Australia Flashcards
Which area in Australia is phylloxera free
S Australia
Western Australia
Tasmania
Grape growing states in Australia
Southern Australia Victoria New south wales Tasmania Western Australia
Australia is relatively flat so maritime influences spread considerably inland true or false
True
Trellising techniques used in south Australia to manage vigour
Scott henry & Smart Dyson for new plantings
Old vine bush vines naturally lower vigour
What are the main hazards for growing grapes in Australia
Drought - drip irrigation Birds - netting Kangaroos - no solution Soil salinty - rootstock and more water less frequently (insufficient rain to take salt deposits from irrigated water away, causes lack of water uptake & vine death), Chardonnay sensitive) Bush fire - smoke taint, bitter
Why is Australian viticulture mainly mechanised
Cost of labour
Harvest @ night
Quick
Availability of labour
Why do some producers harvest by hand in Australia for more expensive wines
Limits grapes splitting & crushes
Selection of fruit
Whole bunches required for fermentation
What are the main grape varieties in Australia
Shiraz (25%) Chardonnay (20%) Cab sav (15%) Merlot Sau blanc
Why are new vineyards often grafted
Ensure no phylloxera risk
Combat salinty & acid in soil
Which areas have open canopies to max air flow
Adelaide hills
S victoria
Hunter valley
Parts tasmania
Pinot noir winemaking
Some whole bunch fermentation- aromas
Some cold soaking - colour & flavour
French osk
But % of new oak reducing
Picking & wine making techniques for semillon in hunter valley
Harvest early - low sugar, high acidity
Inert winemaking
No oak
South Australia is 50% of the total harvested fruit which areas does it cover
Barossa Eden valley Adelaide hills Clare valley McLaren vale Coonawarra
Wine making shiraz Australia
Trend more approachable, less extractive
Whole bunch fermentation &/or less oak
French as well as American oak
Open fermentation tanks - punch down for softer extraction
Style of hunter valley Semillon
L abv
Neutral flavours youth
Honey & toast with age
Riesling winemaking premium Australia
Some only free run juice = h sugar, h acidity, low phenolics
Other pre fermentation skin contact & lees
Australias gi hierarchy split into 3 what are they
Zones
Regions
Sub regions
Describe zones
Large area e.g victoria to smaller areas e.g barossa
Dont have to have shared geographical or climate features
Descibe regions in Australia
Coonawarra, clare valley
Consistent & distinct character
Describe sub regions Australia
Recognise particular soil, climatr or topography
Wine labelled as se Australia zone are generally
High volume brands
Grapes sourced fertile soil, irrigated vineyards
S Australia, Victoria, new south wales
Barossa valley is known for which grapes
Shiraz (66%)
Cab sav
Grenache (rhone blends & some varietal)
Semillon
What are the 2 styles of shiraz in Australia
Hotter regions eg barossa F body H abv Soft tannins Leather & spice with age Pronounced black fruits
Cooler regions:
M abv
Less fruity - red & black
Black pepper
Climate murray darling
Hot continental
Barossa style Semillon
H abv
F body
Oak
Lower acidity
Viticulture old vines barossa valley
Dry farmed
Bush vines
Low yields
Complex
Wines labelled barossa come from which valleys
Barossa valley
Clare valley
Barossa valley climate
Warm - hot days cooler nights
Sheltered
Dry - low rainfall, irrigation
Eden valley grape varieties
Riesling (1/3)
Shiraz (between cool , pepper & f body style)
Is dry farming more common in eden valley
Yes
More rainfall
Soil gd water holding capacity
Styke of riesling eden valley
H acidity Grapefruit, lime, steely, floral characteristics Honey, nuts, petrol with age Petrol develops quickly Gd to outstanding Mid to premium
Style Riesling from clare valley
Gd to outstanding
Mid to premium
Polish hill slate soil = flintier, less aromatic, long bottle ageing
Watervale, limestone soil = floral, aromatic, younger drinking
What is the climate in eden valley
Cool to moderate
Altitude - cooling influence
Wind can affect flower & ripening
More rainfall
Significant producer clare valley
Jim Barry
Grape varieties clare valley
Riesling
Shiraz
Cab sav
What is the climate in clare valley
Warm climate- cool afternoon breeze & cold nights
Altitude - dirural range, not too steep so mechanised
Drought - irrigation, water isdue some years
White grapes altitude, black grapes warmer sites
Low fungal risk
Viticulture clare valley
Some dry farming for premium wines (low yields)
Thick canopy west side - protect from sunburn for riesling
Red wine style clare valley
M to m+ acidity & tannins Pronounced black fruit Minty eucalyptus Good to outstanding Mid to premium
Significant producers adelaide hills
Shaw & shaw
Penfolds
Grape varieties adelaide hills & price & quality
Sau blanc (22%) mid priced, gd to v gd Chardonnay - v gd to outstanding, mid to premium, mlf yes Pinot noir - gd to v gd, mid to premium (delicate floral to spicy style)
What is the climate adelaide hills
Cool to moderate maritime - fungal risk, spraying
Altitude - valley & steep holls, diurnal range, restricts mechanisation
Cooling ocean influence
Irrigation - rainfall mainly winter & soil little water holding ability
Low altitude - riper fruits (more intense sunlight) even at altitude