South Africa

Question 1

Where are most of South Africa’s vineyards found? Why?

Answer 1

Around the coast of the Cape to take advantage of the cooling influence of the Southern Ocean

Question 2

What is the name of the cool, Southern Ocean current that helps cool the south and west coasts of South Africa?

Answer 2

Benguela

Question 3

Other than the Benguela, what helps moderate South Africa’s otherwise hot climate?

Answer 3

the Cape Doctor, cool south-easterly summer winds

Question 4

What is a defining feature of the South African landscape that allows for a wide range of aspects, soils and altitudes? (and thus micro-climates)

Answer 4

Mountain ranges

Question 5

Other than at altitude or near the ocean, where might vineyards be planted to benefit from cooler temperatures?

Answer 5

South-facing slopes

Question 6

What can Mountains nearer the coast aid with in terms of cooling, aside from altitude and south-facing aspects?

Answer 6

Channelling oceanic winds

Question 7

Will shade from nearby mountains give slightly cooler temperatures? When?

Answer 7

Yes

Different points in the day

Question 8

What is Pinotage a cross of?

Answer 8

Pinot Noir and Cinsault

Question 9

Aside from Pinotage, what four black varieties are widely planted?

Answer 9

Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Syrah
Pinot Noir

Question 10

What grapes is Cabernet Sauvignon sometimes blended with in South Africa?

Answer 10

Merlot and Cabernet Franc

Question 11

Where is Pinot Noir almost exclusively found?

Answer 11

Coolest coastal areas

Question 12

Where was Pinotage developed?

Answer 12

South Africa

Question 13

What is a blend of Pinotage and international varieties often called?

Answer 13

Cape Blend

Question 14

What aromas might develop when Pinotage is exposed to heavily toasted oak staves?

Answer 14

Coffee or chocolate

Question 15

What fruit might a light, fruity style of Pinotage exhibit?

Answer 15

Red berry fruit

Question 16

What flavour characters might be seen in a full-bodied Pinotage from old bush vines?

Answer 16

Spiced berry fruit

Question 17

Why might Pinotage be popular with some consumers?

Answer 17

Point of difference/marketing

Question 18

What three white grapes are most prominent in South Africa?

Answer 18

Chenin Blanc
Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc

Question 19

Which is the most planted grape (either colour) in South Africa?

Answer 19

Chenin Blanc

Question 20

Old bush vine Chenin is increasingly being made in a complex and full-textured style. What might add toasty flavours to these wines?

Answer 20

Oak

Question 21

What widely planted grape is used in the production of brandy?

Answer 21

Colombard

Question 22

When must Sauvignon Blanc be picked in hotter regions of South Africa? Why?

Answer 22

Early

To preserve citrus and green apple aromas and high acidity

Question 23

What is a common flavour across almost all South African Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 23

Herbaceousness

Question 24

In what style might some premium Chardonnays be made?

Answer 24

Burgundian style (lees, MLF, oak)

Question 25

What indicates a South African GI wine?

Answer 25

Wine of Origin (W.O.)

Question 26

What can blends made from parcels from various regions within the Western Cape labelled themselves as? Would a premium wine be labelled like this?

Answer 26

Western Cape | Some premium wines are made this way

Question 27

What are three major regions of the Western Cape? What are these regions split into, then into again?

Answer 27

Coastal Region, Breede River Valley and Cape South Coast | Districts then again into Wards

Question 28

What are the 3 bolded districts and 2 bolded wards of the Coastal region?

Answer 28

Stellenbosch, Paarl and Swartland | Constantia and Durbanville

Question 29

Which district has long been the hub of fine wine production in South Africa?

Answer 29

Stellenbosch

Question 30

What is the climate in Stellenbosch?

Answer 30

Warm to moderate

Question 31

What cools Stellenbosch? Is it ever too hot here?

