31 - Australia Flashcards
Describe the export boom of the 1980s and the subsequent decline.
Describe factors driving both.
Boom
Australia’s wine production boomed –> became world’s 5th largest exporter
- Via varietal labelling and including taste descriptors
- Ripe, approachable styles
Plantings rose from 59,000ha –> 170,000ha in late 2000s
Re-adjustments
Plantings fell from 170,000ha –> 146,000ha
- Global oversupply - many countries copying ripe, accessible style
- Strong Aussie dollar
- Series of droughts increased cost of irrigation
–> outcome is vine pull and refocus on smaller production / higher val bottlings
Describe the climatic conditions of Australia.
Range of climates from cool - hot and Mediterranean - continental depending on:
a) exposure to ocean influence –> Indian and Southern Ocean, flat topography allows breezes to penetrate far inland e.g. Coonawarra; some areas protected by mountain ranges e.g. Murray-Darling
b) altitude e.g. Great Dividing Range from Queensland to western Victoria
Intense sunlight due to low altitudes (30-37 degrees south = southern Europe)
Low rainfall e.g. Riverland 135mm during growing season due to rainshadow of GDR
What are the main climatic challenges in Australia? (5)
Drought very low levels of rainfall + high evapo mean irrigation necessary but water scarce
Spring frost in cooler areas
Sunburn due to low latitudes
Forest/bush fires due to heat and dryness
Soil salinity due to lack of rainfall
Outline the reasons for the difference in the climatic conditions between the Hunter Valley, Riverland and Tasmania. (3)
Hunter Valley hot, humid
Murray-Darling hot, continental, dry
Tasmania cool, maritime
1. Latitude Hunter Valley at low latitude 32S vs. Tasmania at 41S
2. Rainshadows MD largely protected from tropical storms by GDR, Hunter Valley to east of GDR so not protected –> MD gets around 135mm of rain, Hunter Valley gets 500mm
3. Continenality Tasmania exposed to cold Southern Ocean, MD protected by GDR and location inland
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of Australia’s climate for viticulture? (6)
+ Minimal disease pressure
+ Plenty of sunshine
+ Consistent warmth
- Lack of water –> requires irrigation –> limited water supply
- Excessive heat + sunshine –> excessive ripeness
- Managing vigour due to heat (when vines are irrigated)
Where is water for irrigation sourced? (3)
- Rivers e.g. Murray-Darling Basin –> but can run low
- Stored rainwater e.g. regions with some winter rainfall e.g. Adelaide Hills
- Unground water sources e.g. Coonawarra
Due to plentiful warmth and sunlight as well as fertile soil, irrigated vines can be vigorous. How is this commonly managed? (2)
- Divided canopy systems e.g. Scott-Henry
- Old vines esp. of Shiraz and Grenache
Why is much Australian viticulture mechanised?
- Many regions are flat e.g. Murray-Darling
- High labour costs
- Many vineyards far from towns and cities - limited labour availability e.g. Murray-Darling
- Night harvesting important in hot climates as grapes ripen quickly
- Improvements mean machine harvesters can limit grape splitting
What is the impact of soil salinity and how can it be managed?
More difficult for vine to get water –> slow growth, death
Chardonnay esp. sensitive
- Suitable rootstocks
- Changing irrigation patterns –> supply more water, less frequently
Which areas of Australia have phylloxera? Why do growers graft their vines in non-phylloxera zones?
Phylloxera present in Victoria and New South Wales
Grafting used as insurance against future outbreaks, to improve drought and salinity tolerance
Which regions of Australia have unusually high levels of humidity? (4)
Adelaide Hills
southern Victoria
Hunter Valley
parts of Tasmania
All are exposed to ocean influence
Roughly what % of production is certified sustainable?
25% by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia
What are the two main natural pests?
How is each dealt with?
Birds and kangaroos
Birds –> netting
Kangaroos –> nothing to be done
Why might whole bunch harvesting be especially desirable?
Limits grape splitting - slows oxidation in hot conditions
Name the top 11 most planted grape varieties (4 red, 7 white).
Why is Austalia able to ripen such a wide variety of grapes?
Diversity of climates from cool to hot
What kind of grapes are gaining popularity and why?
Grapes suited to warm, dry climates e.g. Tempranillo, Sangiovese, Fiano and Assyrtiko
Better suited to handling warmer, drier conditions esp. where access to irrigation may be limited
Describe the situation, climate, soils and wines of SEA.
Situation very large area including three states, most grapes from Riverina, Murray-Darling and Riverland, an area collectively known as the Murray-Darling basin
Climate hot and continental due to low altitude and lack of maritime influence (GDR) –> also dry with rainfall as low as 135mm
N.B. Riverland is cooler, despite being 200km from coast, flat land allows martime breeze to reach it
Soils sandy
Wines
Inexpensive: vast majority grown from Shiraz, Chardonnay and some Semillon (Riverina) w/ low acid, high alcohol, med body and ripe fruit.
Yellow Tail, Jacob’s Creek, Lindeman’s
HQ: emerging esp. from old vines and hot-climate varieties e.g. Viognier, Vermentino, Nero d’Avola; botrytised Semillon in Riverina
