Australia Flashcards
Major producers in Western Australia?
Cullen, Vasse Felix, Leeuwin Estate, Cape Mentelle, Moss Wood
Margaret River soils
Leeuwin Complex: old granite and gneiss
foret grove: gravel and loam
calcareous sand in the west (less vines here)
Where are most premium producers in Margaret River?
in the Northwest, in Wilyabrup
Cullen, Moss Wood, Vasse Felix, Lenton Brae, Woodlands, Howard Park, etc
Yallingup is second most concentrated with quality producers
Chardonnay clone Margaret River
Gingin- unique to the region, it has looser clusters and varied berry sizes, which helps alleviate mildew and rot pressures near the coast
Zones Western Australia
Greater Perth
SW Australia
Central Western Australia
Eastern Plains, Inland, North of WA
WA Southeast Coastal
Regions within Greater Perth?
(in Western Australia)
Peel GI
Perth Hills GI
Swan District GI (Swan Valley sub region)
Regions within SW Australia?
Margaret River GI
Great Southern GI
Blackwood Valley GI
Geographe GI
Manjimup GI
Pemberton GI
Subregions of Great Southern GI?
(in SW Austrailia, Western Australia)
Denmark GI
Albany GI
Porongurup GI
Frankland River GI
Mount Barker GI
Major grapes Western Australia
red: Cabernet, bdx blends
white: Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc
What is the capitol of Western Australia?
Perth
where Swan River meets SW coast
Margaret River climate and influencing factors
Warm Mediterranean with maritime influence. majority of rainfall is in winter and spring- less than 10% during harvest. temperatures are very consistent year-year.
on coast, near Indian and Southern Oceans, Geographe Bay
Fremantle Doctor: cool afternoon breeze
Margaret River viticultural threats
warm winds off the Indian Ocean invite mildew, botrytis, bunch rot, which also encourage pests. well draining soils are key
What is the Gladstone’s Line?
The “Gladstones Line”—the line of longitude 115° 18’ E—established Margaret River’s modern eastern border, essentially following alongside the Whicher Range. It is the point at which the land stops feeling the ocean’s influence
Margaret River unofficial subzones
Yallingup,
Carbunup,
Wilyabrup,
Treeton,
Wallcliffe,
Karridale
all proposed in 1999 by Dr. John Gladstones
Henschke - where are they based? wines?
based in Eden Valley
Hill of Grace Shiraz: Inaugural vintage 1958.
Hill of Roses Shiraz: Produced from younger vines deemed not ready for the Hill of Grace.
Mount Edelstone Shiraz
Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon
What zones does the Adelaide super zone cover?
Barossa
Fleurieu
Mt Lofty Ranges
Where in Australia are the King and Alpine valleys?
Northeast Victoria
Yalumba- where are they based? What do they make?
Eden Valley, South Australia
The Octavius Old Vine Shiraz
The Signature CS Blend
The Reserve CS
also Viognier
Torbreck- where are they based? What do they make?
Barossa, in South Australia
Woodcutter Shiraz $25
The Pict Mourvedre $100
RunRig Shiraz $200
The Laird Shiraz $800
Cullen- where are they based? What do they make?
Margaret River, Western Australia
Diana Madeline- CS based blend
Also: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
d’Arenberg- where are they based? What do they make?
McLaren Vale, South Australia
Dead Arm Shiraz $60 retail
also: stump jump shiraz $15 retail
When were the first vineyards in Australia planted? Where?
1788, New South Wales
What is CSIRO? Where is it based?
Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organization, based in Adelaide.
Where is Penfolds based? What do they make?
based in Adelaide
Grange: Shiraz
also: CS/ Shiraz blends, Cabernet, Chardonnay (Yattarna)
What is the capitol of New South Wales?
Sydney!
Zones in New South Wales
Hunter Valley
Big Rivers
Central Ranges
Southern New South Wales
Northern Rivers
Northern Slopes
South Coast
Western Plains
Regions in Big Rivers?
(zone in New South Wales, Australia)
Riverina
Murray Darling
Swan Hill
Pericoota
Regions in Central Ranges?
