Australia Flashcards
The GI hierarchy of Australia
Zones, Regions, and Sub-Regions
Australia’s overall climate
Mediterranean
Australia cooling factors
The Indian Ocean and the Murray River.
Sultana
Only used for bulk wine production
The classic Australian variety
Shiraz
Hot regions that produce Shiraz
Hunter Valley and Barossa Valley
Cool regions that produce Shiraz
Margaret River, Western Victoria, the Central Ranges.
Classic regions for Australian Cabernet Sauvignon
Coonawarra and Margaret River.
Australian Cabernet Sauvignon style
Ripe blackcurrant and black cherry with toast and meat notes.
Australian Cabernet Sauvignon style, compared to Shiraz
Darker color, firmer tannins and higher acidity.
What Cabernet Sauvignon adds to a blend
Color
Australian Chardonnay style
Peach, melon, fig and banana flavors with varying degrees of oak, lees, and malolactic fermentation.
Classic regions for Australian Riesling
Eden Valley and Clare Valley.
What Semillon adds to a blend
Crisp acidity and refreshing herbaceous notes.
The wine growing regions of Australia
South-Eastern Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia, and Tasmania.
South-Eastern Australia price
Low to Medium: $ - $$
South-Eastern Australia style
Blends of regions and varieties.
The Zones of South Australia
5
Barossa Zone
Mount Lofty Ranges Zone
Fleurieu Zone
Limestone Coast Zone
Lower Murray Zone
The regions of the Barossa Zone
Barossa Valley and Eden Valley
Barossa Valley varieties
Red: Shiraz, Grenache, and Mataro.
Barossa Valley price
Low to Very High: $ - $$$$
Barossa Valley climate
Hot and dry
Barossa Valley soils
Ironstone and limestone
Barossa Valley training system
Old bush vines
Barossa Valley Shiraz style
Soft, full body.
Dark ripe fruit.
Sweet american oak.
Develops leather and spice.
Barossa Valley Old World alternative
Southern Rhone GSM blends
Eden Valley wine
Red: Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon.
White: Riesling, Chardonnay.
Eden Valley price
Medium to high: $$ - $$$
Eden Valley climate
Moderate to warm climate that varies with altitude.
Eden Valley Riesling style
Medium body, high acidity, dry or off-dry.
Lime-citrus aroma, steely character.
Develops marmalade and tasty characters after 10 years.
The regions of Mounth Lofty Ranges Zone
Adelaide Hills and Clare Valley Region
Adelaide Hills wine
Red: Pinot Noir.
White: Chardonnay.
Adelaide Hills price
Medium to Very High: $$ - $$$$
Adelaide Hills style and price factors
Moderate climate.
Sandy loam soils with water-holding capacity - irrigation is necessary.
Rainfall in the winter.
Adelaide Hills Chardonnay style
Complex, elegant, high acidity.
Citrus and white stone-fruit.
Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir style
Blended with Chardonnay to make sparkling wine
Clare Valley wine
White: Riesling
Clare Valley price
Medium to High: $$ - $$$
Clare Valley style and price factors
Hot climate with cool afternoon breezes and cold nights.
High altitude.
Clare Valley Riesling style
Dry, high acidity.
Citrus and lime, kerosene notes in youth.
Develops petrol, honey, toast characters over 20 years.
Clare Valley Shiraz style
Fragrant, powerful, and structured.
The region in the Fleurieu Zone
McLaren Vale
McLaren Vale wine
Red: Shiraz, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon
McLaren Vale price
Low to Very High: $ - $$$$
McLaren Vale style
Soft, ripe tannins.
Intense flavors, dark fruit aromas.
Cooling factor in McLaren Vale
Afternoon breezes
McLaren Vale Old World Alternative
Northern Rhone Syrah
The regions in Limestone Coast Zone
5
Wrattonbully
Coonawarra
Padthaway
Robe
Mount Benson
Coonawarra price
Low to Very High: $ - $$$$
Coonawarra climate
Cool to moderate maritime
Cooling factors in Coonawarra
Cool currents from the Antarctic and cloud cover.
Coonawarra variety
Red: Cabernet Sauvignon
Coonawarra style
Intense fruit, structure.
Cassis, eucalyptus, or menthol aromas.
Ageable.
Padthaway climate
Moderate to warm
Padthaway soils
Loam and limestone
Padthaway style and price factors
Fertile soils and large companies
Padthaway varieties
Red: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. White: Chardonnay
Padthaway style
Inexpensive blends
Region in Lower Murray Zone
Riverland
Riverland climate
Hot and dry
Riverland style and price factors
Vast, irrigated, low in diseases, high yields. The grapes reach ripeness before they can make much flavor.
Riverland style
Bulk wines
Zones in Victoria
6
NW Victoria
NE Victoria
Central Victoria
Western Victoria
Port Phillip
Gippsland
Regions in Port Phillip Zone
3
Yarra Valley
Mornington Penninsula
Geelong
Yarra Valley price
Low to Very High: $-$$$$
Yarra Valley style and price factors
Range between sandy loam and volcanic soils.
Cool climate tempers jammy flavors.
Careful oak adds complexity.
Yarra Valley varieties
Red: Bordeaux Blends, Pinot Noir, Shiraz.
White: Chardonnay.
Yarra Valley Pinot Noir style
Soft tannins.
Rich fruit, strawberries, plums, dark cherries.
Oak complexity.
Ageable.
Yarra Valley Chardonnay style
Melon, fig, and white peach character.
Yarra Valley Cabernet Sauvignon style
Firm tannins and high acidity.
Yarra Valley Shiraz style
Peppery.
More subtle than from South Eastern Australia.
Yarra Valley Old World alternative
Burgundy.
Cool climate Pinoit Noir and chardonnay.
Mornington Penninsula climate
Cool and maritime
Mornington Penninsula varieties
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Mornington Penninsula Pinot Noir style
Light and delicate with pure varietal fruit; or structured with pure varietal fruit.
Mornington Penninsula Chardonnay style
High acidity, citrus, pear and apple aromas; and malolactic fermentation.
Geelong climate
Cool and maritime
Geelong varieties
Red: Pinot Noir, Shiraz, and Cabernet Sauvignon. White: Chardonnay
Geelong Pinot Noir style
Earthy aromas
Geelong Shiraz style
Fresh and peppery
Geelong Chardonnay style
Full body, rich texture, lees aging.
Zones in New South Wales
Hunter Valley Zone, Central Ranges Zone, and Big River Zone.
Hunter Valley climate
Hot and humid
Hunter Valley soils
Well-drained, black, silty loams.
Hunter Valley varieties
Shiraz and Semillon
Hunter Valley Shiraz style
Soft tannins, earthy aromas, and raspberry and cherry flavors.
Hunter Valley Semillon style
Pale color, low sugar, high acidity, and low alcohol. Neutral flavors but develop honey and toast with bottle age.
Margaret River wine
Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Bordeaux blends.
White: Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc.
Margaret River style and price factors
Maritime climate.
High rainfall in the winter.
Cabernet Sauvignon is widely planted.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot style
Blended.
Ranges from restrained and elegant to fruity and powerful.
Gravelly, earthy tannins, structure, complexity.
Margaret River Chardonnay syle
High acidity.
Stone fruit.
Barrel aged and malolactic fermentation.
Margaret River Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc syle
Blended.
Crisp acidity.
