31 - Australia Flashcards
Describe the climatic conditions of Australia.
- 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
What are the main climatic challenges in Australia? (5)
- 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
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
- Latitude
- Rainshadows MD protected from tropical storms by GDR, Hunter Valley to east of GDR so not protected
- 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)
+ Min disease
+ Plenty sun
+ Consistent warmth
- Lack of water → irrigation → limited water
- Excessive heat + sunshine → excessive ripeness
- Managing vigour due to heat
Where is water for irrigation sourced? (3)
- Rivers → can run low
- Stored rainwater
- Unground water sources
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 + 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?
difficult for vine to get water → slow growth, death
Chard 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?
Victoria + New South Wales
Grafting used as insurance against future outbreaks, to improve drought + 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 –> 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
What kind of grapes are gaining popularity and why?
Grapes suited to warm, dry climates e.g. Tempranillo, Sangiovese, Fiano and Assyrtiko esp. where access to irrigation may be limited
Describe some techniques that Australian winemakers have been experimenting with?
- Site selection - cooler sites
- Vineyard management
- Precise harvesting dates
- Ambient yeast
- Lees contact
- High % of solids in fermentation
- Whole bunch and stems for reds
Outline the range of styles produced from Shiraz including where these styles may be produced.(4)
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
Identify one key difference between premium and inexpensive Shiraz-Viognier blends.
Prem may be co-fermented to improve integration + complexity → helps colour stability
Inexp may be blended post-ferm
Describe the typical style of Cabernet Sauvignon produced and which regions are well-known for it.
- 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
Describe the style produced by Merlot, Pinot Noir and Grenache.
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
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?
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
How does Sauvignon Blanc in Australia differ from Marlborough in New Zealand?
Which regions have a particular reputation for it?
Less herbaceous
Adelaide Hills HQ with intense citrus, tropical fruit
Margaret River Bdx blends
What styles of wine can be made from Pinot Grigio?
Early harvested neutral style akin to Veneto
Riper, spicy, full-bodied style akin to Alsace
What styles of wine are produced using Semillon? Which regions make these? (3)
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
Where are the best Riesling produced? In what style?
What kind of juice is popular for premium Riesling?
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)
Where are Muscat Gordo Blanco (Muscat of Alexandria) and Colombard grown in Australia. What are they used for?
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
Outline the hierarchy of Australia’s GIs.
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
How does Australia’s system of GIs give producers flexibility?
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)
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?
85%
None.
Describe the situation, climate, soils and wines labelled as SEA zone
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
Why is irrigation necessary in the Murray-Darling Basin? How is it performed?
- Low rainfall
- High evapotranspiration - due to hot climate
- 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
Describe the conditions which make it possible for Riverina to produce HQ, botrytised wine.
Closer to coast - autumn has rainfall and humidity w/ morning mists and afternoon sun
To what extent does the Murray-Darling trio dominate wine production?
Combines 3 largest regions by hec + crop
How do SEA producers introduce freshness into their wines?
May blend small amounts of non M-D wines from cooler, coastal regions
What has happened to the number of branded wineries over the past 10 years?
Fallen
