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WSET Diploma D3 > Australia > Flashcards

Australia Flashcards

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1
Q

Australian Wine History

A
  • 1788 vines brought by settlers
  • 1850’s first exports - phylloxera in Europe gave opportunity
  • Domestic demand grew from tourists returning from Europe
  • 1950’s rise of the big companies (Orlando/Jacob’s Creek, Lindeman, Hardys, Penfolds)
  • Late 1980’s - shift to export market, marketing body Wines of Australia embraced modern advertising
  • Style shift to big, oak (vanilla),
  • Peak in late 2000’s at 170k ha, financial crisis, South American competitors, droughts pushing up irrigation costs
  • premiumisation has kept Australian wines in the game
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2
Q

Climate

A

Inland (Murray-Darling Basin), hot continental

Coastal areas are maritime

Coonawara maritime even though not close to coast

Great Dividing Range provides altitude (Orange, Grampians, Macedon)

Rain shadow from mountains: Riverland only gets 150mm rain, but on the other side Hunter Valley gets 500 and is hot and humid

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3
Q

Soil

A

Varied

Coonawarra has distinctive red soil (terra rossa)

McLaren Vale - over 40 unique soil types

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4
Q

Vineyard Management: Lack of Water

A

Murray-Darling Basin for irrigation, not always enough

Adelaide Hills and Margaret River have higher winter rainfall and store in dams

McLaren Vale and Coonawarra have underground water sources, also pioneering recycled water

Drip irrigation most often used to conserve water

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5
Q

Vineyard Management: Vigorous Vines

A

Old vines combat high vigour

divided canopy systems like Scott-Henry or Smart-Dyson

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6
Q

Vineyard Management: Labour

A

Fairly expensive, so mechanised where possible.

Not many steep slopes

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7
Q

Vineyard Management: Soil Salinity

A

Not enough rainfall to carry away salt deposits and water from underground aquifers find their way up.

Can make it hard to vines to get nutrients - Chardonnay particularly vulnerable.

Rootstock selection (based on v. berlandieri)

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8
Q

Vineyard Management: Wildfires

A

Diluting tainted grapes

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9
Q

Vineyard Management: Sustainability

A

Many areas dry so very good for organic viticulture

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10
Q

Vineyard Management: Pests

A

Birds and Kangaroos

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11
Q

Grape Varieties

A 
Black Grapes: (54%)
Shiraz
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Pinot Noir
Grenache
Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Pinot Grigio
Semillon
Riesling
Muscat Gordo Blanco
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12
Q

Grape Varieties: Shiraz

A

25% total harvested fruit

hotter areas (Barossa and McLaren Vale): full-bodied, high alcohol, high soft tannin, dark fruit, earhty & spicy

cooler areas (Yarra, Grampians): less full bodied, higher acidity, some red fruit, black pepper

Very good and Outstanding: made in open fermenters with punch downs/pumpover for soft extraction

GSM Blends, co-fermented with Viognier, blended with CS

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13
Q

Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon

A

Higher in acidity and tannin than Shiraz, ripe black fruit, (blackcurrant and cherry), with oak.

Coonawarra: eucalyptus

Margaret River: blended with Merlot, herbal notes, slightly riper

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14
Q

Grape Varieties: Merlot

A

Mostly in blends.

As single-varietal: medium bodied with medium tannin and red fruit to fuller bodied with riper, black fruit character

Better clones have been planted recently, leading to better quality

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15
Q

Grape Varieties: Pinot Noir

A

In cool and moderate areas like Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, and Tasmania.

Medium-bodied with medium alcohol, medium to high acidity, red fruit.

Whole bunch fermentation, cold maceration for colour and flavour, and stem inclusion for tannic structure.

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16
Q

Grape Varieties: Grenache

A

Only 1%, used in GSM blends

Old vines for single varietal in McLaren Vale, Eden Valley, Barossa Valley

Traditionally low acidity, high alcohol, and jammy. Now picked earlier, higher acidity, lower alcohol, fresher red fruit.

Sometimes whole bunch or stem inclusion for aromas & colour.

Small new oak overwhelms flavours, so older/bigger oak vessels used.

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17
Q

Grape Varieties: Chardonnay

A

Big range of styles/prices

Inexpensive: Tank fermented, oak chips/staves if any, sometimes blended with Semillon (Chard brings ripe fruit flavours)

Higher end: medium to medium (+) acidity, well-integrated oak, ambient yeast, high level of solids during ferment, oak fermentation, malo (in cooler areas where there is enough acidity), lees ageing, barrel maturation.

