied on slave- and apartheid-era labor.
Where does South Africa rank in wine production?
Ranked 9th in wine producing countries worldwide.
What does the Wine of Origin (WO) system do?
Introduced in 1973, the WO, compels producers seeking certification to submit a sample of wine for evaluation by a tasting panel, which confirms that the wine shows the correct organleptic qualities for its cultivar(variety) and age. The wine also undergoes scientific analysis.
What percentages of varietals does the WO system call for?
A wine must contain 85% of the stated grape, blends must be a minimum of 20%, and 100% of grapes from stated area.
