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
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
