Episode 1000

Ep. 1000 Map 21 South Africa | Jumbo Shrimp Maps

Jumbo Shrimp Maps

July 14, 2022

30,57291667

Map 21 South Africa

Geography/Maps

africa

south america

tourism

vacation

wine

Episode Summary

Content Analysis Key Themes and Main Ideas 1. The unique geography and climate influencers of South African wine regions. 2. The historical development and regulatory framework (WO system) of the South African wine industry. 3. Key white grape varieties, notably Chenin Blanc (Steen), and their diverse stylistic expressions. 4. Prominent red grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon and the indigenous Pinotage, and their signature blends. 5. Significant wine regions and districts within the Western Cape, highlighting their unique characteristics and specific grape specializations. 6. The production of sparkling wines in South Africa, particularly Method Cap Classique. Summary This episode of the Italian Wine Podcast, featuring Joe Gordon Smith, focuses on South African wine as part of the ""Jumbo Shrimp Wine Study Maps"" series. The discussion begins by situating South Africa at the southern tip of the African continent, emphasizing its natural beauty and the concentration of wine regions within the Western Cape. It delves into the country's winemaking history, dating back to 1654, and the transition from the master cooperative KWV's control to privatization, which significantly improved quality. A key highlight is the climate's moderation by the cool Benguela Current and the strong summer winds known as the Cape Doctor, which funnel through valleys, providing cooling influences. The Wine of Origin (WO) system, established in 1973, is explained, detailing geographical units from the vast Western Cape to smaller wards. The episode covers main white grapes like Chenin Blanc (Steen), produced in various styles from dry to sweet, and Sauvignon Blanc, with premium examples from cooler areas. For red grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon is widely planted, often in Bordeaux-style blends, alongside the significant local crossing, Pinotage, frequently used in ""Cape Blends."" The segment also touches upon premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from cooler coastal districts and the production of Method Cap Classique sparkling wines. The host concludes by promoting South Africa as an ""amazing place to visit and taste"" with a wonderful food and wine offering. Takeaways * South Africa has a long winemaking history, with the first grapes planted in 1654. * The industry was historically controlled by the KWV until 1990, after which quality dramatically improved. * South African wine climates are moderated by the cool Benguela Current and the ""Cape Doctor"" winds. * The Wine of Origin (WO) system (dating from 1973) certifies wines, with bottles bearing a seal. * The Western Cape is the largest geographical unit, producing 90% of South Africa's wine. * Chenin Blanc, locally known as Steen, is the main white grape and is incredibly versatile. * Pinotage, a crossing of Pinot Noir and Cinsault, is a significant local red grape often used in ""Cape Blends."

About This Episode

The Italian wine podcast is introducing new courses and a study guide book to help wine students learn about the fruit and wine regions of South Africa. The podcast is also a great resource for wine students to learn about the geography and culture of the area. The podcast is available on the website and is being promoted by a new member of the team.

