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WSET Diploma D3 > Australia > Flashcards

Australia Flashcards

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
Sub-regions
Recognise areas with particular climates, topography, soil. 14 sub-regions registered
26
LIP
Label Integrity Programme Introduced 1990 85% GI, Vintage, or Grape if it is stated on the label Varieties stated by percentage (most to least)
27
South Eastern Australia Zone
Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, plus south-eastern corners of South Australia and Queensland Inexpensive, high volume wine Mostly Murray-Darling Basin
28
Riverland, Murray-Darling, Riverina
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)
29
South Australia
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
30
South Australia: Barossa Zone
North of Adelaide Barossa Valley on valley floor, Eden Valley in hills to the east Shiraz
31
South Australia, Barossa Zone: Barossa Valley
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
32
South Australia, Barossa Zone: Eden Valley
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
33
Mount Lofty Ranges Zone
range of mountains east of Adelaide, surrounding Barossa on 3 sides Most important areas are Adelaide Hills and Clare Valley
34
Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide Hills
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
35
Adelaide Hills SB
Riper fruit flavours, high acidity, medium alcohol
36
Adelaide Hills Chard
Medium (+) to high acidity, medium body, malo, oak, lees
37
Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley
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
Clare Valley Riesling
High acidity (higher than Eden Valley), lime character, Polish Hill: slate soils, flintier, neutral in youth Waterfale: more floral, younger-drinking
39
Fleurieu Zone
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
Fleurieu Zone, McLaren Vale
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
Limestone Coast
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
Limestone Coast, Coonawarra
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
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignin
Medium to full-bodied, medium alcohol, high & firm tannins, dark fruit, mint & eucalyptus
44
Coonawarra Shiraz
Lighter than Barossa, but still minty/eucalyptus
45
Victoria
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
Port Phillip Zone
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
Port Phillip Zone, Yarra Valley
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
Yarra Valley Pinot Noir
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
Yarra Valley Chardonnay
White peach, grapefruit, melon, higher acidity Sometimes high degree of solids for more reductive flavours
50
Yarra Valley Shiraz
medium bodied, black & red fruit, spicy, some whole bunch
51
Yarra Valley Cab
Medium bodied, herbal
52
Port Phillip Zone, Mornington Peninsula
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
Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir
Light bodied with perfumed red fruits and med (+) acidity to warm, ripe, with higher tannin
54
Port Phillip Zone, Geelong
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
Port Phillip Zone, Macedon Ranges
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
Western Victoria Zone
Large zone, Port Phillip Zone to South Australian border Most important regions: Grampians and Pyrenees
57
Western Victoria Zone, Grampians
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
Western Victoria Zone, Pyrenees
east of Grampians gentle slopes, warmer than Grampians Medium bodied Shiraz with red and black fruit
59
Western Victoria Zone, Henty
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
North East Victoria Zone
200km inland from Melbourne, continental climate Warm flat plains of Rutherglen to cool upper King Valley in the foothills of Great Dividing Range
61
North East Victoria Zone, King Valley
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
North East Victoria Zone, Beechworth
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
Central Victoria Zone
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
Central Victoria Zone, Heathcote
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
Central Victoria Zone, Gippsland Zone
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
New South Wales
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
New South Wales, Hunter Valley Zone
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
New South Wales, Hunter Valley Zone, Lower Hunter
closer to coast, sea breezes, undulating hills at low altitude. Sandy loam to clay loam, over clay base
69
New South Wales, Central Ranges Zone
Three regions: Mudgee, Orange, Cowra Mudgee and Cowra are lower and warmer
70
New South Wales, Central Ranges Zone, Mudgee
northernmost, protected by Great Dividing Range, lower rainfall Continental climate, but high altitude, frost an issue
71
New South Wales, Central Ranges Zone, Orange
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
Southern New South Wales Zone
Inland area south of Sydney to Victoria border Hills and Snowy mountains protect from maritime influence Continental climate 4 small regions: Canberra District
73
Southern New South Wales Zone, Canberra District
500-850m altitude winter and spring cold/frost irrigation necessary autumn rain Shiraz and Riesling
74
Southern New South Wales Zone, Hilltops and Tumbarumba
Continental climate with cool nights Hilltops: Shiraz, Cab, Chardonnay Tumbarumba: Pinot and Chardonnay for sparkling
75
Tasmania
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
Tasmanian Pinot Noir
Light to medium bodied, medium (+) to high acidity, medium alcohol, red fruit
77
Tasmanian Chardonnay
medium bodied with medium alcohol, apple, white peach, pear, high acidity, usual MLF and barrel fermentation
78
South West Australia Zone
Margaret River and Great Southern
79
South West Australia Zone, Margaret River
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
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Blended with Merlot Medium (+) acidity and medium (+) to full body, high ripe tannin, black fruit, spice Mostly French oak
81
Margaret River Chardonnay
high in acidity, medium (+) to full body, stone fruit, usually no MLF
82
Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc
blended with Semillon High acidity, grassy, gooseberry to tripical
83
South West Australia Zone, Great Southern
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
South West Australia Zone, Great Southern Sub-Regions
Albany & Denmark: maritime Mount Barker, Porongurup, Frankland River: continental with wide diurnal range Frankland River: Drier
85
Wine Australia
Goverment authority that funds research and promotes
86
Exports
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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