3_Introduction to Wines of the Southern Hemisphere

Question 1

What are the main grape varieties in China?

Answer 1

Cabernet Sav, Cabernet Gernischt (Carmenere), Merlot, and MArselean (a cross of Cabernet and Grenache)

Question 2

What is significant about the Pentfolds Grange wine from Australia?

Answer 2

Penfolds Grange is one of Australia’s most famous wines. Crated by Max Schubert in the 1950s. The 1971 vintage won first prize at the Wine Olympics in Paris. The 1990 vintage was named Red Wine of the year by Wine Spectator.

Described as the “only First Growth of the Southern Hemisphere”

Question 3

Why is Marlborough significant in new Zealand’s wine industry?

Answer 3

Marlborough, located on Noew Zealand’s South Island, is the largest wine-producing region in the country and is renowed for its Sauvignon Blanc. Key features:
Climate: sunny yet cool, ideal for producing high-acid, vibrant wines.
Style: wines are aromatic with flavors fo passion fruit, gooseberry, and lemongrass. Theregion established NEw Zealands reputtiaon as a global producer of world-class Sauvignon Blanc, often described as some of the best in the world.

Question 4

What role do the Andes Mountains play in Argentinian wine production?

Answer 4

Provide irrigation; regulate temperatures; Define terroir. The proximity to the Andes influences the quality and style of wines, particularly Malbec, which thrives in this region.

Question 5

Explain the unique characteristics of South African Pinotge.

Answer 5

Pinotage is a unique grape variety developed in South Africa, a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault. It’s characteristics include: Flavor s (rich in berry fruits and spice with smooth, well-rounded tannins); Versatility (great variety of easy-drinking wines); Decline in popularity (once the most panted grape, is is now being replaced by Syrah and Cabernet Sauv).

Question 6

What are GSM blends, and why are they significant in Australia?

Answer 6

GSM blends combine Grenache, Shiraz, and Mouverde, inspired by Rhone style wines.

Question 7

What are they key grape varieties and wine styles associated with Australia’s Barossa VAlley?

Answer 7

Reds: Shiraz, Grenache, Mataro (GSM blends).
Whites: Chardonnay, Semillon, Viogner.
Know for full-bodied red wines and elegant Rieslings.

Question 8

How do New Zealand’s North and South Islands differ in Sauvignon Blanc production?

Answer 8

North Island: Warmer Climate produces riper, fruity styles with stone fruit and nectarine flavors.

South Island: cooler, producing pungent, high-acid styles with tropical fruit, lime, and grassy notes.

Question 9

What is the significance of the Marlborough region to New Zealand’s wine identity?

Answer 9

Marlborough established NEw Zeland’s global reputation with its Sauvignon Blanc, known for intense aromatics and zesty acidity.

Question 10

What makes Mendoza the most important wine region in Argentina?

Answer 10

Produces 70% of the country wines; high altitude vineyards; Malbec dominates plantings, thriving in the dry climate with irrigation from Andes snowmelt.

Question 11

How does Bonarda differ from Malbec in Argentina?

Answer 11

Bonarda offers bright fruit, spice, and earth with higher acidity and a lighter body compared to MAlbec’s deep, smoth, cholate, and plum fLAvors.

Question 12

Why has Chile remained free of phyloxera?

Answer 12

Chile’s natural geographic barriers (Andes Mountains, Pacific Ocean, and Atacama Desert) protect it from phylloxera, allwong ungrafted vines.

Question 13

How has Chile’s wine industry evolved since the 1990’s?

Answer 13

After the return of democracy, vineyards flourished with international alliances, advanced winemaking tech, and a focus on global marketing.

Question 14

How did apartheid impact South Africa’s wine industry?

Answer 14

Under apartheid, the wine industry stagnated with limited exports and governement-controlled cooperatives. After 1994, the industry flourished, with significant growth and quality improvement.

Question 15

What diefines the terroir and style of Stellenbosch wines in South Africa?

Answer 15

Terroir: granite-based alluvial fans influence the subtle mineral notes in wines.
Style: Known for high quality Syrah, CAbernet Sauvginon, and Chenin Blanc.

Question 16

What can you tell me about Australia’s climate impact?

Answer 16

Australia’s warm winemaking regions produce full-flavored, fruit-driven wines. The southern ocean’s cooling effects are vital for the production of premium wines.

Question 17

What can you tell me about Australias’ Chardonnay commercialization?

