Australia

Question 1

Where’s Australia?

Answer 1

Southern Hemisphere, the size of continental United States.

Question 2

Climate category of Australia?

Answer 2

Hot, dry interior, cooler near coast.Cool maritime to warm Mediterranean to hot and arid.

Question 3

Winemaking info?

Answer 3

Traditional: Blending across regions, American oak

Modern: Single GI/site, French oak

Rutherglen: Fortified wines

Question 3

Soil type/ name?

Answer 3

Coonawarra: Terra Rossa

Question 4

Physical features of Australia?

Answer 4

Elevation in South Australia, currents from Antarctica.

Question 5

Grape growing info?

Answer 5

Concept of blending across regions for volume.100+ year old vines exist.
Irrigation is necessary in the country interior. Best vineyards are near the cooler coast.

Question 6

White grape variety names?

Answer 6

Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon blend
Semillon (Hunter), Muscat

Question 6

Red grape variety names?

Answer 6

Shiraz, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 7

Wine Law info?

Answer 7

GI: Refers to a geographic place of origin only, no other additional laws.

85% labeling required for grape variety, vintage, and origin.

Question 8

What does GI mean? Define and expand.

Answer 8

Geographic Indications (GIs): Indicates Geographical location only.

Australia, State, Zone, Region, Sub-Region

*More specificity as the region gets smaller. No need to memorize which are Zones vs. Regions but know this system exists.

*South Eastern Australia Super GI (high-volume)

Question 9

Appellation

Answer 9

New South Wales GI
Victoria GI
South Australia GI
Western Australia GI
Tasmania GI

South Eastern Australia GI: Riverina GI, Murray Darling GI

New South Wales GI: Hunter Valley GI

Victoria GI: Yarra Valley GI

South Australia GI: Barossa Valley GI, McLaren Vale GI, Clare Valley GI, Eden Valley GI, Coonawarra GI

Western Australia GI: Margaret River GI

Question 10

What’s the superzone?

Answer 10

Superzone (South Eastern Australia)

Question 11

Producer/proprietary brand?

Answer 11

Penfold’s Grange

Question 12

History of Australian winemaking?

Answer 12

First vines planted in 1788 (near Sydney), industry moved west after phylloxera (quarantine), sweet/fortified wines dominated until late 20th Century, purchased French company that invented Stelvin closure, Yellow Tail business model.

Question 13

Service of Australian wine info?

Answer 13

Screw cap

Question 14

Food and beverage pairings of Australian wine?

Answer 14

Ripe Shiraz with intense grilled or barbecued meat. Use Clare or Eden Riesling like New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Yarra Pinot Noir parallels Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Yarra Chardonnay works like Sonoma Coast Chardonnay. Margaret River Bordeaux blends are elegant like wines from Bordeaux.