(zone in New South Wales, Australia)
Cowra
Orange
Mudgee
Regions in Hunter Valley?
(zone in New South Wales, Australia)
Hunter
Subregions: Broke Fordwich, Pokolbin, Upper Hunter Valley
Regions in Southern New South Wales?
(zone in New South Wales, Australia)
Canberra
Tumbarumba
Hilltops
Gundagai
What are the major rivers in Riverina?
Murumbidgee, Lachlan, Murray, Darling
NSW
What mountains are in New South Wales?
Great Dividing Range, Snowy Alps
Important grapes in Hunter Valley?
Semillon (Hunter Riesling), Chardonnay, Verdelho
Shiraz, CS
What is the coolest part of New South Wales?
Tumbarumba GI- alpine, cool climate. Produces sparkling wines from PN and Chardonnay
List 3 producers from New South Wales
Tyrrell’s - Semillon, Shiraz
Brokenwood
Clonakilla - Shiraz
De Bortoli- dessert wine
What major city is in Victoria?
Melbourne
What is the climate of the Hunter Valley?
one of the warmest in Australia- hot subtropical, lots of humidity, rain and wind. 20 inches of rainfall in the growing season
What is the climate of Victoria?
Victoria is the smallest and coolest state on the mainland. Cool maritime climate- sea breezes from Antarctica.
List the zones within Victoria
Western Victoria
Northwestern Victoria
Central Victoria
Northeast Victoria
Gippsland
Port Phillip
Port Philip- where is it? Regions and grapes?
zone in Victoria, Australia
Geelong GI
Macedon Ranges GI
Mornington Peninsula GI
Sunbury GI
Yarra Valley GI
Pinot Noir, CS, Shiraz
Regions within Northwest Victoria? Grapes?
Murray Darling
Swan Hill
(shared with Big Rivers, NSW)
Chardonnay, Shiraz
Yarra Valley soil types?
In Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia
grey-brown sandy loam and red basalt soils
Regions within Central Victoria? Grapes
Bendigo
Heathcote
Goulburn Valley (Nagambie Lakes subregion)
Shiraz, and some old Marsanne
Regions within Northeast Victoria? Grapes?
Rutherglen
Glenrowan
sweet fortified wines from Muscadelle, Brown Muscat
What is Topaque?
sweet fortified Muscadelle made in Rutherglen, NE Victoria. Lighter in style than Rugherglen Muscat
Zones within South Australia
Adelaide Superzone:
Barossa
Fleurieu
Mt Lofty Ranges
Limestone Coast
Far North
Lower Murray
The Peninsulas
Regions within the Limestone Coast
(in South Australia)
Coonawarra
Padthaway
Wrattonbully
Robe
Mount Benson
Mount Gambier
Distintive soil type in the Limestone Coast? Which GIs is it in? Grapes?
well drained red terra rossa
Coonawarra, Padthaway
Cabernet. Padthaway also has some Riesling, PG, Chardonnay
GI within Lower Murray Zone?
in South Australia
Riverland GI. continental and hot, low rainfall, high salinity soil
List of GI in Fleurieu? Grapes?
in Southern Australia
McLaren Vale GI
Langhorne Creek GI
Currency Creek GI
Kangaroo Island GI
Southern Fleurieu GI
McLaren Vale. Reds- Cabernet, Shiraz, Grenache, Mourvedre (Mataro)
List 3 wines from Fleurieu
D’Arenberg- Dead Arm Shiraz
Yangarra - High Sands Grenache
Drew Noon - Eclipse Grenache
Clarendon Hills- Astralis Shiraz
Regions within Mount Lofty Ranges?
Adelaide Hills (Lenswood, Picadilly Valley subregions). white + sparkling
Adelaide Plains
Clare Valley
(zone in South Australia)
Clare Valley- where is it?
Climate
Soil
Subzones
Grapes
region within Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia
warm continental climate, limestone and slate soils
Riesling does well on higher altitude west facing slopes
unofficial subzones: Watervale, Polish Hill River, Auburn, Sevenhill, Clare
List 3 Riesling producers in Clare Valley
Jim Barry
Grosset (Polish Hill)
Pikes
Regions and Subregions within Barossa?
