South Africa Fundamentals

Question 1

Wine has been made in South Africa for roughly how many years?

Answer 1

350 years

Question 2

Grapes were first pressed in South Africa in what year?

Answer 2

1659

Question 3

South African vineyards benefit from what type of climate?

Answer 3

Mediterranean

Question 4

In which year was Africa’s Wine of Origin legislation established?

Answer 4

1972

Question 5

Four types of wine production zones are classified in South Africa by the Wine of Origin legislation - what are they?

Answer 5

Geographical Unit, Region, District and Ward

Question 6

In 1685 Simon van der Stel established which legendary wine estate outside Cape Town?

Answer 6

Constantia

Question 7

Which production zone is bigger in South Africa, a ward or a district?

Answer 7

A district

Question 8

The foundation KMV was established in 1918, and was until 1998, legally empowered to determine production areas and quotas and to set minimum prices - what does KWV stand for?

Answer 8

Co-operative Wine Grower’s Association

Question 9

Over 90% of the wine made in South Africa comes from which geographical unit?

Answer 9

Western Cape

Question 10

The Phylloxera epidemic that occurred in South Africa in 1886 resulted in the replanting of how many million vines?

Answer 10

Roughly 80 million vines

Question 11

How many hectares of vines are planted in South Africa?

Answer 11

Around 110,000ha (271,000 acres)

Question 12

The majority of the world’s plantings of Pinotage are in South Africa - what two grapes comprise this “crossed” variety?

Answer 12

Pinot Noir and Cinsault

Question 13

What position does South Africa have on the top 10 list of largest wine producing countries in the world?

Answer 13

7th

Question 14

The Nederburg Auction of South Africa’s icon wine producers celebrated which anniversary in 2016?

Answer 14

40th

Question 15

There are six geographical units in South Africa - Western Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Limpopo and which other?

Answer 15

Northern Cape

Question 16

Which grape has its own dedicated association and what is it called?

Answer 16

The Chenin Blanc Association (CBA)

Question 17

What is the name of the Antarctic ocean current that cools South Africa’s Cape vineyards?

Answer 17

Benguela

Question 18

Is the ‘Cape Doctor’ a term for a Western Cape vineyard expert or a strong wind current?

Answer 18

A strong wind current which brings gale force winds to the wine regions in the Cape

Question 19

Is South Africa considered an Old World or a New World wine region?

Answer 19

New World - despite a long history of wine making which means some consider it old world

Question 20

Does the Wine of Origin legislation cover regulations for permitted grape varieties, trellising methods, irrigation and crop yields?

Answer 20

No

Question 21

What percentage of the world’s vineyards are located in South Africa?

Answer 21

1.70%

Question 22

South Africa produces what percentage of the world’s wine?

Answer 22

3.90%

Question 23

Not all harvested grapes are used to make wine in South Africa - some are used for distilling wine, grape juice concentrate and which other alcohol product?

Answer 23

Brandy

Question 24

A South African wine labelled ‘single vineyard’ must come from a defined area of less than how many hectares?

Answer 24

5