31 - South Australia

Question 1

How do producers of Shiraz in the Barossa Zone use its sub-regions to ensure balance?

Answer 1

Blend fruit from the warmer Barossa Valley and cooler Eden Valley

Question 2

Outline the difference in topography, climate and soil between the Barossa Valley and the Eden Valley?

Answer 2

Topography

Barossa Valley plain (250-270m) sheltered from sea by hills

Eden Valley rolling, exposed hills as part of the Mount Lofty Range up to 600m

Climate

Barossa Valley warm climate, low rainfall (160mm)

Eden Valley cooler with higher rainfall (230mm), wind can affect flowering

Soils

Barossa Valley various soils create blending opportunities, ironstone soils in north have prized water retention

Eden Valley variety but many have good water holding capacity, so dry farming is more common

Question 3

Explain the differences in style between the Barossa Valley and Eden Valley.

Answer 3

Barossa Valley has warmer, dry climate, Eden Valley has cooler, wetter climate –> mainly due to altitude

Shiraz from Barossa Valley is full-bodied, high in alcohol with high/soft tannin and pronounced ripe/dried black fruit + oak aromas –> develops spice, leather with time. Large stock of old vines due to phyl-free increasing concentration. May also be blended with Grenche.

Shiraz from Eden Valley has higher acid, firmer tannin, low alcohol with fresher flavours

Riesling from Eden Valley dry, high acid, med alcohol, protective winemaking with citrus and floral –> honey, nuts with age

Whites from Barossa HQ Chardonnay and full-bodied Semillon

Question 5

How has the Barossa Valley sought to promote and preserve old vines?

Answer 5

Phylloxera free has meant large stock of old vines

But many lost due to vine pull in 1980s

Barossa Old Vine Charter records and promotes these

Question 6

Describe the growing environment of the Mounty Lofty Zone? (4)

Answer 6

Diurnal variation - Clare Valley plantings are 300-500m

Range of climates e.g. Adelaide Hills has cool climate at high altitude sites near ocean and moderate at lower altitude, west facing sites

Maritime influence means that higher rainfall ~300mm in Adelaide Hills

Latitude –> intense sunlight –> grape show ripe flavours

Question 7

What challenges are presented by the growing environment in the Lofty Mountain Zone? (4)

Answer 7

1. Great humidity esp. in Adelaide Hills (not an issue in Clare Valley)
2. Steep hillsides esp. in Adelaide Hills prohibit mechanisation
3. Low latitude means grapes need shade esp. Riesling in Clare Valley
4. Rainfall higher but may fall during winter e.g. Clare Valley –> dry farm or great reservoirs with dams, underground sources also an option

Question 8

Briefly summarise the situation, climate, viticulture, and wines of McLaren Vale.

Any other notable factors?

Answer 8

Situation large, mostly flat area south of Adelaide

Climate warm/hot moderated by sea breeze, moderately dry

Viticulture Large vineyard trellised to manage vigour, some producers use bush vines

Wines almost entirely black grapes in full range of quality levels incl Shiraz, Cab, Grenache

Best wines from old vines at higher elevations on water-retaining clay/sand soil

Dry, windy climate means many organic and biodynamic producers + sustainability also irrigation using dams, boreholes and recycled wastewater

Question 9

Describe the situation, topography, climate, soils and wine of the Limestone Coast and Coonawarra.

Answer 9

Situation closer to Victoria than the rest of South Australia’s other regions, Connawarra around 100km from coast covering 5000ha

Topography flat allowing sea breezes to come far inland

Climate Connawarrra moderate with warm days –> higher latitude and sea breeze; low rainfall around 260mm

Soils various limestone soils including terra rossa

Wine Cab S most famous with dark fruit, eucalyptus, oak with med-full-body, med alcohol, high/firm tannin + some Shiraz, Chardonnay and Riesling

Question 10

Describe the styles of wine unique to Adelaide Hills and Clare Valley?

Answer 10

Adelaide Hills

Sauvignon Blanc intense ripe fruit, high acidity, med alcohol, mid-priced and VG

Chardonnay ripe stone fruit, med(+)-high acid, med body with lots of winemaking, HQ

Pinot Noir med(+) acid, med alcohol, med body, red fruit HQ

Shiraz in a range of styles, generally HQ

Clare Valley

Riesling very dry, med body, limey in youth. Flinty soils of Polish Hill give leaner, less aromatic styles; limestone of Watervale given early drinking styles; good-outstanding/mid-premium

Shiraz and Cab med-med(+) acid and tannins, pronounced ripe black fruit, minty/eucalyptus character HQ

Question 13

Describe terra rossa and how it impacts vine growth

Answer 13

Iron-rich loam over hard limestone layer with soft, water retaining limestone underneath

• alkaline nature reduces nutrient uptake –> reduces yield
• limestone is difficult for roots to penetrate –> reduces yield
• water retaining limestone is source of irrigation via aquafiers

Question 14

Name two viticultural hazards on the Limestone Coast plus a human difficulty.

Answer 14

1. Spring frost
2. Poor flowering due to rainfall

Human problem - isolated so labour difficult to find –> mechanisation and migrant labour being used