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18
Q

Grape Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc

A

Cooler climates - mid priced wines
Hotter climate - large volume, inexpensive wine

Less herbaceous than Marlborough.

Adelaide Hills: premium, with intense fruit character from citrus to tropical. Sometimes oaked/lees. Sometimes blended with Semillon.

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19
Q

Grape Varieties: Pinot Grigio

A

picked early for neutral style like Veneto, or riper for for style like Alsace (riper, fruitier, spicier).

Labelled Pinot Grigio for neutral style, Pinot Gris for fuller-bodied style

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20
Q

Grape Varieties: Semillon

A

Blended with SB, Chard, or as single varietal

Low alcohol, high acidity from Hunter Valley. Neutral when young, but develops complexity.

Barossa Valley has fuller body, higher alcohol, oak (not as age-worthy as Hunter Valley). Recently picking earlier for lighter style.

Riverina of New South Wales: noble rot for sweet wines

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21
Q

Grape Varieties: Riesling

A

Clare Valley, Eden Valley, Great Southern, Canberra, Tasmania.

Some sweet, but usually dry with high acidity. Apple, lemon, grapefruit, peach.

Premium using free range only. Some wine makers experimenting with skin contact.

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22
Q

Grape Varieties: Muscat Gordo Blanco and Colombard

A

Muscat of Alexandria = Muscat Gordo Blanco, for sparkling Moscato

Riverland

Cheap blended wines

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23
Q

Zones

A

Largest area, no rules, not terroir-led,

Can be entire state or multiple states (South Eastern Australia)

Most states divided into smaller zones

South Australia smaller zones: Barossa, Mount Lofty Ranges, Fleurieu (which are also the Adelaide “super zone”

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24
Q

Regions

A

Smaller than zones

63 registered

Coonawarra, Clare Valley, Margaret River,

Must produce at least 500 tonnes of grapes/year across 5 differently owned vineyards of 5ha each.

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25
Q

Sub-regions

A

Recognise areas with particular climates, topography, soil.

14 sub-regions registered

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26
Q

LIP

A

Label Integrity Programme

Introduced 1990

85% GI, Vintage, or Grape if it is stated on the label

Varieties stated by percentage (most to least)

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27
Q

South Eastern Australia Zone

A

Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, plus south-eastern corners of South Australia and Queensland

Inexpensive, high volume wine

Mostly Murray-Darling Basin

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28
Q

Riverland, Murray-Darling, Riverina

A

Large wine producing areas in South Eastern Australia Zone

Hot Continental

Riverland has slight maritime influence

Shiraz, Chardonnay, Semillon (Riverina - botrytised Semillon in Griffith area of Riverina)

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29
Q

South Australia

A

Largest wine-producing state, 50% total weight of harvested fruit.

Southeast corner near coast

Smaller zones: Barossa, Mount Lofty Ranges, Fleurieu, Limestone Coast, Lower Murray Zone

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30
Q

South Australia: Barossa Zone

A

North of Adelaide

Barossa Valley on valley floor, Eden Valley in hills to the east

Shiraz

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31
Q

South Australia, Barossa Zone: Barossa Valley

A

protected by Eden Valley hills to the east, low hills to the west, Adelaide hills (Mount Lofty Ranges) to the south

one of Australia’s largest regions: 11,000 ha

160mm rainfall, irrigation necessary

full, ripe reds

Old vine Shiraz and Grenache, Cab Sauv, Chardonnay, Semillon

Semillon: higher alcohol, fuller body than Hunter Valley

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32
Q

South Australia, Barossa Zone: Eden Valley

A

Rolling exposed hills, part of Mount Lofty Ranges

up to 600m above sea level, sometimes too steep for mechanisation

230mm rainfall, good water-holding soil

Old vine Shiraz and Riesling, Grenache,

Eden Valley Riesling: dry, high acidity, medium alcohol
Eden Valley Shiraz: higher acidity, lower alcohol, structure tannins

