Australia Flashcards
what oceans surround Australia?
Pacific & Indian
Name the most important GIs of the New South Wales state
- Hunter Valley
- Riverina
- Canberra District
where were the countries first vineyards planted & when
New South Wales in 1788
where is most of Australia’s industrial viticulture at?
Riverina region in New South Wales, within the Murrumbidgee Irrigation area
who produces yellow tail
Casella
what is the Great Dividing Range
complex of mountain ranges that run North-South axis that divides the wetter coastal regions with the arid interior
describe the climate of the Hunter Valley GI within New South Wales
- subtropical
- one of the warmest climates in Australia
- mitigated by high humidity, rain & wind
what are the 4 main grapes of Hunter Valley GI?
-Semillon
-Verdelho
-Shiraz
Cabernet Sauvignon
what is the average alcohol of Hunter Valley white wine?
11-12%
what is the main soil type in Hunter Valley
sandy, alluvial
describe the Canberra District within New South Wales
- continental climate
- shiraz, co-fermented with Viognier
what is the smallest and coolest state on the Aussie mainland?
Victoria
name the important GIs within Victoria
Yarra Valley
Mornington Peninsula
Geelong
Rutherglen
describe the climate of Victoria
Coastal Victoria is cool maritime climate (colder winters than Bordeaux or Burgundy)
Central Victoria, NW Victoria & NE Victoria are more continental with large diurnal shifts
what is Victoria’s oldest wine region
Yarra Valley
what Champagne region started making sparkling in Victoria
Moet & Chandon in 1987, with the Australia Domaine Chandon
what styles of wine come from Coastal Victoria?
Cool climate & elegant Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah (co-fermented with Viognier)
Sparkling as well
what is Australia’s most maritime climate?
Mornington Peninsula
describe the wines of Central Victoria?
Shiraz, & Marsanne with some of the worlds oldest vines
-Tahbik has Shiraz vines from 1860 & possibly the oldest Marsanne vines in the world
what are the wines of Rutherglen
Toaque (formerly Tokay), fortified Muscadelle grapes
name the most important GIs in South Australia?
- Coonawarra
- Padthaway
- Barossa Valley
- Adelaide Hills
- Adelaide Plain
- Clare Valley
- Eden Valley
- McLaren Vale
describe McLaren Vale GI
W/in South Aus state
W/in Fleurieu zone
- mediterranean climate tempered by Southern Ocean currents
- Cab Sauv & Rhone varieties with low yields
- D’Arenberg’s “Dead Arm” Shiraz
- Clarendon Hill’s “Astralis” Shiraz (Dry-farmed!!)
what are the three GI within the Mount Lofty Ranges?
- Adelaide Hills
- Adelaide Plains
- Clare Valley
describe Adelaide Hills GI
- cool maritime climate
- Sauv B
- Chardonnay
- Pinot Noir
- sparkling wines
describe Clare Valley GI
W/in South Australia
W/in Mount Lofty Ranges
- Riesling
- Continental climate
- Moderated by afternoon breezes & low night temps
- higher altitude & west facing slopes
- limestone & broken slate
- Grosset = screw cap closure
describe Barossa Valley GI
- w/in South Australia
- w/in Mount Lofty Ranges zone
- premium shiraz
- 150 yr old vines
- opaque, dense, heavily extracted & full of dark fruit & chocolate
- american oak hogshead (300 liter)
- some producers changing styles to French oak & co-fermenting w/ Viognier
- Penfolds “Grange”
name the grapes of Eden Valley
-w/in South Australia
- Riesling
- Chardonnay
- Viognier
- Shiraz
- Cabernet Sauvignon
Describe Margaret River GI
- w/in Western Australia
- maritime climate
- Chardonnay
- Semillon
- Sauv B
- gravelly, elegant Cab Sauv & BDX Blends
- typically blends of the Semillon & Sauv B
Describe Tasmania
- Australia’s coolest wine-producing region
- Similar to Champagne or Rheingau
- long sunshine hours for slow, even ripening
- traditional method sparkling wines
