Certified Specialist of Wine Study Guide Review

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CertifiedSpecialistofWineStudy Guide Review
South Africa
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South Africa
With a winehistory goingback to 1655,South
Africahas a long andstoried tale to tell.Even
with the long heritage,South Africa
hassuffered a seriesof agricultural and
political challenges that have alternatelybuoyed
and stymiedthe wine industry.
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Geography

• Most vineyards are situated in the Western Cape
  near the coast, although vineyards are also
  grown in the drier northern and eastern
  regions.
• Vineyards are dispersed throughout the Western
  and Northern Cape, 700 km north to south and 500
  km across between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
  
• Impact of the cold Benguela Current and
  Oceanbreezes on coastal regions.
• Inland regions are hot and arid.

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History

• Dutch establish a Cape victualing station for
  Far East Trade
• Planting of oak trees to act as wind break
• Wine potential witnessed through
  Constantiassweet dessert wines rivaling Tokaj
  in 1800s
• Rise of cooperative movement and KWV
  dominatinguntil 1990s, when it was converted
  into a company

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Grape Varieties

• Steen (Chenin Blanc)
• at one time 30 of all acreage in grapes now,
  only 20
• Other important white varieties include
  Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Weisser
  Riesling, Muscat dAlexandria
• Pinotage created in South Africa in 1925
• Cross of Cinsault and Pinot Noir
• Pontac is a teinturier (red-skinned with red
  pulp) with a smoky character used for
  color/blending

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Grape Varieties

• Cabernet Sauvignon now most widely planted red
  (replacing Cinsault)
• Other reds with excellent results include
• Merlot
• Syrah/Shiraz
• Pinot Noir
• What is a Cape Blend?

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Coastal Wine Regions

• Constantia
• A demarcated wine ward in Cape Towns southern
  suburbs
• SAs original wine region
• Rich, fertile zone
• Focus on international varieties
• Durbanville
• just north of Capetown
• Higher elevation
• Extremely cold excellent for Sauvignon Blanc
  Pinot Noir

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Durbanville, Capetown below
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Coastal Wine Regions

• Paarl
• Pearl in Afrikaans
• Warmer, more inland
• Home to KWV
• Boberg Region
• encompasses Berg and Klein Berg Rivers and 4
  districts
• Hot climate moderated by cool ocean breezes

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Coastal Wine Regions

• Stellenbosch
• East of Cape Town
• Potentially SAs most important wine region
• Swartland
• north of Durbanville and Paarl
• Tulbagh
• inland, surrounded by mountains

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South Africa Vineyards
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Wine Regions (continued)

• Olifantsrivier
• mostly for bulk use and export
• Breede River Valley Region
• Worcester
• large region, mostly distilled and fortified
  production
• Robertson
• almost exclusively white grapes grown here
• Klein Karoo
• produces port-style wines and fortified Muscadels

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Wine Regions (continued)

• Overberg District
• Coolest wine region
• Walker Bay- South Africas answer to Burgundy,
  growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
• Elgin- A cool growing area west of Cape Town
  planted primarily to Sauvignon Blanc
• Orange River
• Most northerly of all the regions 12 of the
  crop
• Ruiterbosch
• most southerly wine region fronts to the Indian
  Ocean
• mostly planted to Sauvignon Blanc, Rhine
  Riesling and Pinot Noir

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Wine Laws

• 1973 WO (Wine of Origin) was introduced
• Under this legislation wines may be certified
  for
• Origin Region, District, Ward, or Estate
• Vintage
• Variety
• 75 for vintage or varietal (85 for EU export)

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Wine Laws

• Estate
• the wine must originate and be fermented at a
  registered, demarcated estate
• It does NOT have to be barrel aged or bottled at
  origin
• Wine Spirit Board
• Chemical analysis organoleptic scrutiny for
  certification and white banderole capsule with
  compliance number
• No chaptalization.
• Acidification allowed.
• No yield or irrigation rules.