Australia Flashcards
Export in Australia?
5th largest exporter
Focus started in 1980s
Pioneered labeling wines by varietal and providing taste descriptors
UK, China, US, Canada, Germany
Topography in Australia?
Great Dividing Range protects South-Eastern vineyards from tropical weather
Murray-Darling basin provides irrigation, but running low
Climate in Australia:
Intense sunshine
Low humidity
Low rainfall
Bush fires
Soil salinity issues
Viticulture in Australia:
Drip irrigation encouraged
Divided canopy systems control vigour - Scott-Henry and Smart-Dyson
Mechanization common
Harvest at night
Birds and Kangaroo
Sustainability in Australia?
Sustainable Winegrowing Australia
25% of vineyards/production
Describe Shiraz:
25% of total vineyard area
Two styles:
- Barossa/McLaren: Full bodied, high alc, high/soft tannin, dark fruit, earthy, spicy, leathery with age
- Yarra/Grampians: med body, med alc, less fruity, red/black cherry, black pepper
Style of Shiraz:
Evolving over the past 10-20yrs
Moving to less intense, more approachable
Reducing oak, switching to French
Reducing extraction
Where is Cab Sauv grown in Australia?
Coonawarra (mint/eucalyptus)
Margaret River (riper, herbal, blended with Merlot)
Describe Pinot Noir in Australia:
Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Tasmania
Med body
Med alc
Med/High acid
Cherry/Strawberry
Whole bunch/cold maceration/French oak common
Describe Grenache in Australia:
Commonly used in GSM blends
1% of total fruit
Old bush vines common
White varietals in Australia?
Chardonnay
Sauv Blanc
Pinot Grigio
Semillon
Riesling
Muscat Gordo Blanco
Colombard
Describe Hunter Valley Semillon?
Low alcohol
High acid
Unoaked
Neutral wine
Develops aromatic complexity with age
Regional laws of Australia:
Geographical Indications (GIs) developed in 1990s
Zones (no laws)
Regions (63 registered)
Sub-Regions (14 registered)
Labeling laws in Australia:
Governed by Label Integrity Programme (LIP) - introduced 1990
85% Varietal
Australia Grape and Wine Authority (Wine Australia) oversees LIP
Describe South Eastern Australia:
Covers Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania
Most grapes for inexpensive wines from Murray-Darling Basin
- Riverland, Murray-Darling, and Riverina regions
Hot, continental
Very low rainfall
Shiraz/Chard/Semillon
Describe Griffin:
Within Riverina/South Eastern Australia
Known for sweet, botrytised Semillon