Gooseberry, tropical fruit.
Margaret River Old World alternative
Bordeaux
Margaret River Old World alternative similiarities
Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot blends.
Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon blends.
Cool, maritime climate with high rainfall.
Margaret River Old World alternative differences
Chardonnay has stone fruit flavors.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blends have more range.
Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon blends have gooseberry flavors.
Yalumba
Barossa
Wirra Wirra
McLaren Vale
Tim Adams
Clare Valley
South Australia
Pierro
Margaret River
How much wine from NZ is exported?
Almost half
How much wine from Australia is exported?
Almost 75%
Do Australia and NZ make good bulk wines?
Deliver excellent value through bulk wine.
How do they transport wine in NZ and Australia?
Not bottled, transport in big containers to be bottled at destination country
What region is the powerhouse of Australia wine?
Southern
Where were the first vineyards in Australia?
New South Wales
What is the climate in New South Wales?
Diverse! Coastal, alpine, inland rivers
What wine region is in New South Wales?
Hunter Valley
Where are the distinct regions in Australia?
Surrounding Adelaide
Wine regions in Australia?
Barossa Valley
Adelaide Hills
McLaren Vale
Riverland
Coonawarra (limestone coast)
Who planted vineyards in Barossa Valley, SA
German Immigrants in 1847
What is the most famous wine region in Australia?
Barossa Valley
What is the climate in McLaren Vale, SA?
Coastal and cooler
What wines does Riverland, SA produce?
Bulk wine.
What soils are found in Coonawarra, SA
Limestone soils. “Terra Rossa” clay is the red clay
What wines are Tasmania known for?
Pinot noir + sparkling wine
What climate is in Tasmania?
Cool maritime climate
Wine region in western Australia?
Margaret River
What happened in 2004 in Australia?
Forrest fires damaged grapes.
When is the greatest damage during a fire to grapes?
During verasion aka ripening
TOP VARIETIES in Australia?
Shiraz, Chardonnay, Cab Sav
Australia world rankings?
6th largest producer, 4th largest exporter
What wine is known in Barossa?
Shiraz
What are the river lands known for?
Big wineries
What is Australia had success with?
Non traditional blends, Cab/Shiraz, Chardonnay, Semillion
Wine and Food Pairing guidlines
Be creative!
What wines should go with rich foods?
Acidic wines
Sweet wines should go with?
Desserts!
Tannin wines should go with?
Protein rich foods
The South Eastern Australia multi-state zone includes?
The entire states of:
Victoria
New South Wales
Tasmania
Wine growing regions of:
South Australia
Queensland
Which states are the most planted in Australia?
1 South Australia
#2 New South Wales
#3 Victoria
#4 Western Australia
Other 2 are around 1% of total plantings
Where is the Big River Zone?
New South Wales
Where is the Central Ranges Zone?
New South Wales
Where is the Hunter Valley
New South Wales
Where is the Northern Rivers Zone?
New South Wales
Where is the Northern Slopes Zone?
New South Wales
Where is the South Coast Zone?
New South Wales
Where is Murray Darling located?
Split between
Big River Zone, New South Wales &
North West Victoria, Victoria
Where is Swan Hill located?
Split between
Big River Zone, New South Wales &
North West Victoria, Victoria
Where is Riverina located?
Big Rivers, New South Wales
Where is Perricoota located?
Big Rivers, New South Wales
Where is Cowra?
Central Ranges, New South Wales
Where is Mudgee?
Central Ranges, New South Wales
Where is Orange?
Central Ranges, New South Wales
Where is Broke Fordwich?
Hunter Valley, New South Wales
Where is Pokolbin?
Hunter, Hunter Valley, New South Wales
Where are Shoalhaven Coast & Southern Highlands located?
South Coast, New South Wales
Where is the Canberra District located?
Southern New South Wales, New South Wales
Where is Tumbarumba located?
Southern New South Wales, New South Wales
Where is the Hilltops located?
Southern New South Wales, New South Wales
Where is Gundagai located?
Southern New South Wales, New South Wales
Where is Hastings River located?
Northern Rivers, New South Wales
Where is the Adelaide Superzone Located?
South Australia
Which Zones are in the Adelaide Superzone?
Barossa
Fleurieu
Mount Lofty Ranges
What are the 2 regions of the Barossa Zone?
Barossa Valley
Eden Valley
Where is McLaren Vale?
Fleurieu, South Australia
Where is Currency Creek located?
Fleurieu, South Australia
Where is Kangaroo Island located?
Fleurieu, South Australia
Where is Langhorne Creek located?
Fleurieu, South Australia
Where is Adelaide Hills located?
Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia
Where is Adelaide Plains located?
Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia
Where is Clare Valley located?
Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia
Where are the sub-regions Lenswood & Picadily Valley?
Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia
Where is the Limestone Coast located?
South Australia
Where is Lower Murray located?
South Australia
Where is Coonawarra located?
Limestone Coast, South Australia
Where is Mount Benson located?
Limestone Coast, South Australia
Where is Padthaway located?
Limestone Coast, South Australia
Where is Robe located?
Limestone Coast, South Australia
Where is Wrattonbully located?
Limestone Coast, South Australia
Where is Mount Gambier located?
Limestone Coast, South Australia
Where is Riverland located?
Lower Murray, South Australia
1788
Grapes brought by british prisoiners
50% total production
South australia
Bag in the box
Invented in australia
$4.5 Bil
Gross sales 2003
What place is Australia by volume of production in the world?
5th
Who developed zero pruning to restrict vigor
CSIRO commonwealth scientific & research institute
Riverland
South Australia- bulk wine- must be irrigated
Riverina
New South Wales- bulk wine- must be irrigated
What 2 areas account for 40% of the nations production
Riverland & Riverina
Important soil feature
Salty
Grange
Shiraz debuted in 1951 as grange Hermitage
Who made the 1951 grange
Max Schubert
Name Henschke’s top wine
Hill of grace Shiraz
What is Yalumbas top Shiraz?
Octavius
What is Clarendon hill top wine?
Astralis Shiraz
McLaren Vale
What is Torbecks Shiraz called?
RunRig
Biggest hazards
Droughts and fire
Who regulated the Australian wine industry?
Australian wine and brandy corporation AWBC
When was the AWBC established?
1981
0.85
Grape, vintage and region
Regions are defined by?
GI geographical indications
Definition of GI
Single tract of land with at last 5 independently owned vineyards of 5 ht. Min output of 500 tons annually
Name the states in the SOUTH EASTERN AUSTRALIA GI
Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales and parts of Queensland and south Australia
Where was the first vineyard planted?
New South Wales 1788
What separates the coast from the arid interior in NSW?
Great dividing range
What % of production is New South Wales?
0.25
Who owned yellow tail? Where do the grapes come from?
Casella- Riverina in NSW
What wine dose De Bortoli make?
Nobel One- botrytiserd bulk semillon
Name a top hunter valley semillon
Tyrrell’s vat 1
Where is hunter valley?
New South Wales
What is the soil type in hunter valley?
Volcanic basalt
Tumbarumba is know for making what wine?
Sparkling from chard and Pinot
Regions in New South Wales.
Big river-
central ranges-
hunter valley-
north rivers-
northern slopes- south coast-
Southern New South Wales
Western plains
Sub regions of hunter valley
Hunter=
Broke fordwich
Pokolbin
Upper hunter
Sub regions of southern New South Wales
Canberra district=
Tumbrarumba
Hilltops
Gundagai
Victoria
Smallest and coolest state on mainland- cool martime climate
What cools Victoria?
