Australia Flashcards
Australia
Geography: 6 states and multiple territories
History: English bringing European grapes
Key Figures: James Busby
Climate: Hot desert interior, cooler coastal areas in south
Soil: Eroded, nutrient-poor
Grapes: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Riesling, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Grenache, Pinot Noir
Viticulture: in cooler coastal areas or higher elevation, irrigation, ripe grapes
Vinification: artisanal and industrial wineries, innovation & technology leader, grape and regional blends, American oak (Penfolds) and French oak, acidification, alternative packaging - bags in boxes, BIBs
Australia Wine Law and GIs
Label Integrity Program
* Min 85% grape if labeled
Geographical Indications, GI - refers to geo area, not wine style
* 100% grapes from Australia
Narrows from Australia, States, Region, Sub-regions
SE Australia
Location: Massive GI covering 5 states - S Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania
City: Adelaide, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart
Vinification: mass-market blends
New South Wales State
Location: SE Australia
City: Sydney
Climate: Hot & humid inland, cooler coast
Geography: Great Dividing Range near coast
Hunter Valley GI
Grapes: Semillon
Climate: Higher altitude is some areas, coastal warm and humid
Viniculture: Early harvest so low alcohol, Eucalyptus influence
Riverina GI
Grapes: Bulk wine (R)
Victoria State
Location: SW Australia
City: Melbourne
Climate: Hot & humid inland, cooler coast
Vinification: wide range of styles
Murray Darling GI, Rutherglen GI, Yarra Valley GI
Victoria GIs
Yarra Valley GI
Climate: Cool maritime
Grapes: Pinot Noir, oaked Chardonnay
Style: Still & sparking wines
Rutherglen GI
Style: Sweet “stickies”, Muscat-based sweet wines & fortified wines
Murray-Darling GI
Geology: Murray River, irrigation source
Climate: hot
Style: Bulk wine
S Australia GIs
City: Adelaide
Clare Valley GI
Climate: Mount Lofty Ranges, high elevation, hot days/ cool nights
Grapes: Riesling, Shiraz
Barossa Valley GI
City: Adelaide
Climate: Warm Mediterranean
Grapes: Shiraz, some Cabernet Sauvignon & Grenache
Viticulture: Extremely old vines, no phylloxera
Eden Valley GI
Climate: Cooler, higher elevation
Grapes: Riesling, some Chardonnay, Shiraz
McLaren Vale GI
Grapes: Shiraz, some Grenache & Cabernet Sauvignon in GSM Blends
Coonawarra GI
Climate: Cool Mediterranean, limestone coast
Soil: Terra Rossa - limestone covered by red earth
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Penfolds
W Australia GIs
Location: SW Australia, coastal
City: Perth
Margaret River GI
Climate: Warm Mediterranean
Moderator: Ocean breezes & Margaret River
Soil: sandy, granite
Grapes: Chardonnay, Semillon & Sauvignon Blanc blend, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot
Style: Bordeaux blends
Shiraz
Location: Clare Valley GI, Australia
Shiraz (Syrah)
Style: Dry, full-bodied red wine
Tell: Deep Purple, big ripe blue fruit, herb & spice
Tasting notes: Deep Ruby-Purple, intense ripe fruit, blue & black fruit, jammy blueberry, plum, black cherry, herb, rosemary & thyme, mint & eucalypt, violet & rose, dried citrus, baked earth, oak
Tannin: M+, Acid: M+, Alcohol: M+, Complexity: M+
Pairing: Dark meats and exotic spice, lamb shawarma, Asian 5-spice pork
$50
Other wines: Syrah (Rhone), Malbec, Merlot
