Australia Flashcards by Kathryn Aldrich

Export in Australia?

5th largest exporter
Focus started in 1980s
Pioneered labeling wines by varietal and providing taste descriptors
UK, China, US, Canada, Germany

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Topography in Australia?

Great Dividing Range protects South-Eastern vineyards from tropical weather
Murray-Darling basin provides irrigation, but running low

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Climate in Australia:

Intense sunshine
Low humidity
Low rainfall
Bush fires
Soil salinity issues

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Viticulture in Australia:

Drip irrigation encouraged
Divided canopy systems control vigour - Scott-Henry and Smart-Dyson
Mechanization common
Harvest at night
Birds and Kangaroo

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Sustainability in Australia?

Sustainable Winegrowing Australia
25% of vineyards/production

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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

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Style of Shiraz:

Evolving over the past 10-20yrs
Moving to less intense, more approachable
Reducing oak, switching to French
Reducing extraction

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Where is Cab Sauv grown in Australia?

Coonawarra (mint/eucalyptus)
Margaret River (riper, herbal, blended with Merlot)

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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

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Describe Grenache in Australia:

Commonly used in GSM blends
1% of total fruit
Old bush vines common

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White varietals in Australia?

Chardonnay
Sauv Blanc
Pinot Grigio
Semillon
Riesling
Muscat Gordo Blanco
Colombard

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Describe Hunter Valley Semillon?

Low alcohol
High acid
Unoaked
Neutral wine
Develops aromatic complexity with age

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Regional laws of Australia:

Geographical Indications (GIs) developed in 1990s
Zones (no laws)
Regions (63 registered)
Sub-Regions (14 registered)

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Labeling laws in Australia:

Governed by Label Integrity Programme (LIP) - introduced 1990
85% Varietal
Australia Grape and Wine Authority (Wine Australia) oversees LIP

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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

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Describe Griffin:

Within Riverina/South Eastern Australia
Known for sweet, botrytised Semillon

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Describe South Australia:

Largest area, 50% of total
8 smaller zones, including Barossa

Describe Barossa:

Includes Barossa Valley and Eden Valley
Shiraz dominant

Describe Barossa Valley:

Warm climate, high diurnal
Low rainfall
Vine pull scheme in 1980s
2009 - Barossa Old Vine Charter - preserve/promote old vines
Shiraz 66%

Describe Eden Valley:

Strong wind
Higher rainfall than Barossa
Known for old vine plantings - Shiraz, Riesling, Grenache
Equal black/white varietals

Describe Eden Valley Riesling:

Dry
High acid
Med alc
Stainless steel
Lemon, lime, floral
Gains honey, nuttiness, and toast with age
Premium wines aged for many years before release

Describe Mount Lofty Ranges

Includes Adelaide Hills and Clare Valley

Describe Adelaide Hills:

Steep hillsides (restricted mechanization)
Cool to moderate maritime
High diurnal range
Whites 64% - Sauv Blanc, Chard (with ML, oak, lees), Pinot Noir

Describe Clare Valley:

Warm, but cool breezes and nights
Many small, family owned vineyards
Known for Riesling - needs protection from sunburn
Shiraz, Cab Sauv

Describe Fleurieu Zone:

Warm, mediterranean Includes McLaren Vale Source of Jacob's Creek fruit

Describe McLaren Vale:

Low rainfall, but wet winters Winds moderate warm/hot climate Black grapes 90% Shiraz dominant, Cab Sauv, Grenache Created Sustainable Winegrowing Australia Mollydooker & Yangarra

Describe Limestone Coast Zone:

Cooler, maritime climate Includes Coonawarra

Describe Coonawarra:

Moderate climate Low rainfall Spring frost (sprinklers) Terra Rossa (red soil, slightly alkaline) Known for Cab - Med/full body, med alc, high tannins, concentrated dark fruit with spicy oak notes; signature mint/eucalyptus

Describe Victoria:

Six smaller zones More quality focused than quantity Phylloxera current issue

Describe Port Phillip Zone:

Includes Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula, and others

Describe Yarra Valley:

Cool/moderate High altitude High rainfall Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (lean, unoaked style)

Describe Mornington Peninsula:

Cool/moderate Windy High sunshine hours Extended growing season - moderating water Low/moderate rainfall Red Hill ridge- red basalt soils retain water Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (oak, lees, mlf)

Describe Western Victoria Zone:

Includes Grampians and Pyranees Moderate climate Low rainfall Acidic soils Shiraz most popular in Grampians/Pyranees Riesling in Henty

Describe North East Victoria Zone:

Continental Includes Rutherglen and King Valley

Describe King Valley:

Very cool High rainfall Glera/Prosecco Pinot Gris, Italian Varietals (Sangiovese, Barbera, Nebbiolo)

Describe Central Victoria Zone:

Goulburn Valley and Bendigo: Warm flat plains, ripe, rull-bodied reds and Viognier, arsanna, and Rousanne Upper Goulburn: cooler, Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauv Blanc - Includes Heathcote (Shiraz)

Describe New South Wales:

Sydney located here Sub-tropical climate - high temps, high humidity, high rainfall Includes Hunter Valley and Central Ranges Zones

Describe Hunter Valley Zone:

Hot, humid, intense sunshine Rainfall during growing season - fungal disease First region to start and stop harvest (late-summer storms) Most known for Semillon - dry, light bodied, high acid, low alc; toast, honey, hay with age Chard and Shiraz also

Describe Tasmania:

1% of total production, but premium 2/3 still wines despite reputation for sparkling Cool, maritime climate Spring frosts (sprinklers or fans) Humidity Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

Describe Western Australia:

Largest state, mostly too hot for viticulture Includes South West Australia Zone

Describe Margaret River:

In South West Australia Zone Surrounded by water on 3 sides High rainfall, but in winter Bordeaux-style blends (white and red)

Wine business in Australia:

Mostly small producers except 5 main companies - Includes Treasury & Pernod Ricard Strong tourism market