Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

1)WSET D3 copy+edit > 31 - Australia > Flashcards

31 - Australia Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
WSET ® Level 1 Spirits flashcards WSET ® Level 3 Spirits flashcards WSET ® Level 2 Wine flashcards WSET ® Level 1 Wine flashcards WSET ® Level 3 Wine flashcards WSET ® Level 2 Spirits flashcards WSET® Level 4 Wine flashcards
1
Q

Describe the climatic conditions of Australia.

A
  • Intense sunlight → low latitude
  • Low rainfall

Varied climate depending on:

a) exposure to ocean

  • → Indian + Southern Ocean
  • flat topography allows breezes to penetrate far inland e.g. Coonawarra
  • some protected by mountain ranges e.g. Murray-Darling

b) altitude

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the main climatic challenges in Australia? (5)

A
  • Drought low rainfall + high evapo → irrigation necessary but water scarce
  • Spring frost in cooler areas
  • Sunburn due to low latitudes
  • Forest/bush fires
  • Soil salinity due to lack of rainfall
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Outline the reasons for the difference in the climatic conditions between the Hunter Valley, Riverland and Tasmania. (3)

A
  • Hunter Valley hot, humid
  • Murray-Darling hot, continental, dry
  • Tasmania cool, maritime
  1. Latitude
  2. Rainshadows MD protected from tropical storms by GDR, Hunter Valley to east of GDR so not protected
  3. Continenality Tasmania exposed to cold Southern Ocean, MD protected by GDR and location inland
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of Australia’s climate for viticulture? (6)

A

+ Min disease

+ Plenty sun

+ Consistent warmth

  • Lack of water → irrigation → limited water
  • Excessive heat + sunshine → excessive ripeness
  • Managing vigour due to heat
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Where is water for irrigation sourced? (3)

A
  1. Rivers → can run low
  2. Stored rainwater
  3. Unground water sources
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Due to plentiful warmth and sunlight as well as fertile soil, irrigated vines can be vigorous. How is this commonly managed? (2)

A
  1. Divided canopy systems e.g. Scott-Henry
  2. Old vines esp. of Shiraz + Grenache
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Why is much Australian viticulture mechanised?

A
  1. Many regions are flat e.g. Murray-Darling
  2. High labour costs
  3. Many vineyards far from towns and cities - limited labour availability e.g. Murray-Darling
  4. Night harvesting important in hot climates as grapes ripen quickly
  5. Improvements mean machine harvesters can limit grape splitting
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the impact of soil salinity and how can it be managed?

A

difficult for vine to get water → slow growth, death

Chard esp. sensitive

  1. Suitable rootstocks
  2. Changing irrigation patterns → supply more water, less frequently
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Which areas of Australia have phylloxera? Why do growers graft their vines in non-phylloxera zones?

A

Victoria + New South Wales

Grafting used as insurance against future outbreaks, to improve drought + salinity tolerance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Which regions of Australia have unusually high levels of humidity? (4)

A
  • Adelaide Hills
  • southern Victoria
  • Hunter Valley
  • parts of Tasmania

All are exposed to ocean influence

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Roughly what % of production is certified sustainable?

A

25% by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the two main natural pests?

How is each dealt with?

A

Birds –> netting

Kangaroos –> nothing to be done

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Why might whole bunch harvesting be especially desirable?

A

Limits grape splitting - slows oxidation in hot conditions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Name the top 11 most planted grape varieties (4 red, 7 white).

Why is Austalia able to ripen such a wide variety of grapes?

A

Diversity of climates

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What kind of grapes are gaining popularity and why?

A

Grapes suited to warm, dry climates e.g. Tempranillo, Sangiovese, Fiano and Assyrtiko esp. where access to irrigation may be limited

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Describe some techniques that Australian winemakers have been experimenting with?

A
  1. Site selection - cooler sites
  2. Vineyard management
  3. Precise harvesting dates
  4. Ambient yeast
  5. Lees contact
  6. High % of solids in fermentation
  7. Whole bunch and stems for reds
17
Q

Outline the range of styles produced from Shiraz including where these styles may be produced.(4)

A

1. Warm, ripe → Barossa + McLaren Vale

  • Full-bodied
  • high abv
  • high/soft tannin
  • pronounced dark fruit, spice + earthy + leather

2. Cooler, fresher → Yarra Valley + Grampians

  • Less bodied
  • med abv, red + black fruit, black pepper
  • Trend is toward this style - less extraction, wholebunch, less new oak

3. multi-regional blends of both

4. Blended→ GSM, Viognier, CS

18
Q

Identify one key difference between premium and inexpensive Shiraz-Viognier blends.

A

Prem may be co-fermented to improve integration + complexity → helps colour stability

Inexp may be blended post-ferm

19
Q

Describe the typical style of Cabernet Sauvignon produced and which regions are well-known for it.