Answer 17

The success of affordable brands like yellowtail boosted Australia’s reputation but also hurt its premium wine image in the early 2000s

Question 18

What are New Zealand’s key wine regions?

Answer 18

Hawke’s Bay: Know for Merlot blends and tropical Sauvignon Blanc with creamy textures.

Central Otago: The southernmost wine region produces crips Sauv Blanc and Pinot Noir.

Question 19

What can you tell me about Argentina’s Torrontes?

Answer 19

Argentina’s signature white grape, offering floral notes and pronounced acidity, is a major export alongside Malbec.

Question 20

What can you tell me about Argentina and the Andes Mountains?

Answer 20

Act as both a climate regulator and an irrigation source, crucial for the country’s wine identity.

Question 21

What are Chile Wine Laws?

Answer 21

Chiles’ system is similar to the US appellation system, with flexibility in viticultural practices and grape varieties. For export, wines must contain at least 85% of the varietal and vintage on the label.

Question 22

What can you tell me about Chile’s climate influence?

Answer 22

The Pacific Ocean and Humboldt Current create cooling effects crucial for maintaining grape acidity.

Question 23

What can you tell me about Australian stats?

Answer 23

4th largest exporter (behind Italy, Frace, and Spain). With a small population, they export most if their win.e

Phylloxera ruined production until the 1970s.

In Australia, early wineries were established by doctors sent to care for convicts.

Question 24

What are two Australian labels that are famous and based on the original doctors that established there?

Answer 24

Dr. Penfolds and Dr. Lindemans. They began making fortified wine to treat prisioners who had been exiled to Australia.

Question 25

What are the varieties and regions in Australia?

Answer 25

Key varieties are Shiraz (50% of total red plantings), Cab Sauv, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauv Blanc, Semillon, and Riesling. there are no native grapes. Chardonnay is over 50% of white grapes planted.

Question 26

What can you tell me about Aussie regions?

Answer 26

The South Australian wine industry is responsible for most of the production of wine in Australia (55%).

The University of Adelaide serves the same function as UC Davis to the wine industry in Australia. Penfolds is in Adelaide.

Question 27

What are some valleys of South Australia?

Answer 27

Barossa VAlley, Clare VAlley, Eden VAlley, Coonawarra, McLaren VAle, and Adelaide Hills.

Question 28

What’s the climate in south australia?

Answer 28

cool southern to warm northern inland, altitute can moderate temperatures in hilly areas. Cold southern ocean keeps temperatures cool in south-ideal for making wine.

Question 29

What are the soils in Austrlia?

Answer 29

Limestone, clay, loams.

Question 30

What are Australia’s south wine regions?

Answer 30

The Islands; The Mainland, the Limestone Coast

Question 31

What can you tell me about the barossa region in Australia?

Answer 31

Stunningly complex shirz, GSM blends, lush white wines (Chardonnay, Semillon, Viogner), and elegant, dry Riesling

Question 32

What can you tell me about the Barosa valley in South Australia?

Answer 32

One of the most celebrated and historic wine-producing areas. KEy varieties: Barossa valley (Shiraz, Cab SAuv, and Grenache) and eden valley (riesling, chardonnay, and cab)

Question 33

What can you tell me about Adelaide hills in Australia?

Answer 33

Acclaimed by its Sauv Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz, which are well suited tot he region’s cool climate. It is also known for the innovative winemakers who are exploring a growing range of alternative varietes such as Gruner Veiltiner, Sangiovese, and Nebbiolo.

Question 34

What can you tell me about Cab Sauv in Australia?

Answer 34

Cab Sauvignon is Australia’s third most planted grape variety and an integral part of Australia’s wine heritage.

Australia is know for fuller-bodied concentrated Cabernet Sauv, but also produces medium-bodied, tannin driven styles.

Baross Valley is believed to be the world’s oldest Cab Sauv vines planted.

Question 35

What can you tell me about Yarra Valley?

Answer 35

It is a valley form Australia - It has cool climate with red volcanic and sandy loam soils

Question 36

What can you tell me about the Yarra Valley in Australia?

Answer 36

Known as the birthplace of Victoria’s wine industry. One of Australia’s cool climate regions.

Two prominent and radically different soil types create regional diversity: Northern areas features soils of grey to grey-brown on the surface, with red-brown clay subsoils. Southern area features much younger, immensely deep, fertile red volcanic soil.

Question 37

What can you tell me about NEw Zeland?

