Australia Flashcards
When did viticulture first arrive in Australia?
1788
Vines arrived with the First Fleet of British prisoners.
What event spurred the arrival of free settlers in Australia?
The promise of gold
This led to the flourishing of viticulture in Australia.
By what year was over 6000 liters of wine exported to Britain?
1854
Which two brands are recognized as early Australian wineries?
- Penfolds
- Lindemans
What major issue impacted Australia’s wine industry in the latter half of the 19th century?
Phylloxera
Phylloxera decimated the Victorian wine industry.
What region emerged as the largest wine production area in Australia following the phylloxera crisis?
South Australia
What significant political change occurred in 1901 that benefited Australian viticulture?
Creation of the Commonwealth of Australia
What percentage of Australia’s grapes are produced in South Australia today?
50%
From which rivers did irrigation become crucial for Australian viticulture?
- Murray
- Darling
- Murrumbidgee
What percentage of Australia’s wine production consisted of sweet, fortified wines until the 1960s?
80%
Which grape varieties led the premium varietal wine movement in Australia?
- Chardonnay
- Shiraz (Syrah)
- Cabernet Sauvignon
What innovative packaging technology was developed in Australia?
Bag-in-the-box
What is the role of the Australian Wine Research Institute?
Contributes to the scientific understanding of grapes
What harvesting method is commonly used in Australia due to labor constraints?
Mechanical harvesting
What technique developed by CSIRO helps manage vineyard vigor?
Minimal (zero) pruning
What is a major concern for Australian viticulture due to the climate?
Water rights
Which Australian wine is known as one of the first collectible bottlings?
Penfolds Grange
What natural disaster in 2009 affected vineyards in Victoria?
Brush fires
What is the main regulatory body overseeing the Australian wine industry?
Wine Australia
What does the Label Integrity Program require?
Minimum 85% of stated grape, year, or region
What are Australian wine regions defined as?
Geographical Indications (GIs)
What is the significance of the Riverina region in New South Wales?
Represents Australian industrial viticulture at its most efficient
Which grape is primarily associated with the Hunter Valley?
Semillon
What notable wine is produced in the Canberra District?
Clonakilla’s Canberra District Shiraz
What climate characteristic affects coastal Victoria’s wine production?
Sea breezes from Antarctica
What is unique about the Yarra Valley’s climate compared to Bordeaux or Burgundy?
Winter average temperatures are lower
What type of wines are primarily produced in the Yarra Valley?
Pinot Noir
What are the winter average temperatures like in the Yarra Valley compared to Bordeaux or Burgundy?
Lower than Bordeaux or Burgundy
Name three regions within Port Phillip known for Pinot Noir wines.
- Yarra Valley
- Mornington Peninsula
- Geelong
Which French Champagne giant started the Australian Domaine Chandon in the Yarra Valley?
Moët & Chandon
What are the two distinct soil types found in the Yarra Valley?
- Gray-brown sandy loam
- Red basalt-derived soils
What grape varieties thrive in the cooler Mornington Peninsula region?
- Pinot Noir
- Pinot Gris
- Chardonnay
Which inland zones in Victoria experience a more continental climate?
- North West Victoria
- Central Victoria
- North East Victoria
What is the main grape variety produced in the North West Victoria zone?
Chardonnay and Shiraz
What disaster did Phylloxera cause in Victoria’s wine regions?
Spelled disaster for many wineries
Which producer in the Nagambie Lakes subregion protected its vineyards from Phylloxera?
Tahbilk
What is the fortified wine style produced from Muscadelle grapes in North East Victoria?
Topaque
True or False: Rutherglen’s aged, fortified Brown Muscat wines are dry and light.
False
What classification system does the Muscat of Rutherglen Network use?
A voluntary four-tier classification system
What is the primary wine region in South Australia known for its diversity?
Limestone Coast
Which region in the Limestone Coast is known for producing Australia’s best Cabernet Sauvignon?
Coonawarra
What soil type is famously associated with Coonawarra?
Terra rossa
Fill in the blank: The Lower Murray zone is known for its heavily irrigated _______.
Riverland GI
What types of grapes are predominant in the McLaren Vale region?
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Rhône varieties
What is unique about the Clare Valley’s interpretation of Riesling?
Australia’s most classic and ageworthy interpretation
Name two notable producers from Barossa Valley.
- Penfolds
- Torbreck
What grape variety is most planted in Tasmania?
Pinot Noir
What is the climate like in Northern Tasmania compared to other wine regions?
Similar to Champagne or the Rheingau
Which wine style is Tasmania particularly known for producing?
Traditional method sparkling wines