Barossa Valley
Eden Valley - subregion High Eden
Producers from Barossa?
Eden Valley:
Yalumba
Pewsey Vale
Henschke
Barossa Valley
Penfolds
Torbreck
Rockford
Peter Lehmann
Regions within Queensland? Grapes
Granite Belt GI
South Burnett GI
Shiraz, Semillon, Chardonnay
Tasmania unofficial subregions?
Unofficial Subregions:
Northern Tasmania: Pipers River, Tamar Valley, North West Coast
Southern Tasmania: Derwent Valley, Huon Valley, Coal River/Richmond, The East Coast (Cranbrook/Bicheno area)
Tasmania climate?
Australia’s coolest- similar to Champagne or Rheingau. Long sunshine hours during growing season
west side of island is much wetter- eastern side is in a rain shadow
Tasmania grapes?
Chardonnay
Riesling
Sauvignon Blanc
Pinot Gris
Pinot Noir*
some Cabernet in Tamar Valley, Coal River
How did South Australia manage to remain free of phylloxera?
SA managed to avoid phylloxera despite ruin in neighboring Victoria’s vineyards by quickly implementing a total ban on imported vine material in 1874.
Where are the world’s oldest Syrah vines?
Barossa, South Australia:
Langmeil’s “Freedom” vineyard, planted in 1843
Also home to what are presumably the world’s oldest Grenache and Mataro/Mourvèdre vines as well: Cirillo owns a three-hectare parcel of Grenache planted in 1850, and Hewitson produces Mataro from the Koch family’s “Old Garden” of vines dating to 1853
What are the 4 categories of old vines under the Barossa Old Vine Charter?
Barossa Old Vine: Min. 35 years old
Barossa Survivor Vine: Min. 70 years old
Barossa Centenarian Vine: Min. 100 years old
Barossa Ancestor Vine: Min. 125 years old
Where is Australia’s oldest Cabernet vineyard?
Penfolds’ “Block 42,” lies in Kalimna in the northern Barossa Valley and dates to 1888
Temperatures in Barossa Valley vs Eden Valley?
Barossa Valley is lower in elevation (100-300 meters above sea level) and daytime temperatures are typically two to three degrees (Celsius) warmer than in Eden Valley.
Eden Valley is cooler, higher in elevation (400-600 meters above sea level) and more sparsely planted
Barossa valley soil types?
deep, loamy clay soils
What style of wine was Barossa originally known for?
In the past, fortified wines drove production in the region—a legacy retained in the wines of Seppeltsfield, whose world-class “100 Year Old Para Vintage Tawny” is a national treasure—but Barossa Shiraz is its most famous product today.
Currently 1923 is available. 1878 was first, released in 1978
What is Scare Earth?
Scarce Earth allows members of McLaren Vale Sustainable Winegrowing Australia (MVSWGA) to submit Shiraz from single sites to an annual tasting panel for possible approval as “Scarce Earth” wines. In 2011, two-dozen wines from key producers like d’Arenberg, Chapel Hill, and Gemtree were selected, and collectively released on the 1st of May the year after the harvest.
To be considered, wines must be produced from vines that are at least ten years of age, and the wines may not be excessively shaded by oak, faults, over- or under-ripeness—fairly fluid decrees determined by taste profile rather than clear numerical guidelines.
Clarendon Hills - where are they based? Top wines made?
McLaren Vale, South Australia
Astralis Syrah: Inaugural vintage 1994.
Hickinbotham Syrah
Piggot Range Syrah
What gepgraphical features influence McLaren Vale?
Gulf of St Vincent
Sellicks Hill Range
List 3 wines from Coonawarra
Wynns - John Riddich Cabernet
Penfolds Bin 620 Cab Shiraz
Parker Coonawarra Estate ‘First Growth’ Cab based blend
What is Australia’s oldest continuously operating winery? Where is it?
In Hunter Valley, George Wyndham founded Australia’s now-oldest continuously operating winery (Wyndham Estate) in 1828
he planted Australia’s first commercial Shiraz vineyard in 1830
What was the area encompassing Pokolbin and Broke Fordwich traditionally known as?
