CSW Chapter 19- Africa

Angola

#1 destination for Portugal wine exports

1655, 1659

When were vines first planted in South Africa? When was wine first made?

Franschhoek

Where did the Huguenots settle in the Drakenstein Valley? Translates to French Corner

KWV

In 1918 this Co-op group that produced wine, made brandy, and stabilized grape prices. Also established a quota system hat emphasized quantity over quality

Mediterranean

Climate of South Africa

Benguela Current

Cold ocean current that flows up the western coast from Antarctica helps to generate moist fogs and cooling breezes as well as the Cape Doctor

Cape Doctor

Strong and persistent southeasterly wind that jeeps to dry out the vineyards and minimize the risk of fungal diseases, but can also br strong enough to damage vines

Chenin Blanc

#1 grape of South Africa, aka Steen. 18% of production.

Chenin Blanc and Muscat Blanc a petit grains

2 grapes used to produce late-harvest and botrytis-affected (Noble Late Harvest) dessert wines

Muscat of Alexandria

Aka Hanepoot, used in rich/flowery dessert wines, but also makes complex dry wines

Crouchen Blanc

Aka Cape Riesling

Cab, Syrah, Pinotage

Top 3 red grapes of South Africa

Pinot Noir and Cinsault

Pinotage is a indigenous crossing of which two grapes?

Cape Blend

Contains between 30-70% Pinotage, with the rest being traditional Bordeaux red varieties

Wine of Origin Scheme (WO)

Introduced in 1973, this appellation system of South Africa emphasizes place-of-origin. Units include- geographical units, regions, districts, and wards

South African Wine and Spirit Board

Overseeing board of the WO Scheme. Certifies all wines that list a specific place of origin, grape variety, or vintage date on the label. Compliance earns a white paper seal affixed across the wine capsule. Location but be 100% from that location. Vintage or grape variety has to be 85%.

5%

How much of South Africa’s vineyards lie outside of the Western Cape?

9 districts

How many districts is the Coastal Region of the Western Cape in South Africa divided into?

Stellenbosch District

• district of the Coastal Region

• One of the oldest and most respected winegrowing areas of South Africa

• Cab is #1, followed by Chard, Chenin Blanc, and Sauv Blanc

Paarl District

• district of the Coastal Region

• North of Stellenbosch and warmer

• Home to familiar SA brands with full range of wines

Franschoek Valley District

• district of Coastal Region

• French influence

• Chard, Semillon, Syrah, red Bordeaux varieties

Constantia Ward

• in the Coastal region

• On the peninsula south of Cape Town

• Cool maritime climate with decomposed granite soils

• First planted in the 1600s

• Vin de Constance- muscat based sweet wine of the area

• Home of Groot Constantia and Klein Constantia

Swartland District

• in coastal region

• Rugged area north of Cape Town with Mediterranean climate

• Dry farming and untrellised bush vines

• Rhine varieties and Chenin Blanc

6 districts

How many districts in the Cape South Coast Region?

Walker Bay District

• in Cape South Coast region

• One of the most maritime influenced areas in SA and one of the coolest climates

• Ideal for PN and Chard

Breede River Valley Region

• initially best known for fortified and dessert wines, but recently known for Chard and SB

• Robertson/Valley of Vines and Roses: dramatic change since the 90s, popular Shiraz and Cab

• Worcester: grows 25% of nations wines, lots of table grapes and brandy