A
  • cool → warm climate
  • all have higher acid / tannins than Shiraz
  • Ripe blackcurrant + cherry + oak for mid-priced wines
  • Coonawarra distinctively minty
  • Margaret River often blended with Merlot, riper with subtler herbal notes
20
Q

Describe the style produced by Merlot, Pinot Noir and Grenache.

A

Merlot often blended with Cab

PN oak aging; whole bunch, stem inclusion → popular

Grenache

  • GSM blends
  • varietal → popular
  • modern styles having more acid, lowering abv, fresher fruit from early harvest
  • wholebunch to enhance aromas
  • stem inclusion to enhance tannins
  • large, old oak is common
21
Q

How has Chardonnay changed in style in the last few decades?

What determines whether or not it goes through malo?

What may Chardonnay be blended with?

A

Ripe fruit, overt oak → earlier harvest, leaner style with less obvious oak

HQ → ripe fruit, med(+) acid + integrated oak

Warmth of vineyard - may be blocked to retain acid

Inexp→ blended with Semillon - Chard contributed ripe fruit to a Semillon’s restrained character

22
Q

How does Sauvignon Blanc in Australia differ from Marlborough in New Zealand?

Which regions have a particular reputation for it?

A

Less herbaceous

Adelaide Hills HQ with intense citrus, tropical fruit

Margaret River Bdx blends

23
Q

What styles of wine can be made from Pinot Grigio?

A

Early harvested neutral style akin to Veneto

Riper, spicy, full-bodied style akin to Alsace

24
Q

What styles of wine are produced using Semillon? Which regions make these? (3)

A

Hunter Valley style high acid, low abv, unoaked neutral → aromatic when aged

Barossa Valley fuller-bodied with higher ABV + oak

Noble-rot sweet with from Riverina

25
Q

Where are the best Riesling produced? In what style?

What kind of juice is popular for premium Riesling?

A

Cooler regions of Clare and Eden Valley as well as Great Southern, Canberra, Tasmania

Bone dry with high acid some late-harvested, sweeter styles

Prem → free-run juice → highest in acid + sugar, low phenolic compounds → purest, best balance (although producers using skin contact and lees for texture)

26
Q

Where are Muscat Gordo Blanco (Muscat of Alexandria) and Colombard grown in Australia. What are they used for?

A

Hot, inland areas like Riverland, Murray-Darling and Riverina

Colombard is used to bulk up blends labelled as Chard

Muscat used as blending partner and in sparkling Moscato wines

27
Q

Outline the hierarchy of Australia’s GIs.

A

Zones large areas that cover entire states (Victoria) or encompass several (SEA) some smaller zones also exist (Barossa)

Regions various sizes but have consistent and distinct qualities e.g. Connawarra, Tasmania

Sub-regions rarer GI accounting for differences in climate, soil and topography including within Great Southern, Hunter Valley

28
Q

How does Australia’s system of GIs give producers flexibility?

A

Can apply various labels to same/similar wines esp. when grapes come from different areas

E.g. wine from Eden Valley Grapes can be labelled as Eden Valley (region), Barossa (zone), Adelaide (super-zone), South Australia (zone) or South Eastern Australia (zone)

29
Q

What % of grapes must conform if GI, vintage or variety is mentioned on the label?

Are there any other rules outline by GIs on viti or vini?

A

85%

None.

30
Q

Describe the situation, climate, soils and wines labelled as SEA zone

A

Situation

  • very large
  • 3 states
  • most production come from Riverina, Murray-Darling and Riverland = Murray-Darling basin

Climate

  • hot + continental due to low altitude + lack of maritime influence (GDR)
  • dry, low rainfall

N.B. Riverland is cooler, despite being 200km from coast, flat land allows martime breeze to reach it

Soils sandy

Wines:

Inexp: majority Shiraz, Chard + Semillon w/ low acid, high alc, ripe fruit

Yellow Tail, Jacob’s Creek, Lindeman’s

HQ: emerging esp. from old vines + hot-climate varieties e.g. Viognier, Vermentino, Nero d’Avola; botrytised Semillon in Riverina

31
Q

Why is irrigation necessary in the Murray-Darling Basin? How is it performed?

A
  1. Low rainfall
  2. High evapotranspiration - due to hot climate
  3. Free draining, sandy soil

Water from rivers low water levels during droughts means drip irrigation is common

Despite this, high water prices have pushed some growers out of business

32
Q

Describe the conditions which make it possible for Riverina to produce HQ, botrytised wine.

A

Closer to coast - autumn has rainfall and humidity w/ morning mists and afternoon sun

33
Q

To what extent does the Murray-Darling trio dominate wine production?

A

Combines 3 largest regions by hec + crop

34
Q

How do SEA producers introduce freshness into their wines?

A

May blend small amounts of non M-D wines from cooler, coastal regions

35
Q

What has happened to the number of branded wineries over the past 10 years?

A

Fallen

1)WSET D3 copy+edit (66 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions