Australia Flashcards
How much dose sparkling wine represent of the total wine crush in Australia?
6% which equaled 66 million litres in 2019-2020
How much sparkling wine is exported from Australia?
11% - which has risen over recent years driven by Moscato, Shiraz, and Australian Prosecco
How much sparkling wine does to the domestic market in Australia
89%
What methods of making sparkling wine are used in Australia
all methods - traditional, tank, transfer and carbonation
What varietals are used for traditional methods in Austraila?
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, meunier blends
What varietals are used to make tank method wines in Australia?
Glera/Prosecco, Moscato
What other two methods are used for sparkling wines in Australia that are in very limited quantities
sparkling Shiraz and Pet Nat
Where are grapes grown for traditional method sparkling wines in Australia?
cooler regions esp Tasmania but also Yarra Valley, Adelaide Hills and the alpine regions of Victoria, and New SOuth Wales or higher altitude sites
Why are grapes grown in cooler regions in Australia
highly suitable for quality sparkling wines due to their high acidity moderate potential alcohol due to slow sugar accumulation, and creation of ripe but med intensity fruit characters
How are yields in quality regions for sparkling wines compared to regions of high volume sparkling wines
much lower leading to increased price
What is the leading region for high quality traditional method wines in Australia
Tasmania
How far back does Tasmania’s history for growing grapes for sparkling wine go?
1980s when a joint venture between Heemskerk and CHampagne Louis Roederer was launched
How much of Australia’s wine production was made into sparkling wine
36%
What is the climate on the inland of Australia
varied - north coast of tamar vallley and Pipers valley are close to each other but Tamar is much warmer as it is more sheltered from the from Southern Ocean and harvests a fortnight before Pipers
how do the coolest areas in Australia compare to Champagne
they are cooler than Champagne but with higher sunlight intensity due to latitude
Where do the largest producers in Australia source their fruit from>
different locations around the island to gain the volumes necessary, blending grapes from cooler and warmer regions to balance wines
What are the main challenges when growing grapes in Australia
spring frosts and high rainfall
coulure in early season and botrytis in later season
Where are fruit for inexpensive wines grown for sparkling wine in Australia
wide range of regions: Riverland, Riverina and Murray Darling - all labeled South Eastern Australia (vast amount of sparkling wine produced in Australia
In regions where inexpensive sparkling wine is made describe irrigation and mechanization
irrigation = essential
mechanization = standard
When is fruit for inexpensive sparkling wine in Australia picked>
early for lower potential alcohol, to retain acidity, and avoid overripe fruit notes
Compare yields in warm areas of Australia compared to cooler areas
yields are 2-3x as high as in cool areas and prices are around 1/4 of the prices for the fruit that goes into super premium wines
What is the one exception to cooler sites and early picking
fruit for sparkling red wine, esp Shiraz
fruit is grown in warm region climates esp central Victoria Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale
What do red sparkling wines require>
richness, intense flavors
When are grapes for re sparkling wines in Australia picked?
at the same time as still wine grapes
What are yields for red sparkling wine grapes in Australia?
range from high for inexpensive to moderate for premium and above
How are traditional method wines made in Australia
several different styles - Vintage, NV, prestige cuvee and rose
What is the time spent on lees for traditional method wines in Australia
varies: premium producers look to Champagne as an example without having to be restrained to it and have similar min lees aging time