Lower Hunter Valley, but it was not given GI status. Top producers refuse to label Pokolbin.
Top producers in Hunter Valley?
Tyrrell’s, Brokenwood, Thomas Wines, Audrey Wilkinson and McWilliam’s Mt. Pleasant
Mudgee GI- where is it? Grapes?
in Central Ranges, NSW. Borders Hunter GI, but sunnier and drier
Cabernet, Shiraz, Merlot
Orange GI- where is it? At what elevation does it start?
Central Ranges, NSW. GI begins at 600 meters, and rises above 1000 meters.
Cab, Merlot, Shiraz, Chard, PN, SB
Cowra GI- where is it? Grapes
Central Ranges, NSW. southernmost and warmest. known for chardonnay
What is the sole GI of the Northern Rivers Zone?
in NSW
Hastings River GI
too hot to make good wine. some Semillon
What is the sole GI of the Northern Slopes Zone?
In NSW
New England Australia GI
What GIs are within the South Coast Zone?
in NSW
Shoalhaven Coast GI
Southern Highlands GI
What is the largest region in Australia? Which zone produces the most wine?
Riverland in South Australia largest
Big Rivers zone in NSW - most production
What are the most planted grapes in Riverina GI?
In Big Rivers, NSW
Chardonnay, Shiraz, Semillon
Who makes the wine Noble One Botrytis Semillon? Where?
DeBortoli, in Riverina, NSW.
First released in the 1982 vintage, the lusciously sweet “Noble One” quickly rose to the pinnacle of Australian dessert wines, and has garnered an outpouring of international critical praise.
What is the capital of Australia?
Canberra, in NSW
The climate of Canberra GI is closest to which French region?
Northern Rhone, Côte Rotie specifically- mild continental
Compare Shiraz from Canberra vs Hilltops
Canberra is comparable to Côte Rotie- cooler climate, elegant, pretty
Hilltops Shiraz, in comparison with Canberra District fruit, tends to develop deeper color, lower acid, more robust tannins and darker fruit.
NSW
Tumbarumba GI- where is it? Styles made? Climate?
in the Southern NSW Zone. In foothills of the Snowy Alps.
Mostly Chardonnay and PN planted, capable of quality sparkling.
List 3 producers from Canberra
Clonakilla
Nick O’Leary
Lark Hill
Who owns yellow tail? What else do they own?
Casella
Peter Lehman
Casella Family Wines
Morris Rutherglen
What is the capital of Tasmania?
Hobart
What is the center of wine production on Tasmania?
Tamar Valley, in northern Tasmania
Most important part of southern Tasmania?
Coal River
Describe the climate of Tasmania
The climate of Northern Tasmania is similar to that of Champagne or the Rheingau, and Southern Tasmania is even cooler, although long sunshine hours during the growing season promote slow, even ripening
Quite a bit of rain in the west, but Hobart in the east is Australia’s second driest capital after Adelaida
What separates Tasmania from mainland Australia?
The Bass Straight
Between which lattitudes does Tasmania lie?
40-44 south
Describe the topography of Tasmania
Tasmania is Australia’s most mountainous state, with multiple mountain ranges criss-crossing the centre of the island. The highest point is Mount Ossa in the north-west, its peak sitting at 1,620 meters (5,300ft) above sea level.
List 3 producers Tasmania
Jansz - sparkling
Tolpuddle - chard / pn
Chatto
Stoney Rise
House of Arras
Who founded Jansz? Who owns it now?
founded in the early 1980s as a joint venture between Louis Roederer and Heemskerk Wines,
now owned by Yalumba (??)
Who makes Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz? Where?
Brokenwood, Hunter Valley, NSW
$170 retail
Which wines from NSW are Langton’s 1st Classified?
Brokenwood Wines Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz
Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Semillon
NSW wine demoted from Langton’s Exceptional in 8th edition?
in 2023- Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier demoted to Classified
What are the Langton’s Exceptional wines from Western Australia?
Leeuwin, Art Series Chardonnay $110
Cullen, Diana Madeline Cabernet Merlot $110
both from Margaret River
Western Australia Langton’s Exceptional demoted in 2023?