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33
Q

Mount Lofty Ranges Zone

A

range of mountains east of Adelaide, surrounding Barossa on 3 sides

Most important areas are Adelaide Hills and Clare Valley

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34
Q

Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide Hills

A

Valleys and steep hills restrict mechanisation

Cool to moderate maritime climate

280-320mm rainfall in winter and spring (can interrupt fruit set), caught in dams and used for irrigation - also water from underground sources

Higher humidity

SB, Chard, Pinot in the higher altitude vineyards, full-bodied reds (Shiraz) in the lower, west-facing slopes

Latitude gives intense sunlight, so flavours are riper

Sub regions: Picadilly Valley and Lenswood

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35
Q

Adelaide Hills SB

A

Riper fruit flavours, high acidity, medium alcohol

36
Q

Adelaide Hills Chard

A

Medium (+) to high acidity, medium body, malo, oak, lees

37
Q

Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley

A

Northern most part of the Mount Lofty Ranges.

Warm, but cool afternoon breezes and nights. High diurnal range

Ridges & hills with valleys: microclimates

Whites on high slopes, reds lower

Small family wineries

250mm rainfall, mostly in winter, dams built to use water for irrigation, low humidity

Riesling 35% of grapes, intense sunlight - need to protect from sunburn,

Shiraz, Cab Sauv: med to med (+) acid and tannin, ripe black fruit, mint & eucalyptus

38
Q

Clare Valley Riesling

A

High acidity (higher than Eden Valley), lime character,

Polish Hill: slate soils, flintier, neutral in youth
Waterfale: more floral, younger-drinking

39
Q

Fleurieu Zone

A

South of Adelaide, with Gulf St. Vincent to the north and Southern Ocean to the south

Mediterranean, with cool breezes moderating.

McLaren Vale is best known

40
Q

Fleurieu Zone, McLaren Vale

A

Northern end of peninsula

Warm to hot summers, winds from Gulf and Adelaide Hills moderate and lower disease risk (organic & biodynamic)

Less than 200mm rainfall

7200 ha, vineyards on undulating hills

Many microclimates and lots of soil types (north has poorer soils, south is more fertile & more vigourous Shiraz & Grenache)

Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, mediterranean varieties: deeply coloured, full-bodied, high alcohol, dark fruit

Old vines

Large vineyards, mechanised

Sustainable Winegrowing Australia

41
Q

Limestone Coast

A

south-eastern corner of South Australia

Cooler climate, moderating sea breezes give high diurnal range

flat, so maritime influence extends inland

High quality areas: Coonawarra, Mount Benson, Padthaway, Wrattonbully

42
Q

Limestone Coast, Coonawarra

A

Moderate maritime, similar to Bdx except warmer/drier

100km from coast, but flat so maritime influence extends

260mm rainfall, can disrupt flowering

Spring frost hazard

underground aquifers for irrigation

Terra rossa soil: a strip of free-draining, iron-rich soil over limestone, hard for roots to penetrate limestone, soil is alkaline (harder to take up nutrients). Controls vigour and concentrates wine.

Cabernet Sauvignon over 50%, also Shiraz, Riesling

Isolated, so labour is an issue

43
Q

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignin

A

Medium to full-bodied, medium alcohol, high & firm tannins, dark fruit, mint & eucalyptus

44
Q

Coonawarra Shiraz

A

Lighter than Barossa, but still minty/eucalyptus

45
Q

Victoria

A

State of Victoria split into six smaller zones:
Port Phillip Zone, Western Victoria, Central Victoria, North Eastern Victoria, North West Victoria

Murray Darling Basin for high volume, otherwise quality over quantity

46
Q

Port Phillip Zone

A

Around Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay

Moderation from sea breezes and altitude

Suitable for early-ripening Pinot and Chard. Some sites warm enough for Shiraz & Cab Sauv

47
Q

Port Phillip Zone, Yarra Valley

A

Cool to moderate climate

altitude 50 to 350m

Upper Yarra: cooler
Lower Yara: warmer

frost risk in hills

1100mm rainfall

500mm during growing season, high humidity

State of Victoria split into six smaller zones:
Port Phillip Zone, Western Victoria, Central Victoria, North Eastern Victoria, North West Victoria

Murray Darling Basin for high volume, otherwise quality over quantity

Pinot Noir & Chardonnay mostly, some Shiraz and Cab

48
Q

Yarra Valley Pinot Noir

A

light to medium bodied

Lighter: from higher altitude vineyards, whole bunch fermentation for fruitier style

