Australia Flashcards

1
Q

Export in Australia?

A

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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2
Q

Topography in Australia?

A

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

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3
Q

Climate in Australia:

A

Intense sunshine
Low humidity
Low rainfall
Bush fires
Soil salinity issues

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4
Q

Viticulture in Australia:

A

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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5
Q

Sustainability in Australia?

A

Sustainable Winegrowing Australia
25% of vineyards/production

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6
Q

Describe Shiraz:

A

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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7
Q

Style of Shiraz:

A

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

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8
Q

Where is Cab Sauv grown in Australia?

A

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

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9
Q

Describe Pinot Noir in Australia:

A

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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10
Q

Describe Grenache in Australia:

A

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

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11
Q

White varietals in Australia?

A

Chardonnay
Sauv Blanc
Pinot Grigio
Semillon
Riesling
Muscat Gordo Blanco
Colombard

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12
Q

Describe Hunter Valley Semillon?

A

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

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13
Q

Regional laws of Australia:

A

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

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14
Q

Labeling laws in Australia:

A

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

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15
Q

Describe South Eastern Australia:

A

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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16
Q

Describe Griffin:

A

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

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17
Q

Describe South Australia:

A

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

18
Q

Describe Barossa:

A

Includes Barossa Valley and Eden Valley
Shiraz dominant

19
Q

Describe Barossa Valley:

A

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

20
Q

Describe Eden Valley:

A

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

21
Q

Describe Eden Valley Riesling:

A

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

22
Q

Describe Mount Lofty Ranges

A

Includes Adelaide Hills and Clare Valley

23
Q

Describe Adelaide Hills:

A

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

24
Q

Describe Clare Valley:

A

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

25
Q

Describe Fleurieu Zone:

A

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

26
Q

Describe McLaren Vale:

A

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

27
Q

Describe Limestone Coast Zone:

A

Cooler, maritime climate
Includes Coonawarra

28
Q

Describe Coonawarra:

A

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

29
Q

Describe Victoria:

A

Six smaller zones
More quality focused than quantity
Phylloxera current issue

30
Q

Describe Port Phillip Zone:

A

Includes Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula, and others

31
Q

Describe Yarra Valley:

A

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

32
Q

Describe Mornington Peninsula:

A

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)

33
Q

Describe Western Victoria Zone:

A

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

34
Q

Describe North East Victoria Zone:

A

Continental
Includes Rutherglen and King Valley

35
Q

Describe King Valley:

A

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

36
Q

Describe Central Victoria Zone:

A

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)

37
Q

Describe New South Wales:

A

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

38
Q

Describe Hunter Valley Zone:

A

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

39
Q

Describe Tasmania:

A

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

40
Q

Describe Western Australia:

A

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

41
Q

Describe Margaret River:

A

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

42
Q

Wine business in Australia:

A

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