Australia Flashcards
What is the latitude of most of Australian wine regions?
What are the exceptions?
30-37°S
Some Queensland vineyards and Tasmania are 41-42°S
which region of Australia is protected from tropical weather systems by the Great Dividing Range?
South-eastern Australia
Identify why drought may cause problems in Australia, even in areas with higher levels of rainfall.
Drought will slow the rate of photosynthesis leading to a slower accumulation of sugars and a reduced level of ripeness. Areas experiencing modest levels of drought sufficient ripeness may be difficult to achieve where a wine of a particular style, quality or volume is desired.
Which regions experience unusually high humidity levels for Australian wine producing regions?
Southern Victoria
Hunter Valley
Adelaide Hills
What are the 7 most planted varieites in Australia
Shiraz
Cabernet Sauvignon
Chardonnay
Merlot
Sauvignon Blanc
Pinot Noir
Semillon
Describe the expected differences between a premium quality Shiraz made in the Barossa Valley and another from the Grampians.
Grampian - moderate colour intensity, medium acidity and tannins with a firm/grippy nature. The fruit character is likely to be fresher with more herbaceous and pepper notes. Any oak used is likely to add toasty/smoky characteristics.
Barossa - deep colour intensity, medium acidity and high tannins with a soft/silky nature. The fruit character is likely to be riper/jammier with more sweet spice aromas. Oak is more common and will be sweeter in nature to give coconut and vanilla aromas.
Shiraz is often used in GSM blends in South Africa. What name is often used for Mourvèdre in Australia?
Mataro
Which barrel styles are most suitable for ageing Australian Grenache?
Old oak barrels
Large oak barrels
Explain why malolactic conversion may be used to varying degrees on different styles of Chardonnay across Australia.
Quality & style - MLC can be used to add complexity and textural characteristics. This may be used or avoided to achieve a particular style and quality of wine.
Price point - MLC may be avoided to minimise cost and expenditure where a particular price point is required.
Consistency - High volume brands may use MLC to control the aroma/flavour characteristics as well as acidity to create a consistent style to meet consumer expectations.
Climatic conditions - varying climatic conditions, particularly in more marginal climates may necessitate a greater/lesser use of MLC to give balance.
How many wine regions were registered in Australia in 2017
By 2017, there were 65 registered regions within Australia. These regions sit within larger zones.
What are the requirements to be a region in Australia
To be registered as a region, the area usually has to produce 500 tonnes of grapes per year. There must also be at least 5 vineyards measuring at least 5 ha across the region, and these vineyards must be owned by different companies.
How many sub-regions are registered in Australia
14
Name three wine producing areas that are wholly in the South Eastern Australia Zone
Tasmania
New South Wales
Victoria
In Australia, if multiple varieties contribute to a blend, how must this be conveyed to the consumer on the label?
The different varieties must be listed in descending order of how much they contribute to the blend.
Give a typical tasting note for a Riverina Semillon.
- tend to be medium-bodied
- high in alcohol
- relatively low in acidity
- characterised by ripe ruit flavours.
Name two famous producers in Barossa Valley
John Duval
Glaetzer Wines
Name two famous producers in Eden Valley
Henschke
Pewsey Vale
Name two famous producers in Adelaide Hills
Shaw + Smith
Penfolds
Name two famous producers in Clare Valley
Wendouree
Jim Barry
Name two famous producers in McLaren Vale
Mollydooker
Hardys
Yangarra
Name two famous producers in Coonawarra
Wynns
Katnook
Describe a Barossa Valley Shiraz
Typically full-bodied and high in alcohol with high levels of soft tannins and pronounced ripe (and often cooked or dried) black fruit aromas.
Describe a Clare Valley Shiraz
Often have medium to medium (+) acidity and tannins, and pronounced ripe black fruit flavours with a distinctive minty or eucalyptus characteristic.
Describe an Eden Valley Shiraz
High acidity, structured tannins, and lower alcohol than Barossa Shiraz. They tend to have ripe but fresh plum and blackberry aromas with sweet spice notes from oak.
Describe a Coonawarra Shiraz
Usually lighter-bodied than Barossa Shiraz, but still with concentrated blackberry characters and herbal, minty notes. It is sometimes blended with Cabernet Sauvignon.
Describe a McLaren Vale Shiraz
Tend to be deep-coloured and full-bodied with high alcohol levels and pronounced dark fruit flavours. Many have spice characteristics from oak. In the hotter, lower sites, the fruit flavours can become cooked or jammy.
Parts of the Yarra Valley are considered to be a phylloxera infested zone. Explain what this means and how the area may be protected against further phylloxera outbreaks.
Phylloxera infested implies that this pest is present (but managed) within the vineyard area. The management options will include phylloxera resistant rootstocks and careful biocontrol to avoid transmission in or out of the area.
Describe the Henty region in Victoria
The coldest of the regions, as it’s furthest southwest and influenced by cold Antarctic winds. The signature variety is Riesling.
Describe the Grampians region in Victoria
Temperatures are moderated by altitude despite the fact the region is 130km inland. Some soils are acidic.
Describe the Pyrenees region in Victoria
Known for Shiraz, which can be intense and concentrated on lower slopes. The slopes tend to be gentle, making this generally the warmest region.
Discuss wine sales in Australia
- Wine tourism is a major part of Australian wine sales
- 2/3 of all wineries having a cellar door
- In areas with smaller wineries, 70-80% have a cellar door
- South Australia, where the wineries are generally larger, around 50% have a cellar door
- The production volumes of Australian wines are dominated by 5 major companies, the largest of which is Accolade
- By volume, the top market for export is the UK, but by value it’s China