Cool breezes from Antarctic into port Phillip
What grape is called hunter Riesling?
Semillon
Chaptalisation
Not allowed
Where is the mount Mary winery?
Yarra valley- Victoria
Victoria is known for?
Cool climate and premium wines
What French champagne house is in the yarra valley?
Domain Chandon- 1987
Soil types in yarra valley?
Grey brown sandy clay & red volcanic
Who owned Shiraz vines from 1860?
Tahbilk in goulburn valley- Victoria
In 2020 no more tokay on labels instead the will say what?
Topaque
What are the classifications for Muscat of Rutherglen?
Muscat 5y. 180-240 g/l
Classic 10y. 200-280 g/l
Grand 15y. 270-400g/l
Rare 20+y 270-400g/l
Regions of Victoria
Central Victoria
Gippsland
North east Victoria
North west Victoria
Port Phillip
Western Victoria
Sub regions of central Victoria
Bendigo
Goulburn= nagambie lakes
Heathcote
strathbogie ranges
Upper goulburn
Famous for Shiraz
Slightly cooler
Subregions of north east Victoria
Alpine valley
Beechworth
Glenrowan
King valley
Rutherglen
Sub regions of north west Victoria shared with NSW?
Murray darling
Swan hill
Bulk wine area
Sub regions of port Phillip
Geelong
Macedon ranges
Mornington peninsula
Sunbury
Yarra valley
Sub regions of western Victoria
Grampians= great western
Henty
Pyrenees
Where do Australia’s best Cabernet come from?
Coonawara- limestone coastal zone in south Australia
Name 2 famous coonawara cabs
Majella
Parker estate first growth
Where is terra Rossa famous?
Coonawara
Len Evans
(1930- 2006), promoter, taster, judge, consumer, teacher, and maker of wine who did more to advance the cause of wine in australia than any other individual. Born in England, architect, pro golf. Arrived in Sydney, Australia, 1955, immersion in wine for Chevron Hilton Hotel. By 1965 was the first National Promotions Executive for the Australian Wine Board. One of the few to see that future lay in table wine rather than in sweet fortified drinks. Natural performer and publicist, caused such a stir that Australians were convinced that real men could indeed drink table wine. By 1969 he was writing books and articles on wine, left the Wine Board, was starting up the Rothbury Estate in the hunter valley and establishing his own restaurant-cum-dining club at Bulletin Place by Sydney Harbour. Transformed blind tasting into a competitive sport, oversaw the creation of a game predicated on it, the options game, which raised substantial sums for charity under his direction. Late 1970s, financed by a tax lawyer friend Peter Fox, acquired properties in graves, sauternes, and the napa Valley, with plans to staff them using an early version of the flying winemaker concept. Apptd chairman of judges at the Royal Sydney Show. In 1981, Peter Fox was killed in a crash, Evans Wine Company thrown into turmoil - Rothbury, plus Petaluma winery in the adelaide hills, survivived. Awarded an Order of the British Empire & Chevalier de l’Ordre du Mérite Agricole in 1994. In 1996, Rothbury, with Saltram and St Huberts, hostile takeover bid from brewers Fosters, owners of Beringer Blass wines. Evans Family Wines and the establishment of Tower winery and luxurious lodge in the Hunter Valley became his chief endeavor. Commemorated by Len Evans Tutorial, an annual orgy of blind tasting.
James Busby
(1801- 71), the so-called father of australian viticulture, born in Edinburgh became interested in agriculture in Ireland, before leaving Scotland for Australia, became convinced that wine could be made in the colony so spent several months studying viticulture and winemaking in France. At 24 2rote first book, Treatise on the Culture of the Vine, on 5-month voyage on the Triton, at the time considered too scientific, lacking in simple directions. 800 ha 1980 acre land grant made to Busby on the Hunter River in new south wales in 1824, property was named Kirkton. in 1830 his second and more successful book A Manual of Plain Directions for Planting and Cultivating Vineyards and for Making Wine in New South Wales. Busby, like others of his time, extolled the virtues of wine drinking compared with the then common excessive spirits consumption in the colony. His book contains the much quoted ‘The man who could sit under the shade of his own vine, with his wife and children about him, and the ripe clusters hanging within their reach, in such a climate as this, and not feel the highest enjoyment, is incapable of happiness and does not know what the word means.’ Busby’s greatest contribution to Australian viticulture: in 1831 spent four months touring Europe, mainly to collect vine cuttings for Australia, 680 vine varieties (not necessarily all different) from the botanical gardens of montpellier, Luxembourg in Paris, and Kew in London, as well as from other parts of France and Spain. Shipped to Sydney w/ seeds of various vegetables, and by Jan 1833 was reported to be growing in the Sydney Botanic Gardens. Appointed first British Resident at the Bay of Islands in New Zealand and, through his and others’ efforts, NZ became a British possession in February 1840 with the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi by some fifty Maori chiefs. Credited with being first person to make wine in NZ.
History of Aussie Wine
Potential recognised for winemaking in 1788 on establishment of the colony.
Vineyards have spread throughout each (marginally in Northern Territory) of the states.
Long heritage of fortified wines (Sherry and Port styles and Muscats)
Heavy investment in equipment, knowledge and vineyard has led rapidly to being recognised as a quality wine producer in many markets.
Australian Wine Trade
Leads export markets with a combination of competitive prices, consistent quality and market-led style production.
This is essential because the domestic market is small and static.
Success with varietally labelled wines that give a wine drinker a clear idea of what they can expect when they buy a bottle.
Clear concept of marketing and creating labels, both back and front that appeal to the shopper.
Three potential threats to the Australian wine industry
• Climate change and impact on water availability and quality.
Supply-demand imbalances leading sometimes to over-production while capacity grows.
Aggressive pricing with wine sold at heavily discounted prices with little profit for the company
Australian Wine Laws
Old labelling terms of Burgundy, Claret, Chablis etc have been phased out in agreement with EU law. Geographical Indications (GI) committee formed in 1993 to determine the GI for wine in Australia. Not appellations; do not specify grapes, methods or wine styles (this would restrict experimentation). Ensures validity of information on the bottle label.
85% of stated variety, 85% of stated origin, 85% of stated vintage.
Australia Topography
Vineyards generally planted near the coast on flat or rolling countryside, due to the arid, desert conditions of inland Australia, exception of Murray-Darling where the rivers once provided plentiful water for irrigation, now water shortage is a major issue.
Australia Climate
Some cool climate regions such as Tasmania and high altitude mainland sites. Overall climate is hot Mediterranean near the coast, however major differences between the wine-making zones. Vintage takes place between February and April, May in the cooler regions.
Australia Soil
The full impact of soil in Australia is still being researched but many wines are made from regions that display recognisable regional characteristics and premiums paid for fruit from prestigious regions such as Coonawarra and Mclaren Vale. Even the large ‘South Eastern Australian’ blends can combine characteristics from different regions to contribute to the overall balance and complexity.
Australia Region Structure
South Eastern Australia super-zone
State Zone eg, New South Wales
Area zone - eg, Big Rivers Zone
Region eg, Riverina
Note: South Eastern Australia covers 95% of total Australian vineyards allows blending from different regions while still qualifying for third country wine status in the EU. Often large volume branded wines.