8th edition of classification. Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon is now Classified
Langton’s 2023 changes
8th version of the classification. Now only 100 wines are classified. 21 are 1st Classified, 79 are just classified
19 new to the list. Was previously 3 categories, now just 2
What bodies of water surround Margaret River GI?
in SW Australia, Western Australia
Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, Geographe Bay
Hunter Valley soil types?
Alluvial - semillon thrives here
Red volcanic loam - shiraz likes tihs
Murray Darling GI - where?
in both Victoria and NSW (Big Rivers)
Pericoota GI - where?
in Big Rivers Zone, NSW
Riverina GI - where?
Big Rivers Zone, NSW
Swan Hill GI - where?
in both Victoria and NSW (Big Rivers)
Gundagai GI - where?
Southern NSW
only fine wine region in Australia not sheltered by Great Dividing Range?
Hunter Valley. The mountains protect from rain, heat, humidity and other extreme weather
Which wine is known as “baby Grange?”
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz. McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Padthaway
12 months in American oak, 33% new
Langton’s First Classified wines from Victoria (7)
Bass Phillip Wines Reserve Pinot Noir
Best’s Great Western Thomson Family Shiraz
Bindi Block 5 Pinot Noir
Giaconda Estate Vineyard Chardonnay
Mount Mary Pinot Noir
Mount Mary Quintet
Yarra Yering Dry Red Wine No.1 Cabernet
Langton’s First Classified - new wines in Victoria 2023
Bindi Block 5 Pinot Noir
Mount Mary Pinot Noir
Yarra Yering Dry Red No. 1 Cabernet
Langton’s First Classified wines from South Australia (10)
Henschke Hill Of Grace Shiraz
Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz
Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz (“baby Grange”)
Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon
Penfolds Bin 95 Grange Shiraz
Penfolds Bin 144 Yattarna Chardonnay (Adelaide Hills AND Tasmania)
Rockford Basket Press Shiraz
Torbreck Runrig Shiraz
Wendouree Shiraz
Wynn’s Coonawarra Estate John Riddoch
South Australia wines demoted from Langton’s exceptional in 2023
Chris Ringland Dry Grown Barossa Ranges Shiraz
Clarendon Hills Astralis Syrah
Grosset Polish Hill Riesling
Jim Barry Armagh Shiraz
all are now Classified, rather than First Classified
Which wine was removed from Langton’s classification in the 8th edition?
Seppeltsfield 100 year Para Vintage Tawny. Was Exceptional, now is entirely off the list
Mountains of South Australia
Flinders and Mount Lofty ranges
who is often considered the ‘father of the Australian wine industry?’
James Busby. A Scottish immigrant. He studied wine in France and set sail for Sydney in 1824 at the age of 22. He planted vines in the modern day Hunter Valley area.
George Wyndham - also important. planted the first commercial shiraz plantings in Australia
Maurice O’Shea - known as father of ‘modern Australian wine industry’ - saved table wine industry in the Hunter in the 1920s. Founded Mt. Pleasant
oldest Marsanne vines in the world?
Tahblick’s vineyard in Nagambie Lakes GI, in Central Victoria. Planted 1927
Tamar River Valley vs Champagne - sun and temperature
Tamar gets about 2550 annual sunshine hours, average temp in January is 63 F
Champagne gets 1650 annual sunshine hours, avg 73 F in July
Pipers River vs Tamar River - size? climate?
Tamar is wider, and the area is higher in elevation, so greater frost risk. Tamar is generally warmer though.
Winemaker behind Grange?
Max Schubert. grenache aged in new american oak. needs time- first tastings of the wine had everyone hating it but he persisted and it eventually caught traction. the wines in fashion at the time (early 1950s) were more claret in style, and lighter
Vasse Felix bottlings
Margaret River
Tom Cullity- flagship Cabernet
Heytesbury - flagship Chardonnay
Filius- CS, Shiraz, Chard, SB/Semillion
Jim Barry bottlings
Clare Valley
The Armagh - flagship Shiraz
The McRae Wood Shiraz
The Benbournie Cabernet
Spring Farm Block - several varieties
…. so many bottlings
