Australia

Question 1

Give a general overview of Australia’s climates and hazards.

Answer 1

The main growing regions are hot or warm, which are tempered by the oceans, the Murray river system and altitude. Drought is a problem and irrigation is essential. Bush fires are a risk. Producers seek sites with cool to moderate climates and plantings at high altitude have increased.

Question 2

What is Australia’s most planted grape?

Answer 2

Shiraz

Question 3

Where do most grapes come from in the SEA zone for high volume brands wanting high yields?

Answer 3

1. Riverland in South Aus
2. Murray-darling in Vic
3. Riverina in NSW

Question 4

What does Riverina specialize in?

Answer 4

Botrytised wine from semillon

Question 5

What is the climate of Barossa and what wines does it produce?

Answer 5

Warm continental. Dry. Old bush vines produce outstanding Shiraz, Cab Sav and Grenache. Also makes unoaked Semillion.

Question 6

Describe a Barossa Shiraz.

Answer 6

Full bodied, soft tannins, ripe black fruit, American oak. Leather and spice as it ages.

Question 7

What is the climate of Eden Valley and what grapes does it produce?

Answer 7

Cool to moderate with varies with altitude. Outstanding Rieslings. Shirazc Chardonnay and Cab Sav.

Question 8

Describe an Eden Valley Riesling.

Answer 8

Intense lime and grapefruit and a steely character. The best can age with marmalade and toasty characteristics after 10 years.

Question 9

Describe the climate of the Clare valley and the wines produced there.

Answer 9

Warm climate tempered by cool afternoon breezes and cold nights. Many vineyards planted at altitude of 300-400 meters with some as high as 570m. Known for riesling, also Cab Sav and Shiraz.

Question 10

Describe a Clare valley Riesling.

Answer 10

Dry with intense citrus and lime and high acidity. With bottle aging they can develop honey and toast characters.

Question 11

Describe a Clare valley Shiraz.

Answer 11

Fragrant, powerful and structured.

Question 12

What is the climate of Adelaide Hills and what wines does it make?

Answer 12

Moderate climate with vineyards at 400m or higher. Irrigation is often needed during the growing season as soil doesn’t hold water and rainfall is limited. Sauv Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and sparkling.

Question 13

What is the climate of McLaren Vale and what grapes does it produce?

Answer 13

Warm maritime climate with cooling afternoon ocean breezes. Shiraz, Cab Sav, merlot and Grenache. Some old vine Shiraz and Grenache.

Question 14

What is the climate of Coonawarra and what does it grow?

Answer 14

Moderate maritime because of cold currents from the Antarctic. Cloud cover moderates summer temps. Cab Sav predominates with Shiraz, merlot and Chardonnay.

Question 15

Describe the soil in coonawarra

Answer 15

Red soil over limestone subsoil. Called Terra Rossa. It’s very alkaline.

Question 16

What is the climate of yarra valley and what grapes are grown?

Answer 16

Cool to moderate maritime. Pinot noir is the speciality. Also makes table wines and sparkling wine. Also Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cab Sav.

Question 17

Describe a Yarra Valley Pinot noir.

Answer 17

Rich in fruit, strawberries, plums and dark cherries. Soft ripe tannins. Careful oak handling adds complexity. Age worthy.

Question 18

What is the climate of the Mornington peninsula and what grapes are grown?

Answer 18

Cool to moderate maritime climate. Risk of cool, wet windy weather at flowering and harvest. Pinot noir and Chardonnay.

Question 19

What is the climate of Geelong and what wines does it produce?

Answer 19

Cool to moderate maritime, similar to the Mornington peninsula. Chardonnay, Pinot noir and Shiraz. Sparkling wine.

Question 20

Describe a Mornington peninsula Chardonnay.

Answer 20

Citrus, pear and apple, High acidity softened by malolactic conversion.

Question 21

Describe the climate of heathcote and the grapes grown.

Answer 21

Moderate continental, with cool temperatures from altitude rather than ocean breezes. Shiraz. Chardonnay, cab sav, Sangiovese and Tempranillo “have shown promise”.

Question 22

Describe the climate of the Goulburn Valley and the grapes grown.

Answer 22

Warm continental mitigated by lakes and creeks from Goilburn river. Shiraz is mostly planted with Marsanne a speciality.

Question 23

What is the climate of Hunter Valley and what is produced?

Answer 23

Hot, humid climate. Cloud cover and ocean breezes reduce the effect of the heat. Unsettled rainy weather at harvest. Good canopy management techniques are needed to minimize rot. Most planted grape is Semillon Chardonnay and Shiraz also planted.

Question 24

Describe a Hunter valley semillon.

Answer 24

Light bodied, low alcohol, high acidity and neutral flavors that evolve into toast, nut and honey with bottle aging.

Question 25

Which area has the longest history of winemaking in Australia and what are some of the regions?

Answer 25

New South Wales. The main region is Hunter Valley but also Mudgee, Orange and Cowra with slightly cooler regions.

Question 26

What is the only wine region in Australia not part of the SEA super zone?

Answer 26

Western Australia

Question 27

What is the climate of Margaret River and what are the grapes?

Answer 27

Warm Mediterranean climate. Lots of rain but mainly in winter. Cab Sav and merlot are often blended in Bordeaux style. Chardonnay. Sauv blanc is often blended with semillon.

Question 28

Name two subregions in the Great Southern region of Australia. What wines are they known for?

Answer 28

Mount Barker and Frankland River. Deeply colored Cab Sav, elegant pepper Shiraz and floral Riesling

Question 29

What is the climate of Tasmania and what does it produce?

Answer 29

Cool maritime. Conditions are free from extremes. Sparkling wine. Also pinot noir, Chardonnay, Sauv Blanc, Pinot Gris and even Cab Sav.