31. Australia Flashcards
What separates the Hunter Valley climatically from all other major wine producing regions?
It is the only major wine-producing region to the east of the Great Dividing Range, receiving more rainfall (500mm) and has a
distinctive hot and humid climate.
Why is Coonawarra considered maritime despite being 100km inland?
Australia is a relatively flat country and often there is little to stop the cooling influence
of the oceans spreading some distance inland
Most of Australia’s vineyards lie between what latitude?
30°-37° (the equivalent of North Africa and
Southern Europe in the Northern Hemisphere)
Tasmania lies are what latitude?
41° and 42°S (corresponding
to Porto and central Italy).
What are three viticultural concerns in Australia?
1) Spring frosts - careful selection of a site that drains its cold air is required to mitigate this risk.
2) Winds blowing in off the ocean can sometimes disrupt fruit set (while reducing frost risk)
3) Drought/fire
What two divided canopy systems have been used and why?
1) Scott-Henry
2) Smart-Dyson
3) To manage vigour and ensure vine balance
Mechanisation is common in most Australian regions. Why might a winegrower harvest by hand? (3)
1) To limit grape splitting and crushing
2) To permit greater selection of fruit during harvesting
3) To maintain whole bunches
Describe the issue of soil salinity and how it impacts the vine
Saline soils can make it more difficult for
the vine to get the water it needs and leads to reduced vine growth and possibly death
What are two options to combat soil salinity?
1) Selecting suitable rootstocks
2) Changing irrigation patterns to supply larger volumes of water at less frequent
intervals
What variety is particularly susceptible to soil salinity?
Chardonnay
Many of Australia’s vineyard areas have low humidity: notable exceptions include what four regions?
1) Adelaide Hills
2) Southern Victoria
3) Hunter Valley
4) Parts of Tasmania
What are the two main pests in Australia?
1) Birds
2) Kangaroos
What two white varieties grown in the hot, inland regions of Riverland, Murray-Darling and Riverina are used as blending components for inexpensive wines?
1) Colombard
2) Muscat Gordo Blanco (Muscat of Alexandria)
What are Australia’s leading five black varieties?
1) Shiraz
2) Cabernet Sauvignon
3) Merlot
4) Pinot Noir
5) Grenache
What are Australia’s leading five white varieties?
1) Chardonnay
2) Sauvignon Blanc
3) Pinot Grigio
4) Semillon
5) Riesling
How many registered regions are there in Australia?
63
How many registered sub-regions are there?
14
What benefit is there from a labelling perspective to Australia’s regional hierarchy?
It gives producers a range of labelling options.
For example, wine made using grapes grown in the Eden Valley Region could be labelled as Eden Valley, Barossa, Adelaide, South Australia or South Eastern Australia.
Under the LIP, if a GI, vintage or grape variety is mentioned on the label, what per cent of the grapes must conform?
85%
Why was the South Eastern Australia Zone created?
To allow
blending from grapes grown across the zone and the majority of wines labelled as such are inexpensive, high-volume wines.
Why is Riverina slightly cooler than Murray Darling and Riverland?
It benefits from a slight maritime influence as there are no mountains between it and the coast
What are the three ‘engine room’ regions of South East Australia?
1) Riverina
2) Riverland
3) Murray Darling
Why is rain low in the Murray Darling Basin?
It’s n the rain shadow of the Great Dividing Range
What is the climate of the Murray Darling Basin?
Hot continental
What are 4/8 best known zones within South Australia?
1) Barossa
2) Mount Lofty Ranges
3) Fleurieu
4) Limestone Coast
Into what two regions is the Barossa Zone split?
1) Barossa Valley, mainly covering the flat valley floor
2) Eden Valley, covering the hills to the east.
Why might Barossa producers blend Shiraz from both Barossa regions?
To combine the intensity and body of wines from the warmer Barossa Valley with the elegance and higher acidity of wines from the cooler Eden Valley
What gives the Barossa Valley its climate?
Its sheltered location
The Barossa Valley is a plain protected
on the west by low hills, on the east by the Eden Valley Region and on the south by the Adelaide Hills
What is the Barossa Valley’s climate?
Warm climate with hot, sunny summer days but cooler nights
What soil is found in the northern part of the Barossa Valley and why is it prized?
An ironstone layer prized for its water retaining properties
Name a significant producer in the Barossa Valley
Torbreck
What are the top three black varieties in the Barossa Valley?
1) Shiraz
2) Cabernet Sauvignon
3) Grenache
How does Barossa Valley Semillon differ to the Hunter Valley?
Higher alcohol, lower acidity and more body
Why is dry farming more common in the Eden Valley compared with the Barossa Valley? (2)
1) Higher rainfall
2) There is a wide variety of soil types but most have good water-holding capacity
How might an Eden Valley Shiraz compared with a Barossa Valley Shiraz? (3)
1) Higher acidity
2) More structured tannins
3) Lower alcohol
What are the two main varieties of the Eden Valley?
1) Riesling
2) Shiraz
What are the two important regions of the Mount Lofty Ranges Zone?
1) Adelaide Hills
2) Clare Valley
What is the climate of Adelaide Hills?
Cool to moderate maritime with temperatures varying due to altitude (400-500m) and proximity to the ocean.
What are two important sub-regions of Adelaide Hills?
Piccadilly Valley and Lenswood
Adelaide Hills has a high diurnal range due to altitude, but the wines often show riper fruit than expected. Why?
The relatively low latitude means the sunlight is still intense
What are two viticultural hazards in Adelaide Hills?
1) Rain in spring that might disrupt fruit set
2) Rot due to high humidity
What are the three common varieties on Adelaide Hills?
1) Sauvignon Blanc
2) Chardonnay
3) Pinot Noir
On what vineyard site might Shiraz be planted in Adelaide Hills?
Low-altitude, west-facing slopes in the north of the region
What is the region of Adelaide Hills that is planted to many experimental varieties?
Basket Range
Name a key producer of Eden Valley
Henschke
What is the climate of Clare Valley?
Warm but the hot summer temperatures are tempered by cool afternoon breezes and cold nights creating a wide diurnal range
What do growers of Clare Valley Riesling need to be conscious of and how is this managed?
1) Sunburn due to intense sunlight and low latitude
2) Canopies are allowed to grow thickly
to provide shading on the western side to protect the vines from the full glare of the afternoon sun.
How and why does Watervale Riesling differ from Polish Hill?
1) More aromatic, floral style which can be drunk when younger
2) More fertile limestone soils compared with the slate of PH
Name two significant Clare Valley producers
Jim Barry and Wendouree
What is the location and climate of the Fleurieu Peninsula?
1) Located south of Adelaide, with Gulf St Vincent to the north and the Southern Ocean to the south.
2) Its vineyards therefore have a strong maritime influence, with
cool breezes tempering the warm Mediterranean climate.
What are the soils of Blewitt Springs?
Sandy soils over a clay base help water retention
How does McLaren Vale’s soil differ between north and south?
North - poor with lower levels of nutrients
South - deeper and more fertile,
producing higher yields.
What are two cooling influences on McLaren Vale?
1) Proximity to the sea
2) Altitude (up to 350m)
Why does McLaren Vale have low disease pressure?
Warm to hot summers with winds blowing in off the Gulf and down from the Adelaide Hills
What is the climate of Coonawarra?
Moderate similar to Bordeaux but slightly warmer and drier