Australia New South Wales (state) regions
Big Rivers Zone=incl Murray-Darling, Riverina, Riverlands
New South Wales (state) zone
New South Wales - Main area Hunter valley. Warm, humid, cloudy region 160km north and inland from Sydney.
Central Ranges Zone - 3 regions on slopes of Western ranges inland from Sydney; Mudgee, Orange and Cowra.
Hilltop region, new plantings at very high altitudes, various reds, Chardonnay and Semillon grown.
Australia Big Rivers Zone-New South Wales
Murray-Darling
Riverina
Riverlands
Water for irrigation from rivers. Mainly inexpensive varietal & basic table wine. Mainly mass production area badly affected by three years of drought from 2007 making price of water unaffordable against return on inexpensive wines. This as led to a reduction in vineyard area. Some excellent quality sweet botrytised Semillon from Riverina.
Australia Hunter Valley-NSW
Soils predominantly volcanic basalt. High rainfall at harvest, so grey rot a problem. Grafted vines due to phylloxera. Success of region due to tourism/close proximity to Sydney. Some importation of grapes from more reliable areas. Soft, earthy Shiraz; Semillon w/low sugar, high acidity, flavours of honey and toast. Upper Hunter sub-region, drier with irrigated vineyards, Chardonnay dominates.
Australia Central Ranges Zone -NSW
Mudgee
Orange
Cowra
Cooler climate gives concentrated Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. White varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling planted at higher altitudes with reds planted in the lower vineyards around 600m.
Canberra District
Small district, increase in plantings due to Constellation. High altitude vineyards with frost a problem, producing delicate Pinot Noir and Riesling.
Australia Victoria (state) zone
Historically important, old vineyards destroyed by phylloxera. Diverse region accounting for 25% of total production.
North-West Victoria Zone
Murray-Darling region, large quantities of healthy fruit for bulk wine production.
Port Phillip Zone - Zone encircles Port Phillip Bay with a number a regions. Yarra Valley (cool wet), Mornington Peninsula (maritime) Geelong (barren & windy. All specializing in Chard & Pinot
Australia Yarra Valley
stretches from the north eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Soil varies, from sandy or clay loam to red volcanic soil. Planted on slopes of 50 to 470m above sea level. Climate cool wet, under-ripeness and fungal diseases a problem. Main grapes Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon in warmer sites and Pinot Noir. Most widely planted grape is Chardonnay with citrus character and crisp acidity. Pinot Noir of high quality produced, with a style that is full bodied and fruity without being jammy
Australia Mornington Peninsula & Geelong (jhu-LONG)
Mornington Peninsula region, south of Melbourne maritime climate, boutique producers specialising in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Geelong barren and very windy. Also a centre for Pinot Noir production.
Australia - North-East Victoria (state) Zone
Rutherglen region, famous for Liqueur Muscats and Tokays and some red.
King Valley and Alpine Valley- high altitude, cool climate w/ experimental varieties ie Sangiovese, Graciano, Mondeuse. Lower altitude sites success with Chardonnay, Shiraz.
Australia Central Victoria Zone
The Goulburn Valley, Heathcote regions produce distinctive whites from Rhone varieties Marsanne, Rousanne and Viognier; quality Rieslings, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Australia Western Victoria Zone
Henty
Grampians Region at end of Great Dividing Range has limestone rich soils. recognised for excellent sparkling wines, incl Shiraz, made in cellars chiselled out of ancient caves found in the area. Also makes powerful, tannic still Shiraz.
Pyrenees region on rolling countryside, cooler climate produces full bodied reds and fine styles of Chardonnay.
Bendigo region warmer than the Pyrenees and produces extravagant reds from Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Australia Tasmania
Small, southerly cool climate region. Historically sparkling wine producer, now also still elegant Pinot Noir white wines from Alsatian varieties, Chardonnay, Riesling.
Australia South Australia
Area zones within South Australia zone
43% of total production, phylloxera free with strict quarantine restrictions of vineyard material and machinery from out of state.
Area Zones within S Australia Zone
Lower Murray Zone - Riverland region, large quantities for bulk wine. Healthy fruit with little disease risk due to the hot climate and low rain fall. Hot climate leads to sugar ripeness before phenolic ripeness.
Barossa Zone - Barossa region, Eden Valley region
Fleurieu Peninsula Zone - McLaren Vale region, Langhorne Creek
Mount Lofty Ranges Zone - Clare Valley, Adelaide Hills, Piccadilly Valley
Limestone Coast Zone -Coonawarra, Padthaway
Australia Barossa Zone
Barossa region, north of Adelaide, settled in the 19th century by German immigrants, soils limestone and ironstone, hot climate, top wines from old bush vine Shiraz, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Mataro (Mourvedre). Classic Barossa Shiraz full-bodied, soft spicy developing aromas of leather with age. Surrounding hills (Eden Valley region) high quality, medium-bodied dry/off-dry high acidity Rieslings, Lime and lemon developing into honey, petrol and toast with age.
Australia Fleurieu Peninsula Zone
McLaren Vale region, south of zone, cooled by ocean breezes. Red wines with soft juicy fruit and full body produced from Cabernet, Shiraz, Merlot, Grenache. Langhorne Creek produces earthy full-bodied Shiraz.
Australia Mount Lofty Ranges Zone
- Clare Valley region, cooler climate, light-bodied, austere Rieslings with ageing potential.
- Adelaide Hills, cool, specialises in Chardonnay with elegance, high acidity and nectarine and lemon characters. Growing confidence with Sauvignon Blanc. Piccadilly Valley has Chardonnay resembling Sauv Blanc due to high acidity and flavour structure. Also base for sparkling wine production, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Riesling, Semillon.
Australia Limestone Coast Zone
400km south-east of Adelaide, cool climate, influenced by ocean currents. Coonawarra soils of red terra rossa soil over limestone base = top quality Cabernet Sauvignon. Spring frost, rain at harvest, under ripeness of fruit are main viticultural problems. Similar soils found in surrounding regions.
Padthaway has a warmer climate with richer fruit flavours.
Australia Western Australia (state) Zone
Relatively small production, has become a high quality, high prices on int’l. market.
Greater Perth Zone - Swan Valley region, very hot climate, dry summers. Historic region.
South-West Australia Zone - Main region Margaret River, Great Southern region - Frankland River and Mount Barker are sub-regions of Great Southern region
Australia South-West Australia Zone
South-West Australia Zone - Main region Margaret River, maritime climatel dry warm summers, wet winters due to proximity to sea. Strong spring winds can disrupt flowering. High salt content in ground water makes dams for irrigation essential. Outstanding Bordeaux blends, varietal Cab, elegant Chardonna & herbaceous, aromatic Semillon produced.
Great Southern region - Frankland River and Mount Barker are sub-regions. Young vineyard area, experimentation with varieties still occurring. Known for full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon, peppery Shiraz and pure fruit driven Riesling. Pemberton region produces good Pinot Noir
Australia Grape Varieties
Approximately 90 different grape varieties grown. Top grafting common to change variety quickly. 8 main white, 8 main red varieties are grown.
Red - Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Ruby Cabernet, Grenache, Mataro (Mourvedre), Cabernet Franc.
