31 - Australia (Victoria + Tasmania)

Question 1

To what extent is dry-farming vs. irrigation practised?

Answer 1

Both are common - limestone and some clays help soils retain water so dry-farming used but water from underground aquifers also popular

Question 2

Describe the growing environment of the Port Philip zone using some of its regions as examples. Outline the climate, rainfall, topography soils, and any notable viticultural characteristics.

Answer 2

Climate cool-moderate due to southerly latitude and influence of sea e.g. Mornington Peninsula which is directly on the coast; warmer vineyards further away e.g. Lower Yarra –> frost risk in flatter, cool areas

Rainfall varies between the sub-zones but is generally higher than in other areas. Up to 500mm during the growing season in Yarra, lower elsewhere –> some disease pressure, threat of flowering/fruit set

Topography Altitude varies e.g. Yarra Valley between 50-350m, up to 800m in the Macedon Ranges

Soils vary e.g. lower Yarra has loam (unfertile but free-draining), upper Yarra has volcanic (fertile but retains water); red basalt salts of Mp’s Red Hill retain water but they are fertile (trellising)

Other viticultural features…

Wind plays an important role in moderating risk of frost and disease esp. for Mornington Peninsula

Question 3

Describe the wines that the regions of the Port Philip zone are noted for.

Answer 3

Pinot Noir light-med body with ripe red fruit and a mixture of oak maturation, some wholebunch used. Generally HQ.

Chardonnay peach, grapefruit, melon with high acid and medium body with some producers picking early to produce a lean style w/o malo or new oak and high % of solids for reductive flavours. HQ.

Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon in lower altitude, warmer sites esp. in Yarra with some fuller-bodied wines from Geelong; tends to be medium-bodied with fresh fruit and often made with wholebunch

Question 5

What distinguishes regions in the Western Victoria zone? (4)

Which styles of wine is it known for producing?

Answer 5

High altitude sites provide a moderating influence e.g. Grampians 240-440m

Antarctic wind cools many vineyard e.g. Henty is one of coldest mainland regions

Sandy soils retain water well so no need for irrigation in Grampians

Acidic soils reduce vigour and yields in Grampians

Grampians and Pyrenees known for medium-bodied, peppery Shiraz, Henty produces a range of grapes and styles from Pinot Gris to Cab Sav

Question 6

Describe the growing environment of the North-east Victoria zone and the wines it produces.

Answer 6

Continental given distance from coast with temperature depending on topography e.g. warm, flat Rutherglen to King Valley at up to 860m (very cool, lots of rainfall)

King Valley varies based on altitude from 250-680m with plantings of Glera for sparkling wine, Pinot Gris for still wines in dry, light-bodied Pinot Grigio style and many black grapes incl. Sangiovese, Barbera and Nebbiolo

Beechworth has similar diversity with altitudes of 200-1000m

Question 7

Why are producers in Mornington Peninsula mainly small, estates?

Answer 7

High land prices due to demand for tourism and leisure means focus on small-volume, HQ wines

Question 8

Briefly outline the growing conditions in the Central Victora zone and the wine produced.

Answer 8

Warm, flat plains with some altitude in Heathcote

Goulburn Valley and Bendigo well-suited to ripe, full-bodied reds and Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne; Upper Goulburn makes fresher styles incl from Chard, Riesling, Savvy B

Heathcote has moderated conditions due to altitude and southerly winds + limestone soils –> dry farming of full-bodied Shriaz possible

Question 10

What challenges of a region like King Valley face in marketing its wines?

Answer 10

For historical reasons, Italian grape varieties are very important

However, these are difficult to sell compared to wines made from those grapes in Italy especially int’l

Due to small production, prices are also fairly high

Question 12

Describe the situation and growing conditions of Tasmania including climate, sub-regional differences, rainfall and main viti challenges.

Answer 12

Situation 250km south of mainland

Climate cool, maritime due to high latitude (41-43S) and cool winds from Southern Ocean

Rainfall high levels from wet southerly winds, up to 350mm during growing season

Sub-regional differences

• East coast is largely sheltered from wet, southerly winds e.g. Tamar Valley –> warmer, drier
• Southern Tasmania cooler than north due to latitude and exposure –> site selection critical

Viticultural Challenges

1. Rainfall in east –> fungal disease
2. Spring frost
3. Lack of warmth esp. in south

Question 13

Outline the style and volume of wine produced in Tasmania.

Where is most Tasmanian wine sold?

Answer 13

Tasmania accounts for 1% of total Australian production

Pinot Noir red fruit, light-med body, med(+)-high acidity, med alcohol –> riper styles in north/west

Chardonnay apple, white pear, peach; high acid w/ malo with medium ABV, medium body

–> oak ageing for top wines of both styles common

Others Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz

Sales mainly domestic with lots of cellar door