Answer 31

Winds (from false bay) | Rarely too hot

Question 32

Diversity in ..., ... and ... is a defining feature of Stellenbosch

Answer 32

Altitude, aspect and soil type

Question 33

Red wines have become more reputable in recent years in Stellenbosch, in particular? (4)

Answer 33

Cab Sauv and Merlot (often blended) Syrah Cape Blends

Question 34

What high quality white wines are made in Stellenbosch's cooler sites? (2)

Answer 34

Sauvignon Blanc | Chardonnay

Question 35

Which district, also from the coastal region borders Stellenbosch on it's most inland edge? What are daylight and nightime temperatures like here in comparison? Why?

Answer 35

Paarl | Hotter during the day as it's less exposed to cool sea breezes but cooler at night as it's more continental

Question 36

Varying terrain in Paarl is a plus. What red grapes are most significant here? (3)

Answer 36

Cab Sauv, Syrah and Pinotage

Question 37

While a wide variety of grapes are grown here, what white grapes are most planted in Paarl? (2)

Answer 37

Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc

Question 38

Which ward that lies on the eastern flanks of Table Mountain, is home to some of the oldest vineyards in the Western Cape?

Answer 38

Constantia

Question 39

What has the main moderating effect on Constantia?

Answer 39

The Cape Doctor (South- Easterly summer winds)

Question 40

What grape is most reputable in Constantia?

Answer 40

Sauvignon Blanc

Question 41

What is the name of the sweet wine still produced by one estate in Constantia made from late-harvest Muscat?

Answer 41

Vin de Constance

Question 42

What white grape, other than SB, might you find in Constantia, particularly to the south of Table Mountain?

Answer 42

Semillon

Question 43

What two black grapes are planted in the warmer site of Constantia?

Answer 43

Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 44

Which district has shifted from a source of inexpensive grapes to a centre of innovation and premium wine production?

Answer 44

Swartland

Question 45

Old vine ... is what Swartland is particularly recognised for along with high quality ...?

Answer 45

Chenin Blanc | Syrah

Question 46

What agricultural practice is used in Swartland to lower yields and enhance fruit concentration?

Answer 46

Dry Farming

Question 47

What grapes, other than Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc might be used to make a white 'Cape Blend'?

Answer 47

Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenach Blanc and Viognier | Rhone whites

Question 48

A number of premium blends also come out of Swartland, what are they called?

Answer 48

Cape Blends

Question 49

The Darling and Tygerberg districts in the Coastal region are cooled by sea breezes and are known for the production of which grape? What is the significant ward in Tygerberg?

Answer 49

Sauvignon Blanc | Durbanville

Question 50

What is the significant grape in the Durbanville ward?

Answer 50

Sauvignon Blanc

Question 51

What are the two districts in the Breede River Valley?

Answer 51

Worcester | Robertson

Question 52

Which district lies at the western end of the Breede River Valley and is hot and dry? What is essential here?

Answer 52

Worcester | Irrigation (largely pumped from the river)

Question 53

Worcester is a reliable source for high-volume, quality made, branded red and white wine, however, the majority of grapes grown are white, what are they? (2)

Answer 53

Chenin Blanc and Colombard

Question 54

What is Colombard generally used for the production of?

Answer 54

Brandy

Question 55

Which district sits to the East of Worcester and is also part of the Breede River Valley region? How and why does the climate differ?

Answer 55

Robertson | Cooler, as south-easterly winds are drawn into the valley by mountains

Question 56

As a result of the cool breezes and ..., what two grapes can produce some excellent wines in Robertson?

Answer 56

Notable outcrops of less fertile soils Syrah Chardonnay (full-bodied)

Question 57

Coastal region, Breed River Valley region and ...... region?

Answer 57

Cape South Coast

Question 58

What are the two most established districts in the Cape South Coast region?

Answer 58

Walker Bay | Elgin

Question 59

Which group of wards in the Walker Bay district is home to some of South Africas best Chardonnays and Pinot Noir? Why is it cool enough here?

Answer 59

Hemel-en-Aarde | Proximity to the ocean

Question 60

What is an added moderating effect, other than coastal proximity, that cools Elgin? What grape has a particular reputation here?

Answer 60

Altitude | Sauvignon Blanc

Question 61

What ward in the Cape South Coast region, outside the Elgin district is known for quality Sauvignon Blanc and is showing promise with Syrah production?

Answer 61

Elim