39 - Australia Flashcards
Describe the climate in Australia?
A very diverse range of climates found here. However due to Australia’s latitude the main growing regions have warm or hot climates. May of these regions are tempered by their proximity to the Southern or Indian Ocean or the Murray River system. Others such as Eden Valley or Adelaide Hills, are cooled by altitude. In many regions rainfall is low so irrigation in the growing season is essential.
What weather condition is a big problem in Australia?
Drought can be a significant problem and in extreme years even the Murray River, which is a vital source of water for the inland vineyards areas of Riverland and Murray Darling can run low.
What other hazard is a common problem in Australia?
Dry conditions and hot summer temperatures mean that bush fires are a very real risk. Even if the vineyard is not damaged, the smoke can come into contact with grapes and leave a pungent taint in the wines.
Many producers in Australia are seeking sites with cool or moderate climates and plantings have increased where?
High altitude locations on the mainland and in Tasmania where conditions are cooler.
What are the main black varietals in Australia?
Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Grenache.
What are the main white varietals in Australia?
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Riesling.
Describe the the common profile of Shiraz from a hot region like the Hunter Valley or a warm region like Barossa Valley?
Full bodied, intensely fruity Shiraz. These wines also often display earthy or spicy notes and develop leather aromas as they age. In these areas, a number of producers are now making more restrained styles by controlling the level of extraction in the winemaking process.
A leaner more peppery style of Shiraz is made where?
In cooler regions such as Geelong or Heathcoate. These may be combined in a multi-regional blended wine.
Shiraz is blended with what and why in Australia?
It’s used to give softness and body to blends with Cabernet Sauvignon, performing a similar role to Merlot in Bordeaux.
Describe the common profile of Australian Cabernet Sauvignon?
Generally darker with firmer tannins and higher acidity than Shiraz, displaying ripe black fruit characters (blackcurrant, black cherry). often underpinned by toasty oak notes. Classic regions in include Coonawara and Margaret River. In Australia, Merlot tens to be blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, to provide body and flesh plummy fruit.
Where are the best examples of Australian Pinot Noir grown?
Tend to come from cool or moderate sites in regions such as Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Tasmania.
What is the general style of Pinot Noir from these cooler climate regions in Australia?
Tend to be medium bodied, with medium alcohol, medium to high acidity and typical flavours of cherry and strawberry.
Australia’s hot regions are perfect for late ripening varieties, such as?
Grenache, Petit Verdot and Mataro. Sangiovese and Tempranillo have become more popular recently because they are well adapted to high summer temperatures and a limited water supply.
What could you class as “Zones” in Australian wine laws?
Large areas without any particular qualifying attributes. Can either be states (South Australia) or cover several states such as South Eastern Australia. Zone can also make up part of state, but with exception of Barossa these zones are rarely seen on labels.
What would you class as “regions” in Australian wine laws?
Regions (such as Coonawara, Clare Valley and Margaret River) can vary in size and are smaller than zones. They must have constant and distinct qualities from neighbouring regions.
What would you class as “sub-regions” in Australian wine laws?
If there notable areas within a region that have distinct and unique qualities. Although a sub-region may fall within one region, some regions are covered by several zones. This gives producers a variety of options when it comes to making their blends.
What is the most planted white grape in Australia?
Chardonnay. It’s planted widely throughout the vineyard regions, and made in a whole range of styles.
Describe the common profile of basic Australian Chardonnay?
Often a blend of fruit from different regions, produced unoaked to give peachy flavours, or with the aid of aok chips or staves to add hints of toast and vanilla.
Describe the common profile of high quality Chardonnay from cool to moderate regions (Adelaide Hills, Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley) in Australia?
Often beautifully balanced with with fresh, vibrant fruit, complemented by subtle flavours from careful use of lees, MLF or oak maturation.
The moderate climate area has become the benchmark for what white varietal in Australia?
Sauvignon Blanc is planted widely due to the popularity of the grape in both the domestic and export markets. Wines tend to show concentrated passion fruit flavours alongside refreshing high acidity.
Semillon is planted all over Australia, but region is notable?
The Hunter Valley. It’s harvested early with low sugar levels and a high acidity. In the winery, contact with oxygen is kept to a minimum and inert vessels are used for fermentation and storage.
Describe the common profile of Hunter Valley Semillon?
Wines are light in alcohol and almost neutral in flavour when first bottled, yet they develop extraordinary flavours of honey and toast with bottle age. The best of these wines can age for 20 years or more.
Where is is notable Semmilon made in Australia?
Western Australia has a more herbaceous style, which could be mistaken for sauvignon Blanc. Barossa traditionally made a fuller bodied, softer style, however early picked unoaked versions are now being produced.
Riesling is made in a style unique to Australia, what is the common profile?
pronounced citrus fruit aromas and flavours (lime, lemon, grapefruit) in youth that develops rapidly into toast, honey and petrol notes as wines age. These wines are unoaked with high levels of acidity, and are usually dry or slightly off dry, although some sweet wines are made.
What are the classic Riesling regions in Australia?
Eden Valley, Clare Valley, Tasmania and The Franklin River sub-region of Western Australia id developing a reputation for high quality Rieslings. here the wines are less citrusy and more floral.
What is the main benefit for producers making wine in the South Eastern Australia Zone?
Allows blending of grapes or wines from across most of Australia’s wine regions. The majority of wines that are labelled with this indication are high volume brands and take advantage of using fruit from the fertile, irrigated vineyards of Riverland, Murray-Darling and Riverina.
