31 - Australia (Victoria + Tasmania)

Question 1

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

Answer 1

Both common - limestone + clays → 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-mod → S latitude + sea → frost risk in flatter, cool areas

Rainfall varies, generally higher than other areas→ 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 important mod → frost + disease

Question 3

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

Answer 3

PN light-med body, ripe, mixture of oak, wholeb, HQ.

Chard

• high acid + med body
• → some producers picking early to produce a lean style w/o malo or new oak and high % of solids for reductive flavours
• HQ.

Shiraz, CS

• lower altitude
• warmer sites

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 mod influence
• Antarctic wind cools
• Sandy soils retain water well
• Acidic soils reduce vigour + Y
• Grampians and Pyrenees peppery Shiraz
• Henty PG + CS

Question 6

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

Answer 6

Continental

King Valley varies based on altitude from 250-680m with plantings of Glera for SP, PG, Sangiovese, Barbera, Nebbiolo

Beechworth diversity with altitudes

Question 7

Why are producers in Mornington Peninsula mainly small, estates?

Answer 7

High land $ → demand for tourism and leisure means focus on small-volume, HQ

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 + Bendigo well-suited to ripe, full-bodied reds, Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne

Upper Goulburn fresher Chard, Riesling, SB

Heathcote mod → altitude + S winds + limestone soils → dry farming, full-bodied Shriaz

Question 10

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

Answer 10

historical reasons, Italian grape varieties are very important → difficult to sell

Due to small production, prices 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 S of mainland
• Climate cool, maritime due to high latitude, cool winds from S Ocean
• Rainfall high from wet S winds, during growing season

Sub-regional diff

• • E coast sheltered from wet, S winds
• • S Tasmania cooler than N → latitude + exposure → site selection critical

Viticultural Challenges

1. Rainfall in E → fungal disease
2. Spring frost
3. Lack of warmth esp. in S

Question 13

Outline the style and volume of wine produced in Tasmania.

Where is most Tasmanian wine sold?

Answer 13

1% of total AUS production

PN red fruit, light-med body, highish acid, med abv → riper styles N/W

Chard high acid w/ malo →oak ageing for top

Others SB, Riesling, PG, Merlot, CS, Shiraz

Sales domestic + lots of cellar door