White - Chardonnay, Thompson Seedless, Semillon, Riesling, Muscat Gordo Blanco, Sauvignon Blanc, Colombard and Verdelho.
All for high qual varietals and blends, Thompson, Muscat GB, Colombard used for bulk wine.
Australia Shiraz
Many low yielding old vines pulled in the 1980’s vine-pull scheme. Remaining old vines a major factor in quality Shiraz. Soft, spicy wine, develops leather and caramel with age in hot climates. Elegant with peppery characters in cool climates. Multi-region blends combine the characters. Blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, giving softness and body. Shiraz-Viognier Cote Rotie style blends made by some producers. Other experimental blends produced.
Australia Cabernet Sauvignon
Dark blackcurrant and blackberry with high acidity and firm tannins. Single varietal or blend with Shiraz or Merlot.
Classic regions include Coonawarra and Margaret River.
Australia Chardonnay
Planted widely, range of different styles. Blending throughout regions common; each contributing different aromas, and degrees of oak, lees and malolactic characters.
Oak treatment often used (chips, staves in tank, barrel fermentation and ageing), recent trend for un-oaked Chardonnay. Also blended with Semillon.
Australia Riesling
Riesling - Citrus fruit developing into toast, honey and petrol with age. Unoaked and usually dry. Classic regions include Eden and Clare Valley.
Australia Semillon
Planted widely for blending. Classic region is Hunter Valley producing light-bodied wines with crisp acidity developing toast, nut and honey with age. Herbaceous style produced in Western Australia similar to Sauvignon Blanc.
Australian Influence
Influence on wine production, marketing, and even distribution huge: enormous influence on wine world of late 20th century. Viticulturists pioneered sophisticated canopy management techniques, niceties of irrigation (partial rootzone drying), hi-tech soil mapping. Aussie winemakers travelled, exp the northern him where the harvest is opposite, imbuing many wineries w/ Australian technology, obsession with hygiene, record water usage (see flying winemakers). Commitment to long hours, ignoring weekends, evenings, at critical periods at harvest. Graduates of oenology/viticulture courses at Australian universities such as Adelaide and Charles Sturt university are now dispersed around the world. Australian wine research institute (AWRI) increasingly recognized as one of most important, and practical, forces in academe. World’s largest and canniest wine company, E & J gallo of California, recruited an Australian to lead its wine research department into the new millennium. Overtook France to be most important exporter of wine to UK, o at the beginning of the century, and went on to perform the same trick
in US, but Aussie wine this popular only temporarily w/ Americans. Success of Yellow tail tarnished image, came to be dismissively associated with ‘critter brands’. Such late-20th-century success developing/ selling brands to suit the modern international marketplace, so for many years seen as a model even by such experienced wine exporters as the French. Alliances between Australian companies and global players in the drinks trade have been a notable feature of the globalization of the wine trade
Geographical Indications
(GI) catch-all term intended to cover various approaches to geographical delimitation across the globe, including straightforward systems of new world countries that control only the origin of grapes, as well as the European appellation model that regulates conditions of production such as variety and yield. GIs can vary greatly in size and consequently in the promise of specificity they convey. South Eastern Australia and France’s Pays d’Oc both immense, covering many thousands of hectares, whereas the smallest, such as the Burgundy grands crus, cover just a few hectares. But in every case, should be more than a mere indication of source. They must signify a link between a place and the characteristics of the wines that are produced there. Geographical indications recognized as a special form of intellectual property in 1994 through the WTO’s Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property. The agreement defines a GI as ‘an indication that identifies a good as originating in the territory of a country, or a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality, or reputation, or other characteristic, of the good is essentially attributable to its geographical origin’. This definition applies not only to wine but all products. All 158 member countries of WTO required to provide means for legal protection of GIs against misuse. Wines and spirits have higher level of protection than other products but each country interprets obligations differently, resulting in a diverse range of approaches to GI protection as well as controversy. Many countries have incorporated the term ‘geographical indication’ directly into their legislation, including Australia and China. The eu created the Protected Geographical Indication (pgi) category for wines in 2008 although this is seen as a lower guarantee of typicality than the more strictly controlled Protected Designation of Origin (pdo) category.
Australia Special Late Harvested
term which should according to eu labelling law be applied to wines made in Australia from ‘fresh ripe grapes of which a significant proportion have been desiccated under natural conditions in a manner favouring the concentration of sugars in the berries’.
In South Africa, refers to a lighter style of dessert wine harvested at a minimum of 22 ºBalling and with at least 11% alcohol. If the residual sugar is less than 20 g/ l, the label must indicate whether the wine is extra dry, dry, semi-sweet, or sweet. www.wosa.co.za/ sa/ varieties_styles.php
Australia Stickie
Australian term for sweet, usually fortified, wines. Typical examples are the topaques and muscats of rutherglen and Glenrowan in North East victoria.
Australia CSIRO
(Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization), one of world’s largest most diverse research institutions. Its charter covers research into areas of economic, environmental, and social benefit to australia. Early research solving immediate problems of adaptation of northern hemisphere practices, irrigation, and pest and disease control to the new Australian regions. After WWII research broadened to include nematology (see nematodes), irrigation, hydrology, and basic vine physiology. In the 1960s, there was an even greater shift in emphasis to viticultural research. A new laboratory was opened in Adelaide to accommodate a group of plant (largely vine) physiologists. An early result of research was the introduction of the complementary management techniques of minimal pruning and mechanical harvesting. Around this time, the grapevine germplasm collection was established at Mildura and now contains around 680 varieties of many species. vine breeding and selection has yielded a number of new varieties such as tarrango, taminga, tyrian, and cienna as well as successful table and drying grapes. In the 1990s, CSIRO extended its research to encompass computer modelling of vine growth, water and nutrient application, yield estimation, and precision viticulture. genetic modification is an increasingly important avenue of research in viticulture worldwide, and CSIRO achieved the transformation Sultana and a range of wine grape varieties in the late 1990s. The genes controlling colour were also identified. New CSIRO wine-grape research initiatives include a focus on disease resistance, ripening, and flavour and aroma development in berries, this last aimed at understanding the management and genetics of grape flavour and aroma and links to final wine quality. Results of CSIRO research have given Australian viticulturists access to improved varieties, rootstocks resistant to salt and nematodes, and water and nutrient management strategies suited to different environments.
Roseworthy
town north of Adelaide in state of south australia, close to Barossa Valley, known in the wine world for Australia’s first agricultural college, established in 1883. Trained a high proportion of winemakers and viticulturists in Australia and New Zealand and contributed greatly to the technical standing of the Australian wine industry until 1991 when relocated to the Waite campus of the University of Adelaide, where the australian wine research institute and csiro were already sited.
Charles Sturt University
one of Australia’s foremost research and teaching institutions for grape-growers and winemakers. Courses started in 1976 within the Riverina College of Advanced Education, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales (NSW) to satisfy the need, within the rapidly growing wine industry, for a teaching institution in addition to roseworthy. In 1989, the College combined with other regional teaching institutions in NSW to form Charles Sturt University (CSU). Distance education (DE), initially a controversial option for the wine industry, now predominant means of learning, allowing students to continue in their current profession while studying. CSU also offers its degrees through partner institutions in New Zealand and elsewhere in Australia. In 1997, CSU joined the NSW Government’s Department of Primary Industries and the NSW Wine Industry Association to form the National Wine and Grape Industry Centre, conducts research and offers extension services to assist the wine industry in applying best practice.
