Australia Flashcards
AUSTRALIA- Highlights
Global sales of sparking wine?
represents 6% of total wine crush or 66 Million L (2018-19)
Domestic: 80% and Export 20% of market
export sales have risen in recent years – demand pull from international customers
AUSTRALIA- Highlights
Styles of production produced?
trad trans tank carbon
Trad method classic blend: Chard, PN, PM
Tank method: Glera/ Prosecco
Others: Moscato, sparking shiraz, Pet Nat
AUSTRALIA- Growing Env & Grape
list regions for sparking wine production
Adelaide Hills
New South Wales on higher altitude sites
Victoria- alpine regions
Yarra Valley led by Domaine Chandon
Tasmania
AUSTRALIA- Growing Env & Grape
what makes regions good for growing grapes for sparkling production?
produce grapes that retain high acidity
moderate potential alcohol level – slow sugar accumulation
creation of ripe but medium intensity fruit character
low yields- contribute to higher prices
AUSTRALIA- Growing Env & Grape
leading of the region for trad method?
Tasmania for high quality traditional method
history 1980s- joint venture between Heemskerk (Tasmanian co) and Champagne Louis Roederer
AUSTRALIA- Growing Env & Grape
Climate on Tasmania’s northern coast
varied climate on the island
regions of Tamar Valley and Piper’s River
Tamar warmer and sheltered from cold Southern Ocean.
Tamar harvest 2 weeks before Piper’s river
AUSTRALIA- Growing Env & Grape
Climate on Tasmania’s southern coast
Coal Valley – generally cooler than the warm parts of N coast
coldest areas are cooler than Champagne
higher sunlight intensity due to latitude
bigger producers source fruit from different areas for blending
AUSTRALIA- Growing Env & Grape
hazards for growing?
spring frost
high rainfall
coulure in the early season
botrytis latter
AUSTRALIA- Growing Env & Grape
inexpensive production?
South Eastern Australia: Riverland, Murry Darling, Riverina
vast majority produced
irrigation is essential and mechanization standard
fruit picked early -low ABV, high acid,
yield are 2 to 3x as high as in cool areas
prices are ¼ prices for the fruit for super premium wines
AUSTRALIA- Growing Env & Grape
Sparking shiraz
fruit is grown in warm climates regions
especially central Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Victoria
style rich and intensity of flavor
grapes picked as same time as still wines
Yield ranges from high for inexpensive to moderate for premium
AUSTRALIA- Winemaking
What production styles are found here?
traditional
transfer
tank
carbonation
Pet Nat
AUSTRALIA- Winemaking
Traditional Method -what styles of wines are made here?
typical: NV, vintage, prestige cuvee, rose
Lees aging varies by producer, look to champagne for example
better producers choose 3+ years
Emerging category- Late Disgorged with 6+ years ageing
Jansz and Arras Named producer for this
AUSTRALIA- Winemaking
Tasmania’s Traditional Method -where is wine made?
Tasmania’s large producer will press and chill juice on the island
Refrigerated juice (or base wine) transported to mainland Bay of Fire where have specialized equipment for 2nd ferm
-small producers may finish sparking wine on the island
AUSTRALIA- Winemaking
Traditional Method -basic characteristic of wine here?
Acidity: Med+ to high
Alcohol: Med
Body & Flavor intensity: vary from Med- to Med+ depending on style and length of lees ageing
lighter style will be softly fruity (citrus & apple)
full body prominent autolytic
MLF: choice -depending on style
AUSTRALIA- Winemaking
Transfer, Tank, Carbonation – where are these wines made?
inexpensive & mid priced- Cool, moderate, and warm climate
often blends from multiple regions, & have regional destinations
Riveriana- warmer region where irrigated, used by large brands
AUSTRALIA- Winemaking
Transfer, Tank, Carbonation – what varieties are used?
Chard
PN
Moscato
Glara
AUSTRALIA- Winemaking
Transfer, Tank, Carbonation – What are the general characteristics?
Acidity: Med to Med+ Sweet: dry to Medium-sweet
Alcohol: low to medium Body: light to Medium
Intensity: tend to be fruity and have some intensity
citrus fruits, riper peach, apricot, grapey
Autolytic: little, just in some transfer wines
Producers: Brown Brothers, Jacob’s Creek, and Yellowglen
AUSTRALIA- Winemaking
Sparkling Shiraz – production method?
still wine made and may include MLF,
choice for oak age
Very good to outstanding: made in transfer method
Acceptable: transfer, tank, or carbonation
AUSTRALIA- Winemaking
Sparkling Shiraz – characteristics?
Color: ruby to garnet
Sweetness: common >20g/L RS to balance tannins and high alcohol
Acidity: Med- to Med Alcohol: Med to High
Tannins: med+ ripe and soft Balance: By Dosage
Body: Med to Full body Intensity: Med to pronounced
Style: fruity or may have savory complexity from extend oak
AUSTRALIA- Winemaking
Sparkling Shiraz – maturation?
Maturation prior to 2nd ferm
Autolytic notes: tend not to be overt, masked by other flavors.
Late disgorged: some with extended lees aging usually released after 1 -2 years
AUSTRALIA- Winemaking
Prosecco – where is this being produced?
King Valley is in Victoria wine region,
just north of Tasmania
continues to be labeled prosecco
-King Valley region is assisting in ongoing legal representation for name in other markets, China
AUSTRALIA- Winemaking
Prosecco – usage of the name prosecco?
planted in Australia before Italy changed use of name in 2009
2st producer to release was Dal Zotto in 2004
If exported to EU wines must be labeled Glera
AUSTRALIA- Winemaking
Prosecco – characteristics?
predominantly tank method -light fruity
Acidity: med+ Alcohol: Med
Body: Light to Med w/ delicate white peach flavor
Sweetness: tends to be off dry to medium dry
predominantly small producers
Quality: good to very good/ some carbonated as well
AUSTRALIA- Winemaking
Pet- Nat
made in small amounts, often natural – white, red, rose
made in several regions from several varieties
quite cloudy
varying level of pressure – slightly to fully sparking
Sweetness: dry usually Acidity: Medium +
Alcohol: Med Body: vary from light to Medium +
flavors intensity van vary from Med to pronounced
Other Notes: wine have yeasty characteristic w/ fruit flavors
AUSTRALIA- Wine Law and Wine Bus
Constraints imposed on Geographical indications?
In general permitted to introduce new styles and varieties
not constrained by wine laws related to varieties
AUSTRALIA- Wine Law and Wine Bus
describe the producers who make sparkling wine?
full range Major corporation to artisan growers
- success of Tasmanian traditional method has led to consolidation – small wineries bought by larger corporations
eg: Brown Brothers bought Tamar Ridge
Accolade owns a range of brands House of Arras and Bay of Fires
AUSTRALIA- Wine Law and Wine Bus
Were are wines sold?
Domestic is 11% of sales by volume
Australian Prosecco rise – 3.5 million liter in 2017
Moscato on rise- tripled production 2014-2017
Pet Nat on rise via wine bars in domestic markets
Sparkling Shiraz sales falling -maybe due to the rise of other sparkling, reduced interest in high ABV
