31 - South Australia

Question 1

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

Answer 1

Blend warmer Barossa Valley + 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 sheltered from sea by hills

Eden Valley rolling, exposed hills

Climate

Barossa Valley warm, low rainfall

Eden Valley cooler, higher rainfall, wind → flowering

Soils

both have water holding capacity

Question 3

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

Answer 3

Shiraz from Barossa Valley

• full-bodied, high abv
• high/soft tannin
• pronounced ripe black fruit + oak aromas → develops spice, leather
• old vines due to phyl-free increasing concentration
• some blended with Grenche

Shiraz from Eden Valley

• higher acid
• firmer tannin, low abv
• fresher flavours

Riesling from Eden Valley

• dry, high acid, med abv
• protective winemaking
• citrus and floral → honey, nuts with age

Whites from Barossa HQ Chard + 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 80s

Barossa Old Vine Charter records and promotes these

Question 6

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

Answer 6

• Diurnal variation→ altitude
• Maritime influence → higher rainfall in Adelaide Hills
• Latitude → intense sun→ ripe flavours

Question 7

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

Answer 7

1. humidity
2. Steep hillsides → prohibit mechanisation
3. Low latitude → shade
4. Winter Rainfall → dry farm/reservoirs

Question 8

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

Any other notable factors?

Answer 8

• Situation large, flat S Adelaide
• Climate warm, mod by sea, dryish
• Viticulture trellised → vigour
• Wines Shiraz, Cab, Grenache
• Best → old vines @ altitude on water-retaining soil
• Dry, windy climate → organic/bio

Question 9

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

Answer 9

Situation close to coast

Topography flat → sea breezes come far inland

Climate mod, warm days → higher latitude and sea breeze; low rainfall

Soils various limestone soils → terra rossa

Wine CS; dark, eucalyptus, oak. Shiraz, Chard + Riesling

Question 10

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

Answer 10

Adelaide Hills

SB- ripe fruit, high acid, mid-priced/VG

Chard- ripe stone fruit, HQ

PN red fruit HQ

Shiraz range of styles, HQ

Clare Valley

Riesling

• very dry, limey in youth
• Flinty soils of Polish Hill → leaner, less aromatic
• limestone of Watervale → early drinking
• good-out/mid-prem

Shiraz + Cab med(+) acid/tannins, pronounced ripe black fruit, minty/eucalyptus → 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 Y
• limestone is difficult for roots to penetrate → reduces Y

Question 14

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

Answer 14

1. Spring frost
2. Poor flowering → rainfall

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