Pernod Ricard
First significant wine acquisition in 1989, the Orlando Wyndham Group of Australia included the brand jacob’s creek. Etchart of Argentina, owner of Graffigna, followed in 1992, and then in 2005 Allied Domecq which included not just an array of spirits, but Montana (now brancott estate), and Stoneleigh in New Zealand, Campo Viejo in Rioja, and Mumm and Perrier-Jouët champagnes. In 2013 the company invested in the Chinese wine brand Helan Mountain of Ningxia and in 2014 acquired Kenwood Vineyards of California.
Penfolds
Makers of Australia’s most famous fine wine Penfolds Grange, now owned by treasury wine. Penfolds’ first vineyard founded in 1844 at Magill, South Australia, by Dr Christopher Rawson Penfold. For more than 100 years, Penfolds, like most Australian wineries, concentrated on producing fortified wines and brandy, much of which was exported to the UK. In 1950, Max Schubert, then chief winemaker, visited Europe, primarily to observe the making of sherry in Spain, but detoured on the way home to visit Bordeaux, where he was taken in hand by Christian cruse. This inspired him to adopt an entirely new approach to fermentation techniques and the use of new oak, the aim being simultaneously to protect the varietal flavour of Shiraz while adding a level of complexity previously unknown in Australia. Schubert’s ambition was to create a red that would rival the finest wines of Bordeaux for both quality and the potential to improve with age for up to 50 years. This he achieved with Penfolds Grange (known as Penfolds Grange Hermitage until eu authorities objected to this misappropriation of a French place-name), now widely acknowledged to be Australia’s greatest wine. The first vintage of Grange, named after Dr Penfold’s cottage in Magill, was 1951; all early vintages were made from Shiraz grapes grown at Magill and Morphett Vale, Adelaide, and the wine was matured in new American oak for 12 months. So intense did the first vintages seem that they were rejected as maverick ‘dry port’. In 1957, Schubert was ordered to cease production of Grange; instead he took the operation underground, emerging three years later when maturing vintages began to fulfil their promise. In fact, fine vintages of Grange improve for up to 30 years and beyond (the 1952 and 1953 vintages were still magnificent), and the wine became the first new world wine to become an internationally acknowledged collectible. Fruit from Kalimna in the Barossa Valley was introduced in 1961, boosted by grapes from the Clare and Koonunga Hill vineyards. Small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon are included in most vintages of Grange, and the wood-ageing period has been lengthened to between 18 and 20 months. The wine is not released until five years after the vintage. A string of award-winning red wines from Penfolds followed, many identified by bin numbers which originated in the winery stock-keeping system. Of particular note is Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon. In 1998 Penfolds released the first vintage of its super-premium Yattarna Chardonnay, now recognized as one of Australia’s finest. A stream of ‘Special Bin’ luxury reds followed in the early 2000s, not least the 2008 Bin 620 Cabernet/ Shiraz, priced in line with first growth bordeaux, and 2010 Bin 170 Kalimna Shiraz that is even more expensive. If prices are a guide, Penfolds has truly arrived on the luxury catwalk. As of 2014 the brand was owned by treasury wine estates.
Lifestyle Winery
term coined in new zealand for a small winery established and run, typically by an educated young to middle-aged couple who have access to funds generated by another career, more for its bucolic appeal than as a strictly commercial proposition.
Constellation Brands
term coined in new zealand for a small winery established and run, typically by an educated young to middle-aged couple who have access to funds generated by another career, more for its bucolic appeal than as a strictly commercial proposition.
Australia Wine Shows
Now a universal phenomenon, and have occupied a particularly important place in Australia’s wine culture, taking place in each australian state’s capital, with some uniquely Australian features. Each class (established by variety and vintage( s)) is judged by a panel of three judges, one being panel chair, and three associate judges. If one or more of the judges has given gold medal points to a wine, it will automatically be retasted and discussed and the show chair may well be called in. The trophies and medals awarded to the more successful exhibitors are used extensively in marketing and promotion, and are accepted as reliable indicators of quality by retailers and consumers alike. But the greater long-term benefit has been for the winemaker judges, drawn from the leading wineries and schooled by chairs in the tradition of Len evans.
Ruby Cabernet
red vinifera Carignan x Cabernet Sauvignon cross bred in and for california in 1936 and released in 1948. Dr H. P. Olmo of the University of California at davis (see also emerald riesling, carnelian) was attempting to combine Cabernet characteristics with Carignan productivity and heat tolerance. The slightly rustic Ruby Cabernet enjoyed a heyday in California in the 1960s and even in 2012 was still grown on more than 6,000 acres/ 1,482 ha, mainly in the southern san joaquin valley (though is only half as popular as the red-fleshed hybrid rubired). It is even more popular in South Africa where it was grown in 2012 on a total of 2,250 ha, mainly in hotter inland wine regions, and has also been grown quite extensively in Australia’s inland regions; indeed Ruby Cabernet appeared increasingly on Australian wine labels during the country’s red wine shortage of the late 1990s.
Partial Rootzone Drying
or PRD, Australian irrigation technique designed to control vine vigour and maintain wine quality with minimum interference to yield. Developed by scientists Dry and Loveys from the University of adelaide and csiro, after observation of basic vine physiology in response to water stress. Initially using vines with divided root systems, they discovered that when only a portion of a vine’s root system was drying, transpiration was reduced and shoot growth was slowed as a consequence of the production of the hormone abscisic acid by drying roots. Field experiments with Cabernet Sauvignon showed that it was possible to control shoot vigour and reduce the amount of water needed while maintaining yield and quality. This was achieved with two drip irrigation lines per row, used alternately for irrigation while the other part of the root system was drying. The results from these studies have been used to interpret some of the known beneficial effects of water stress, especially for red wine quality. Commercial adoption in vineyards has been limited thus far. However, research on grapevines and other crops has clearly shown that PRD can generate a unique physiological response that is distinct from what happens with conventional irrigation, including regulated deficit irrigation.
Regulated Deficit Irrigation
(RDI), an irrigation scheduling technique which uses strategially managed mild water stress at key stages of fruit development to reduce vegetative growth and improve berry ripening and thus improve grape quality. RDI was first applied on peach and pear orchards in Australia in the 1980s. Research showed that it restricted shoot growth without significantly affecting yield. Now common practice in many vineyards around the world, especially in those planted to black grape varieties, due to the greater benefits to grape colour. Mmain benefits are less competition between berry ripening and vegetative growth, better water conservation, and reduced berry size. Successful application requires careful monitoring of evapotranspiration and soil water content and typically results in slightly lower yields. It is most effectively applied through drip irrigation, which allows the application of small amounts of water. RDI is more stressful to the vine than partial rootzone drying and its use in hot regions can cause problems if its application is followed by a spell of hot weather: vines with limited soil moisture can suffer extremes of water stress, which may, for example, lead to rapid loss of leaves. This situation can be alleviated by carefully monitoring weather forecasts and applying some irrigation. Water deficit is generally applied between fruit set and a week or so after veraison but is generally avoided in the later stages of berry ripening
Dryland Viticulture
viticulture relying entirely on natural rainfall, and a term used, sometimes as a sales pitch, only in regions where irrigation is common. There can be little doubt that some European areas with both moderate rainfall and Mediterranean climates, now practising fully dryland viticulture, could in some circumstances improve their wine quality if limited irrigation were allowed. Excessive water stress causes loss of photosynthesis and eventually of the leaves themselves, and can seriously prejudice normal ripening. On the other hand, even in New World regions where irrigation is widely practised, dryland vineyards are often prized for the quality of their fruit, for which some wineries will pay a premium, thereby allowing such vineyards to remain economical. As water shortages become more prevalent, dryland viticulture is likely to become more common., at least in regions of moderate rainfall.
