39. Australia Flashcards
Most widely planted white grape of Australia is:
Chardonnay
Name the 3 wine growing regions of Australia, cooled by altitude
Adelaide Hills
Eden Valley
Heatcote
The majority of Australian wines are produced in
South Australia
Southeastern Australia Zone covers the GI’s of which states?
- South Australia
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- Victoria
- Tasmania
How some of the vine growing areas of Australia cooled?
- Proximity to Southern or Indian ocean: Mc Laren Vale, Victoria, Tasmania, Hunter Valley
- Proximity to Murray River system: Goulburn Valley
- Altitude: Adelaide Hills, Eden Valley, Heathcote
- Cloud cover: Coonawarra
Which styles of Shiraz wines are produced in Australia?
- In hot regions like Hunter valley and warm regions like Barossa Valley full-bodied, intensely fruity wines with earthy and spicy notes which develop leather aromas as they age
- In cool regions like Geelong and Heatcote, a leaner and peppery style Shiraz
Which area in Australia has the reputation as the benchmark of Sauvignon Blanc? Describe the characteristics of this wine.
- Adelaide Hills
- Concentrated passionfruit flavours
- High acidity
From which areas, high quality Chardonnays are produced in Australia? Describe the characteristics of this wine.
- Usually cool areas like Adelaide Hills, Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula but also from Margaret River (warm)
- Fresh vibrant fruit
- Subtle flavours from careful use of lees/MLF/oak
Compare Semillion wines from Hunter Valley, Western Australia and Barossa Valley
- Hunter Valley: Light alcohol, high acidity, almost neutral in flavour when bottled. Develop honey and toast as they age
- Western Australia: Much more herbaceous style which could be mistaken as Sauvignon Blanc
- Barossa Valley: Fuller body, softer style
What are the classical regions for Riesling production in Australia? Describe the tasting notes.
- Eden Valley and Clare Valley
- High acidity, dry or slightly off-dry, pronounced citrus aromas develop toast, honey and petrol notes as they age
What is the climate of Barossa Valley?
Mediterranean. Cool wet winters, warm, dry summers
What are the notable black and white grape varieties grown in Barossa Valley?
Black: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache
White: Semillion
Tasting notes for a typical Barossa Valley Shiraz
- Full bodied
- Soft tannins
- Ripe black fruit
- Complemented by sweet American oak
- Develop leather and spice aromas as they age
Wines labelled Barossa can be made from the grapes sourced from which regions?
- Barossa and Eden Valleys
Compare the climate of Eden Valley with Barossa Valley (E)
- Eden Valley is has a cool to moderate climate that varies with altitude
- Day temperatures are 2-3 degrees, night temperatures are 5-7 degrees cooler than Barossa Valley
Where are the best Rieslings grown in Australia?
Clare and Eden Valleys
Tasting notes for Eden and Clare Valley Rieslings
- High acidity (steely character)
- Dry
- Intense citrus (lime), grapefruit (Eden Valley)
- Develop aromas of toast, marmalade (Eden Valley), honey (Clare Valley) as they age
In Clare Valley many vineyards are planted at altitudes of …
300-400 m (even as high as 750 m)
In Adelaide Hills all the vineyards are planted above… meters.
400
Why is irrigation often necessary in Adelaide Hills?
Soils have limited water holding capacity
Adelaide Hills are specialized in making wines from which grapes?
Refreshing Sauvignon Blancs and elegant Chardonnays with high natural acidity and pronounced citrus and peach flavours
What are the most notable grape varieties grown in McLaren Vale?
- Shiraz (old vine)
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Grenache (old vine)
- Merlot
What is the climate of Coonawarra?
Moderate maritime
What is the distinctive characteristics of the soil in Coonawarra?
It is red “terra rosa” soil over a limestone subsoil
How are the hot summer temperatures moderated in Coonawarra?
- Cold currents from the Antarctic
- Cloud cover
What is the most notable grape variety grown in Coonawarra and what are its characteristics?
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- It has characteristic cassis and menthol or eucalyptus aromas
Which area offers some of the coolest vineyards in Australia?
Victoria
How are the vine growing areas of Victoria cooled?
- Ocean breezes
- Altitude and aspects provided by Great Diving Range
What is the climate in Yarra Valley?
Cool to moderate maritime
Yarra Valley is famous for which grape variety?
Pinot Noir
Tasting notes for Yarra Valley Pinot Noir
- Rich in fruit (strawberries, plums and dark cherries)
- Ripe tannins
- Careful oak handling
Which grape varieties are the specialities of Mornington Peninsula?
- Pinot Noir
- Chardonnay
Tasting notes for Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay
- High acidity
- Citrus, pear and apple aromas
- Softened by MLF
What are the characteristics of Geelong Chardonnay?
Geelong Chardonnay is renowned for its quality and tends to be complex, concentrated and full-bodied
Which grape is the speciality of Goulburn Valley and what are its characteristics?
- Marsanne
- Wines with citrus fruit in youth and developing honeyed aromas with bottle age
What is the climate in Hunter Valley?
- Hot and humid
- Cooled by high cloud cover and ocean breezes
What is the most common climatic hazard in Hunter Valley? How is it managed?
- Rainy weather at harvest
- With good wine canopy management techniques
What is the climate in Margaret River?
Warm maritime
Which grape varieties are the specialities of Margaret River?
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc (often blended with Semillion)
What are the characteristics of Margaret River Chardonnay?
- High natural acidity
- Concentrated stone-fruit aromas
- MLF and barrel aging to add complexity
What are the typical characteristics of Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc - Semillion blend?
- High acidity
- Attractive gooseberry and tropical fruit aromas
Which region is the prime source for base wine for sparkling wine in Australia?
Tasmania
Name the regions which supply grapes for high volume brands in Australia
- Riverland in South Australia
- Murray-Darling in Victoria
- Riverina in New South Wales
Which area in Australia is specialized in making botyrtised wines from Semillion?
Riverina
In which area of Australia, vintage variation is a concern due to wet and windy weather during flowering and harvest?
Mornington Peninsula
Greater Southern Region of Australia is known for wines from which grape varieties?
- Deep colored Cabernet Sauvignon
- Peppery Shiraz
- Floral Riesling