Transcript

This episode is brought to you by the Italian wine Academy, teaching WSET levels one, two, and three in English right here in verona, the home of the Italian wine podcast. Want to become part of the international wine sector? Need a worldwide recognized certification. Don't know where to start. You can easily complete our courses while you enjoy the fun and excitement of verona. Make your vacation good value for money by adding a wine certificate to your souvenirs. Visit our website at italian wine academy dot org for more information and sign up today to start your personal adventure in Global Wine Education. Welcome to jumbo shrimp wine study maps. We have specially created this free content for all our listeners who are studying for wine exams. This has been a journey of development since Stevie Kim discovered Rosie Baker's hand drawn maps on Instagram through two years of work by our in house editorial and graphics team, and now the maps are available to purchase in beta form while they undergo the final briefing and editing by our expert advisory board. It's a three layered project because we know everyone learns differently. We now offer the complete box set of thirty nine maps, this series of podcasts with the maps narrated by our crack team of wine educators. And finally, the study guide book, which will be published later this year. Our map project is in no way a substitute for the materials set out by other educational organizations, but we hope all wine students out there will find our map project a new exciting and useful tool for learning. For more information and to buy the maps, please visit our website at mama jumbo shrimp dot com. I'm Joe Gordon Smith. And I'd like to welcome you to the jumbo shrimp wide study maps podcast. Today, I'm going to be looking at South Africa. South Africa is found at the very bottom of the African continent with stunning natural beauty and wine regions found around the tip and coastline of the huge Western Cape geographical unit. The country has a long history in grape growing. The first grapes were planted here as early as sixteen fifty four. Many of the grapes were used for brandy production, and a fair percentage is still distilled. Until nineteen ninety, the KWV, the master cooperative controlled the industry. It is now privatized and quality has improved dramatically. The climate can be really warm, but is moderated by the cool, Bengal current, the comes up from Antarctica and the summer winds known as the Cape Doctor. These winds funnel through the valleys going quite a distance inland, bringing cooling influences and moderating temperatures for the grapes. There are mountain ranges, throughout the wine regions, providing a wider range of aspects and altitudes along with varied soils that provide unique micro climates for grape growing. The WO wine of origin system dates from nineteen seventy three. And all wines are certified and bottles have a seal. The largest geographical unit is the Western Cape, which allows producers to blend across large areas. Then there are regions such as the coastal region, districts, and wards. Ninety percent of wine made in South Africa comes from the Western Cape. Produces can source fruit from outside their own GI, allowing premium blends. The main white grape planted is Shannon Bloch, and known locally as steen. Italian wine podcast brought to you by mama jumbo shrimp. Shannon Blanc is made in various styles from dry to sweet, unoaked, and fresh fruited to barrel fermented complex wines. There are some fantastic old vine Shannon Blanc in Spartan, and the wines coming from this region are making waves. Savignon blog is widely grown with the best coming from the cooler areas such as Durbanville, Elegan, and Elum. Premium chardonnay in the burgundian style is found in the Coastal Walker District along with premium pin and wire, the grapes here are cool by the ocean. In comparison, the Watchester district is hot, dry, and irrigated, and well made high volume brands can be found here. North of Stella Bosch, you'll find Powell, a large district that is further inland. So it's warmer, but with cool nighttime temperatures and a variety of altitudes, aspects, and soils, and a range of grapes grown such as carbonate, cerat, pinitar, Shenobranch, and even chardonnay, Muscat of Alexandria, locally known as Hanput, produces late harvest dessert wines such as the famous van der Constance that Jane Air supposedly said was the cure for a broken heart. The most widely planted red is cabernet sauvignon, which is also blended with merlot and cabernet franc in Bordeaux style blends. Steellenbosch makes some great examples. The locally crossed Pinnitage, which is a crossing of Pinnewa and Sanso, has significant plantings, and it's much loved in South Africa, is often blended with international varieties to make a cape blend. Method Cap classic are wines made in the traditional method from chardonnay and pinot noir, and mainly from southeastern facing hillside or coastal sites. Wines labeled Cap classic may be tank fermented such as sparkling pinotage and don't have the same regulations. South Africa is an amazing place to visit and taste with a wonderful food and wine offering and well worth exploring. Thanks for listening to this episode of Italian wine podcast brought to you by Italian wine Academy. Offering WSET levels one, two, and three in English. Visit our website at Italian wine academy dot org for more information and sign up today to start your personal adventure in global wine education right here in the heart of verona. Remember to subscribe, and like Italian wine podcast and catch us on SoundCloud, Spotify, and wherever you get your pods. You can also find our entire back catalog of episodes at Italianwine podcast dot com, changing. Hi guys. I'm Joy Livingston, and I am the producer of the Italian wine podcast. Thank you for listening. We are the only wine podcast that has been doing a daily show since the pandemic began. This is a labor of love and we are committed to bringing you free content every day. Of course, this takes time and effort not to mention the cost of equipment, production, and editing. We would be grateful for your donations, suggestions, requests, and ideas. For more information on how to get in touch, go to Italian wine podcast dot com.