Len Evans - Quick Facts
(1930- 2006), A promoter, taster, judge, teacher, and maker of wine who diid more to advance the cause of wine in australia than any other individual.
Born in England - architect and pro golfer and was later recognized for his contribution in England.
Arrived in Sydney in 1955, immersed in wine and by 1965 was the first National Promotions Executive for the Australian Wine Board.
One of the few to see that future was in table wine rather than in sweet fortified drinks.
As a performer he caused such a stir that Australians were convinced that real men could indeed drink table wine.
Started the Rothbury Estate in the Hunter valley
Created the options game - which raised money for charity.
Acquired properties in graves, sauternes, and the napa Valley, with plans to staff them using an early version of the flying winemaker concept.
In 1996 was part of a hostile takeover bid from Fosters, owners of Beringer Blass wines.
Evans Family Wines and the Tower winery and luxurious lodge in the Hunter Valley became his chief endeavor.
Commemorated by the “Len Evans Tutorial”, an annual orgy of blind tasting.
Australia - History
1788 vines brought to Australia
1824 - James Busby immigrated bringing cuttings from Spain and France
Mid 20th Century - shift from port and sherry-style to table and fine wines
Last 30 years - growth, emphasis on quality, increased technology, production
Australia, generally
4% of world wine production
5th largest exporter
consistent quality
Wine drinker has a clear idea of what they can expect in the bottle
Good marketing
Almost 50% is cask or bag-in-box
Exports to UK, US, China (growing)
Australia Trade
Australian Wine Research Institute - helped establish high standards; growing backlash against “brand Australia”
Creation of SE Australia vs. terroir-driven wines
5 companies control more than 50%:
Treasury
Accolade
Pernod Ricard
Australian Vintage
Casella
Threats to Australian wine industry
Domestic market is static
Climate change - fire, drought, floods; water availability
Water issues
Over supply
Aggressive pricing leaves little profit
Australian Influence
Canopy Management
Partial Rootzone Drying
Soil Mapping
Flying winemakers
Hygiene
Water Usage
AWRI
Australian Laws
85% - variety, vintage, region
No restrictions on grape varieties, methods, styles
Super Zone - SE Australia - 95% of wine
Zones
Regions
Subregions
Phasing out generic terms
Australian Topography
Generally planted on coast
Flat or rolling countryside
Inland is arid and dessert
EXCEPTION - Murray-Darling - rivers once provided plentiful water for irrigation, now drought threatens this
Australia climate
Overall hot med
Cooler at latitude and altitude
Winter-spring rainfall, dry summer, early autumn, needs irrigation
In New South Wales - sub-tropical with more rainfall, high temps, high humidity
Australia Viticulture
varied soils
Mostly wire trained - mechanization (80%)
Some old un-grafted bush trained Shiraz in Barossa & McLaren Vale
Sustainable viticulture
Heavily dependent on irrigation
(High salt content in water table)
Phylloxera free in S. Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and parts of New South Wales
Rain, mildew, humidity, summer fires, frosts, droughts, floods
Water Stress
evaporation and root zone drying
much depends on humidity
pre verasion stops shoot tip growth, limits berry size and phenolics
leaves wilt and berries shrivel
closes stomata and hormones in reaction- reduces photosynth
can cause dormancy
reduces fruit set
Minimal pruning
CSIRO
zero pruning seen
Bulk wines and Coonawarra
natural state philosophy
many short shoots as opposed to more long ones
produces more fruit but delays ripening
host to pests
good in hot and dry climate
Partial Rootzone Drying
Controls vigor without affecting yield
less water needed
two lines of irrigation that alternate
mimics positive water stress
Regulated deficit Irrigation
mild water stress at stages of fruit development to reduce vegetative growth and improve ripening.
Reduces shoots without affecting yields
black grapes have more color
reduced berrie size
more stressful than partial root zone drying, especially if followed by hot weather
Fruit set through version
avoided during ripening
Australia Vinification
Large-scale vineyards (few wineries - 20 companies produce 87% of the wine)
Grapes often travel long distances in tankards from vineyards to corporate cellars
High tech equipment and techniques
Acidification common
Chaptalization prohibited
Screwcaps - 85-90%
Goal - max preservation of varietal fruit flavor and soft, supple texture
Achieve consistency through blending
South East Autralia
95% of total wine production
Blending across most of Australia for varietally-labeled EU exported wines
(part of) Queensland
NSW
Victoria
South Australia
Tasmania
blended wines
South Australia
Reputation for large-scale mediocre wines but some high quality appellations and producers
Phylloxera free - strict quarantine
Dominates output - 43%
SE Corner
Barossa Zone (Eden Valley)
Mount Lofty Ranges (Clare Valley, Adelaide Hills)
Fleurieu zone (McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek)
Limestone coast Zone (Coonawarra, Padthaway)
Lower Murray Zone (Riverland)
Barossa Valley
South Australia
Mediterranean climate with large diurnal range and low humidity
Soils vary - clay loam, sandy, limestone, ironstone
Riesling once dominated
150 year old vines; ungrafted, bush vines, dry farmed
Shiraz, Cab, Grenache, Mourvedre, Semillon, Riesling
Penfolds
Urban sprawl
Scarce water
Trend to move into hills
Old rhone style
2 styles of Shiraz: Ultra ripe, high alcohol, dark chocolate OR Shiraz-Cab blends
INCL Eden Valley
Eden Valley
South Australia
Barossa Zone
Cool climate - later ripening
Hilly with sandy loam, clay loam, gravel soils
Riesling, Shiraz, Cab, Chardonnay
Lime Riesling, dry or off dry, not as full bodied
Less fruit less alcohol more floral Riesling
Med body Shiraz, restrained, high acid
Mount Lofty Ranges Zone
South Australia
Clare Valley, Adelaide Hills
Clare Valley
South Australia, Mount Lofty Zone
Continental - cool afternoon breezes, low humidity
Terra Rosa topsoil over limestone to broken slate
Riesling is great - light bodied, lime, steely, dry
Shiraz, Cab, Malbec, Semillon
Med + alch (not high)
Ages well
Some noble rot
Adelaide Hills
South Australia, Mount Lofty Zones
High, cool - warm days, cool nights, big diurnal range, irrigation needed
Chard, SB, Riesling, Cab, Merlot, PN, Shiraz, Grenache
Chardonnay - excellent reputation, boutique producers, pronounced fruit (nectarine), whole bunch pressent, barrel fermentation, partial MLF, batonnage
Piccadilly Valley - Chard resembles SB due to high acid
Chard as base for sparkling wine
Fine Sauvignon Blanc
Low altitude areas for Shiraz and cab
Shiraz often with Viognier
Fleurieu Zone
3
South Australia
Maritime
Cool ocean breezes
Cab, Shiraz, Merlot, Grenache
Unspoiled zone
Kangaroo is a vine paradise