Answer 37

Number 10 country in terms of value of exports. Cool climate, best for Sav blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. Those 3 account for 90%

Question 38

What are some fun facts of New Zealand?

Answer 38

Vast majority under 30 dolalrs; Sauv Blanc is 70%.

Largest wine region is Marlborough (the Southern Island)

The Climte is sunny, but cool

Question 39

What can you tell me about the North Island Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand?

Answer 39

Expect to sip on riper, fruity styles of Sauv Blanc from this milder and warmer island climate (think stone fruit and nectarine flavors).

Hawke’s Bay Region (the oldest new zealand wine region) mostly know for Merlot blends, make tropical fruit-forward Sauv Blanc.

Wairarapa (Martinborough) Region: Expect intense aromatics of stone fruit and herbaceous jalapeno character mixed with a freshly-wetted-concrete-like minerality.

Gisborne Region: These wines will have very ripe in tropical fruit in the realm of pineapple and guava, along with citrus zest.

Question 40

What can you tell me about ARgentina?

Answer 40

5th largest producer of wines.

Vines imported from Spain in the 1550s

The Mendoza province produces 70% of the country’s wine and is the most important region.

The Cuyo wine region, that includes Mendoza, produces 95% of ARgentina’s wine

Malbec (from France) 60% of exports, and Bonarda (aka Corbeau in France and Charbono in the US) are the main red grape.

Torrontes, is the major white wine.

Question 41

What can you tell me about Mendoza wines?

Answer 41

80% of the plantings are Malbec, the second grape is Bonarda. Like most wine areas, they have a serious wine (Malbec) and a fun wine (Bonarda)

Question 42

What can you tell me about wine and Phylloxera in Chile?

Answer 42

Phylloxera never came to Chile!

Question 43

What are the rules or wine laws in Chile?

Answer 43

Wines are required to have at least 75% of a grape variety if it is to be consumed within Chile.

If exported, it must contain 85% of the varietal listed on the label as well as at least 85% form the designated vintage year.

Question 44

What can you tell me about the Central Valley Region of Chile?

Answer 44

There are four subregions: The Maipo Valley, the Rapet Valley, the Curico Valley and the Maule VAlley. This is Chile’s most productive and internationally known wine region, due in large part to its close proximity to the country’s capital Santiago.

Question 45

what can you tell me about Chilean coast climate?

Answer 45

Chile’s climate is highly
influenced by the cooling
effect of the Pacific Ocean
and the Humboldt Current
that begins in the icy waters
near Antarctica and flows
up the western coast of
South America…it produces
clouds and fog, but little or
no precipitation”

Question 46

What the soil for viticulture in Chile?

Answer 46

the soil composition of Chile’s vineyards varies from the clay, to the mixture of loam, limestone and sand (in some regions volcanic sand)

Question 47

What can you tell me about the Carmenere grape of Chile?

Answer 47

The deepests, darkest, purplest of all red grapes needs a long growing season to reach its fullest potential. Rich in berry fruits and spice with smooth, well rounded tannins, making this a very pleasing and easy to drink varietal.

Question 48

What are other Chilean facts that are relevant to wine makers?

Answer 48

Wine laws are similar to US. Wine grapes mostly French.

The central valley Maipo region, and the Rapel Valley are the most productive and well-known areas.

Good value wines like Concha y Toro.

Question 50

What are the most prominent grapes in South Africa?

Answer 50

Cabernet and Shiraz are the top two red grapes before Pinotage. Pinotage is decresaing in plantings because of its limitations.

Pinotage is uniquely South African. It is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault. Chenin Blanc is the most prominent white - 55% of production.

Question 51

What are wine areas in South AFrica?

Answer 51

Main wine area is westward along the south coast form cape twon. Stellenbosh is the top area.

Question 52

What can tell you if you are about to have a good wine from Stellenbosch?

Answer 52

Wines tend to come from vineyards that are on alluvial fans of the granite mountains. The wines from these locations are often described as having a subtle mineral note which many believe is form the decomposed granite soils.

Question 53

What district is next to Stellenboch in South AFrica?

Answer 53

the Paarl. Similar soils and climate to Stellenboch.

Question 54

What are the geographical units in South Africa?

Answer 54

There are 5 geographical units. Established in 1993-highest geographical level:

1. Western Cape-best area (again, Stellenbosch is in the coastal region of the wester cape)
2. Eastern Cape
3. Northern Cape
4. KwaZulu-Natal
5. Limpopo