Medium bodied from warmer sites, riper, usually aged in large oak barrels

49
Q

Yarra Valley Chardonnay

A

White peach, grapefruit, melon, higher acidity

Sometimes high degree of solids for more reductive flavours

50
Q

Yarra Valley Shiraz

A

medium bodied, black & red fruit, spicy, some whole bunch

51
Q

Yarra Valley Cab

A

Medium bodied, herbal

52
Q

Port Phillip Zone, Mornington Peninsula

A

Port Phillip Bay on one side, Bass Strait on the other

cool to moderate climate, wind and maritime influence moderate the high sunshine hours

Wind reduces disease but also interrupts flowering

320-290mm rainfall

Red Hill ridge provides microclimates & altitude - red basalt soil which retains water. Vigour can be an issue - use Lyre trellising

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, some Shiraz and Pinot Gris

53
Q

Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir

A

Light bodied with perfumed red fruits and med (+) acidity to warm, ripe, with higher tannin

54
Q

Port Phillip Zone, Geelong

A

to the west of Melbourne, includes Bellarine Peninsula

Cool climate (Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait)

500-600mm rainfall, lower than Yarra

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in cooler sites, Cabernet and Shiraz in warmer

riper and fuller Chard and PN than Yarra (some black fruit for PN)

Medium body/acid Chard

Medium Shiraz with red and black fruit

55
Q

Port Phillip Zone, Macedon Ranges

A

Northeast of Melbourne, part of Great Dividing Range, 300-800m altitude

Small, only 215 ha and 40 wineries

One of coolest climate in Australia mainland

Shallow, granitic sandy loam on hillside reduces yield

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling

Black pepper Shiraz, but needs warm site and warm year

56
Q

Western Victoria Zone

A

Large zone, Port Phillip Zone to South Australian border

Most important regions: Grampians and Pyrenees

57
Q

Western Victoria Zone, Grampians

A

moderate climate, 130km inland

240-440m altitude, wide diurnal range

250mm rainfall, but loamy soil holds water well

Acidic soils that must be treated with lime, or poor vigour

Medium bodied Shiraz with red and black fruit

58
Q

Western Victoria Zone, Pyrenees

A

east of Grampians

gentle slopes, warmer than Grampians

Medium bodied Shiraz with red and black fruit

59
Q

Western Victoria Zone, Henty

A

far southwest corner of Victoria

Coldest mainland region, cold Antarctic winds, but high sunshine hours

sea level to 460m altitude

Riesling with high acidity and lemon and lime, toasty with bottle age

Also Chard, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Cab Sauv

60
Q

North East Victoria Zone

A

200km inland from Melbourne, continental climate

Warm flat plains of Rutherglen to cool upper King Valley in the foothills of Great Dividing Range

61
Q

North East Victoria Zone, King Valley

A

up to 860m altitude, some of highest in Australia

Cool and high rainfall, heavy disease pressure

well-draining loam with high fertility

Equal black and white grapes

Italian immigrants - sparkling wine from Glera, lots of PInot Gris

Merlot and Cab, but also Sangiovese, Barbera, Nebbiolo

62
Q

North East Victoria Zone, Beechworth

A

In hills south of Rutherglen, 200m to 1000m in altitude

Chardonnay - medium bodied with medium to high acidity and medium alcohol

Shiraz - Medium bodied, with black and red fruit and medium firm tannin

Pinot, Sangio, Nebbiolo

63
Q

Central Victoria Zone

A

Flat plains of Goulburn Valley and Bendigo: ripe, full-bodied reds, whites from Rhone varieties

Upper Goulbourn in the foothills of Great Dividing Range: Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauv Blanc

Heathcote: Shiraz

64
Q

Central Victoria Zone, Heathcote

A

Narrow strip along side of Mount Carmel Range

160-320m

250mm during growing season

Calcareous red soil from weathered greenstone, retains water

Shiraz 50%: medium (+) acidity, high alcohol, ripe dark fruit, sweet spices

65
Q

Central Victoria Zone, Gippsland Zone

A

One of largest zones in Victoria, from Melbourne to Victoria eastern border

more than 50 wineries, mostly small family ones

420-530mm rain

Chardonnay and PN, some Cab and Merlot in warmer sites

66
Q

New South Wales

A

East coast of Australia

sub-tropical climate, with moderate to high temperatures, high humidity, and rainfall throughout the year

Hunter Valley is most famous region

Other regions are protected from tropical weather by Great Dividing Range and are continental climate

67
Q

New South Wales, Hunter Valley Zone

A

200km north of Sydney

Hunter is the only region, 2600ha, unofficially split into Lower Hunter and Upper Hunter

Almost tropical, hot and humid, low latitude

500mm rainfall during growing season

Semillon

Chardonnay, Shiraz

68
Q

New South Wales, Hunter Valley Zone, Lower Hunter

A

closer to coast, sea breezes, undulating hills at low altitude.