McLaren Vale
Langhorne Creek Region
Mclaren Vale
South Australia, Fleurieu Zone
Narrow band of land between sea nd Mt. Lofty Range
Ocean breezes temper climate; substantial variation in mesoclimate
Soil types vary, site selection important
Small wineries
Jacobs creek juice
Chard, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
SHIRAZ AND CAB
Dry land Grenache
Intensively planted
New plantings of Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Mourvedre, Barbera - suited to Mediterranean climate
Reds rich + alcohol
Langhorne Creek
South Australia, Fleurieu Peninsula Zone
Flat river delta landscape
Alluvial and sandy loam soils
Shiraz and cab, often blended
Large yields of medium body red
Jacobs creek
Temperate climate
Limestone Coast Zone
Southern Australia
Cool, influenced by ocean currents
High quality
Wrattonbully, coonawarra, padthaway
Water table
Spring frost
Rain at harvest
Under ripeness issue
Coonawarra
South Australia, Limestone Coast Zone
Narrow strip of land
Maritime climate - dry, cool summers, cold Antarctic current; persistent cloud cover
Flat land, mechanized
Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Shiraz, Chard, Riesling
Terra Rossa soil over limestone
Spring frost, rain at harvest, under-ripeness, drought
Dominated by large producers
Coonawarra Cab - pure fruit expression; structured, intense, mineral cabs
Picked in April
Padthaway
South Australia, Limestone Coast
Moderately cool maritime
Grape growing more than wine-making
Mainstream varieties - richer fruit flavors
Good chard
Quality Shiraz
Yields affect quality
Lindemans here, bring in fruit
Lower Murray Zone
South East Australia
Riverland is it’s only region
Most productive region in nation
Irrigated by Murray
Drought issues
Grape quality improving
“South East Australia”
Bulk
Healthy fruit little disease
Hot climate - continental
Little rain
Sugar ripe before phenolic ripe
Varied soil
Riverland
South East Australia
Big river zones
Lower Murray Zone
Along Murray
Australia’s largest wine producing region
Over 30% of nations crush
Changing from bulk to quality
Cheap, oak chips
Irrigated by Murray
Drought issues
Chard, Shiraz, Cab, Merlot; also Arneis to Zinfandel in new varieties
Victoria
Most producers of any state
3rd most wine - 25%
SE corner
Castella from Swiss Victorian Era: WWII, phyllox and changes collapsed
Diversity
Central Victoria Zone
Marsanne, Rousanne, Viognier, Riesling, Shiraz, cab
Goulburn Valley: warm inland valley moderated by lakes and creeks; red and brown sandy loam, yellow-brown clay, gravelly quarts sands; some of oldest Marsanne in the world
Heathcote: 500 million year old Cambrian Greenstones soil of decomposed igneous rock (red and brown), temperate climate, striking shiraz, + alcohol, rich
North East Victoria Zone
Continental climate - warm summer and autumn, cool nights
Rutherglen Muscat
Shiraz, Riesling, Marsanne, Chardonnay, Sangiovese, Gamay
King Valley & Alpine Valley - high altitude, cool climate, experimental grades (Sangiovese, Graciano, Mondeuse); lower altitude sites Chard and Shiraz
Port Phillip Zone
Victoria
Varied soil (sand-clay-volcanic)
Range of climate conditions, altitude and maritime influences
-Yarra Valley
-Mornington Peninsula
-Geelong (windy Pinot noir)
Yarra Valley
Victoria, Port Philip Zone
Cool and wet
Under-ripeness and fungal disease
Sandy or clay loam to well-draiend red volcanic soil
Pinot (full-bodied and fruity)
Chard (most planted, citrus, high acid)
Cab, Shiraz
Mornington peninsula
Victoria, Port Philip Zome
Maritime climate, high humidity, late ripening, prolonged fall
Varied soils
Boutique producers
PN, Chard, PG
Geelong Region
Victoria, Port Philip Zone
Cool, coastal with strong wines
Varied soils
Geelong Pinot - new world fruit, purity plus complexity and structure of Burgundy; never as much alcohol as CA or as “fruity” as Central Otago
Western Victoria Zone
Red wine dominated
Pyrenees Region - cooler, inland, large diurnal shift; soils often improved with gypsum and lime; Shiraz, Cab, SB, Chard
Grampians- mediterranean, higher altitude, limestone, temperate, tannic & peppery Shiraz and sparkling shiraz
Bendigo- relatively warmer extravagant reds from cab and Shiraz
New South Wales
Most Populated
Elevation and latitude important
Climate like Languedoc with more rain
Brett is an issue, so more SO2 used
Wine tourism
Big River Zone: Riverina, Murray-Darling, Swan Hill
Central Range Zone: Mudgee, Orange, Cowra
Hunter Valley
Canberra District
Riverina
New South Wales, Big Rivers Zone
2nd largest wine-producing region in Australia
Flat plains, varied soils
Warm climate, higher humidity later in season
Chard, Semillon, Shiraz, Cab, Muscat Gordo Blanco & Sultana
Casella (Yellow tail)
called “South East Australia wines”
wine factory
Murray river for irrigation
Drought Issues
Riverina Botrytis Semillon - Sauternes style
Murray Darling
New South Wales, Big Rivers Zone
Stretches to Victoria
soil holds little water
little rainfall
low cost high yield grapes
bulk production, Improving
depends on Irrigation
Bin 65 brand
Central Ranges Zone
New South Wales
Cooler climate
Concentrated chard and cab
Riesling and sauv Blanc at high sites
Reds in the lower vineyards
Mudgee - oldest unbroken history of vicitulture; higher altitude, cooler climate, frost and cold nights delay budbreak; Chard, Semillon, Riesling, Cab, Shiraz
Orange Region - elevation, varying soil; Chard, SB, Cab, Merlot, Shiraz
Cowra - continental climate, flat plains, irrigation, some slopes, Chard is key (and age-worthy), mostly generic lower priced varietal production though
Hunter Valley Zone
New South Wales
Australia’s oldest region
Hot climate
Prone to rain during harvest
Winter and spring drought
Humid afternoons, afternoon cloud cover reduces stress on vines
Shiraz, Semillon, Chard, Verdelho, Cab, Tempranillo, Sangiovese, Pinot Gris
Lower Hunter
New South Wales
Volcanic basalt soils
Active phylloxera
Huge vintage variation
Rain at harvest - grey rot
Semillon & age-worthy Shiraz
cloudy, hot, humid
cloudy means lower abv earthy shiraz and some vine disease
Upper Hunter
New South Wales
Chardonnay and Semillion
Lower Rainfall
rosemont here
rain in pre harvest weeks
Irrigated vineyards
Hunter Valley Semillon
acidic and neutral but in time evolves into complex wines with honeyed toasty notes (10-20 years); not traditionally oaked
Hunter Valley Shiraz
med body, savory, earthy, iodine
moderately tannic
long-lived
close to N Rhone style
Canberra District Region
New South Wales
Small wineries
Continental climate - frequent threat of spring frost, recurring spring and summer drought, high diurnal range, cool harves season
Site climate diversity
PN, Riesling, Chard, SB, Semillon, Cab, Shiraz
Western Australia
SW corner
Isolated
3% of total production but 30% of awards
Boutique wineries, high prices
Includes Greater Perth Zones: Swan District and Swan Valley
South West Australia Zone: Margaret River, Great Southern