Sandy loam to clay loam, over clay base

69
Q

New South Wales, Central Ranges Zone

A

Three regions: Mudgee, Orange, Cowra

Mudgee and Cowra are lower and warmer

70
Q

New South Wales, Central Ranges Zone, Mudgee

A

northernmost, protected by Great Dividing Range, lower rainfall

Continental climate, but high altitude, frost an issue

71
Q

New South Wales, Central Ranges Zone, Orange

A

Slope of Mount Canobolas, 600-900m

Red volcanic basalt soils, yellow/brown clay loam, shallow gravel

Windy

Black grapes on lower slopes, Shiraz and Cab

Chardinnay and some SB, PG on higher slopes

72
Q

Southern New South Wales Zone

A

Inland area south of Sydney to Victoria border

Hills and Snowy mountains protect from maritime influence

Continental climate

4 small regions: Canberra District

73
Q

Southern New South Wales Zone, Canberra District

A

500-850m altitude

winter and spring cold/frost

irrigation necessary

autumn rain

Shiraz and Riesling

74
Q

Southern New South Wales Zone, Hilltops and Tumbarumba

A

Continental climate with cool nights

Hilltops: Shiraz, Cab, Chardonnay

Tumbarumba: Pinot and Chardonnay for sparkling

75
Q

Tasmania

A

250km south of mainland separated by Bass Strait

Cool, maritime climate

rainfall mostly on west coast not in vineyard area

Unofficial regions: Coal River Valley, Tamar Valley, Piper’s River

Southern Tasmania cooler, long sunshine hours, north and east exposure

South east is drier - irrigatio
North and West 250mm rainfall in growing season, humid, spring frosts

Pinot Noir and Chard, some Riesling, SB, Pinot Gris, some Merlot, CS, Shiraz in warmer sites.

76
Q

Tasmanian Pinot Noir

A

Light to medium bodied, medium (+) to high acidity, medium alcohol, red fruit

77
Q

Tasmanian Chardonnay

A

medium bodied with medium alcohol, apple, white peach, pear, high acidity, usual MLF and barrel fermentation

78
Q

South West Australia Zone

A

Margaret River and Great Southern

79
Q

South West Australia Zone, Margaret River

A

Peninsula sw corner of Australia

Indian Ocean to north and west and Southern Ocean to south

Days are warm - Southern ocean cools but Indian ocean is warm

Maritime

1000mm but mostly in winter

flat region with gentle hills, 40-90m

Ridge down center with free draining gravel soils

5700ha, mostly Cabernet with Merlot, some SB, Chard, Semillon

80
Q

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

A

Blended with Merlot

Medium (+) acidity and medium (+) to full body, high ripe tannin, black fruit, spice

Mostly French oak

81
Q

Margaret River Chardonnay

A

high in acidity, medium (+) to full body, stone fruit, usually no MLF

82
Q

Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc

A

blended with Semillon

High acidity, grassy, gooseberry to tripical

83
Q

South West Australia Zone, Great Southern

A

5 sub regions: Albany and Denmark, Mount Barker, Porongurup, Frankland River

Black varieties 55%, Shiraz dominant

Cabernet Sauvignon in Mount Barker and warmer parts of Denmark - intense and powerful

Cabernet Sauvignon from Porongurup, more elegant and savoury

Riesling

SB from Albany and Denmark - green and herbaceous

84
Q

South West Australia Zone, Great Southern Sub-Regions

A

Albany & Denmark: maritime

Mount Barker, Porongurup, Frankland River: continental with wide diurnal range

Frankland River: Drier

85
Q

Wine Australia

A

Goverment authority that funds research and promotes

86
Q

Exports

A

5th largest wine exporter

2/3 average production

UK, China, USA, Canada, Germany

Cellar Door and wine tourism

Less common varieties popular domestically

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