Australia Flashcards
Australia History
- First vineyards were planted in New South Wales in the late 18th century
- Commercial viticulture established in multiple areas across the south between 1820 and 1840
- Phylloxera caused serious setbacks in Victoria
- Recovered quickly but shifted towards foritfied wines from warm regions
- Fine wine gained in prominence with advent of temperature-controlled fermenters in the mid 1950s
Australia Climate
- Australia is the world’s driest inhabited continent with a hot desert interior that is inhospitable to viticulture
- Most wine regions are clustered in the southeastern part of the continent in temperatre latitudes near the major cities
Australia Soil Type
Ancient, eroded and nutrient-poor soils with great diversity
Australia Grape Varietals
White:
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Semillon
- Riseling
Red:
- Shiraz
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Grenache
- Pinot Noir
Australia Viticulture
- Vine growing is concentrated in cooler coastal areas moderated by the Southern and Indian Oceans. Vineyards are also planted in cooler high-elevation areas
- Irrigation is imperative, especially for turning vast interior Outback into land hospitable for vine growing
- The warm, dry climate tends to produce very ripe grapes. It is important–though often difficult–to maintain adequete natural acidity for achieving balance in finished wines
- The combination of artisanal and industrial wineries is an important factor in Australian wine production
Australia Vinification
- Australia’s wine industry has long been a world leader in technological development, partly due to a strongly innovative culture and partly because expansion could only be achieved through mechanization due to labor shortages
- Emphasis on technical precision has also manifested itself in a braod tendency to produce wines in a very clean, fruit-driven style
- Oak aging: Traditionally, American oak was prevalent, but use of French barriques has become increasingly common
- Acidification is often employed to counterbalance the effects of the country’s warm climate
- Australia has long been a global leader in alternative packaging and closures, from bag-in-box to screw caps for still wines and crown caps for sparkling wines
Australia and Large Scale Blending
Vineyards and wineries in Australia are often widely separated. Graped are frequently trucked hundreds of miles to a winery for vinification. many wines are blending from multiple growing sites far removed from one another, with the objective of attaining consistent flavors from year to year. This practice is not limited to bulk production. Indeed, some of the Australia’s most esteemed wines are made by this method, including the iconic Penfolds “Grange”. Blending grapes and regions is crucial to the consistency and quality of Australian wine.
Australian Labeling Laws
The Label Integrity Program of Australia requires an 85% minimum across the board
- 85% stated grape variety on label
- 85% stated vintage on label
- 85% stated region on label
Australian Appellation System
Geographic Indications (GI) -Australian GIs define geographical areas much like AVAs of the United States
GI Categories:
- Country Australia
- South-Eastern Australia
- State of Origin
- Zones
- Regions
- Sub-Regions
New South Wales Geography
Eastern Australia near Sydney
New South Wales Climate
Cooler and wetter near the coast, dry and arid inland
New South Wales Topography
The Great Dividing Range runs north to south, separating the wet coastal regions from the dry interior
New South Wales Important GIs
- Hunter Valley - Hunter GI
- Riverina GI
Hunter GI Geography
North of Sydney
Hunter GI Cliamte
- Hot and humid; among the warmest climates in Australia
- Moderated by wind and the cooling effect of the sea
Hunter GI Topography
Gentle, flat river valley
Hunter GI Grape Varieties
White (60% of production):
-Semillon
Riverina GI Geography
Far inland on the western side of the Great Dividing Range in the fertile river lands. Riverina is the largest wine region in Australia
Riverina GI Climate
Hot and very humid in some areas
Riverina GI Grape Varietals
White:
- Semillon
- Chardonnay
Red:
- Shiraz
- Merlot
Riverina GI Viticulture
- Riverina represents 50% of Australian wine production
- Irrigation from nearby rivers is required for viticulture in this area to succeed
Riverina GI Vinification
Riverina is most known for bulk table wine production but also produced foritfied wines and botrytis-affected dessert wines
Victoria Geography
Southeastern Australia, with Melbourne being the most important metropolis
Victoria Climate
A broad range, extending from cool, coastla maritime to continental, which can be very hot when remote from the Southern Ocean
Victoria Vinification
Victoria produces a wide range of wine styles depending on location and climate
- Sparkling
- Still
- Fortified
- Dessert
Victoria Important GIs
- Yarra Valley GI
- Rutherglen GI
- Murray-Darling GI
Yarra Valley GI Geography
East adjacent of Melbourne
Yarra Valley GI Climate
Cool, humid, maritime-moderated by the Southern Ocean
Yarra Valley GI Grape Varietals
White:
-Chardonnay
Red:
- Pinot Noir
- Shiraz
Yarra Valley GI Vinification
Still and sparkling wine production
Rutherglen GI Geography
North east of Yarra Valley, adjacent to the Murray River
Rutherglen GI Climate
Continental with very hot summers
Rutherglen GI Grape Varietals
White:
-Muscadelle
Red:
- Shiraz
- Brown Muscat (Muscat Roughe a Petits Grains)
Rutherglen GI Vinification
- Still wine production
- Fortified dessert wines, often referred to locally as “Stickies”
Murray-Darling GI Geography
Northwestern Victoria - this GI is partly in New South Wales
Murray-Darling GI Climate
Very hot
Murray-Darling GI Viticulture
- Riverland planting
- Irrigation is essential
Murray-Darling Vinification
-An important region for bulk wine production
South Australia Geography
Southern Australia, with Adelaide being the most important metropolis
South Australia Climate
- Broad range of climates
- Warm, dry and Mediterranean moderated by cool breezes from the Southern Ocean
- Cooler climates at higher elevations
South Australia Important GIs
- Barossa Valley GI
- Eden Valley GI
- McLaren Vale GI
- Clare Valley GI
- Coonawarra GI
Barossa Valley GI Geography
Near the city of Adelaide
Barossa Valley GI Climate
Mediterranean
Barossa Valley GI Grape Varietals
Red:
- Shiraz
- Grenache
- Cabernet Sauvignon
Barossa Valley GI Viticulture
Extremely old vines due to the prevention of phylloxera from reaching this area
Eden Valley GI Geography
South and slightly east adjacent to Barossa Valley
Eden Valley GI Climate
Cooler, higher elevation
Eden Valley GI Grape Varietals
White:
- Riesling
- Chardonnay
Red:
-Shiraz
Eden Valley GI Viticulture
High altitude helps retain acidity in the grapes
Eden Valley GI Vinification
Riesling vinified dry
McLaren Vale GI Location
South of Adelaide
McLaren Vale GI Cliamte
Warm, yet moderated by cool ocean air
McLaren Vale GI Grape Varietals
Red:
- Shiraz
- Grenache
McLaren Vale GI Viticulture
Vineyards slope down toward the sea to maximize exposure to cool breezes
Clare Valley GI Geography
60 miles north of Adelaide
Clare Valley GI Climate
- Warm continental
- Hot days and cool nights
Clare Valley GI Topography
1,200-1,800 feet elevation
Clare Valley GI Grape Varietals
White:
-Riesling
Red:
- Shiraz
- Cabernet Sauvignon
Clare Valley GI Viticulture
High altitude and cool nights help retain acidity in the grapes
Clare Valley GI Vinification
Dry Riesling production
Coonawarra GI Geography
Southern strip of land near the sea
Coonawarra GI Climate
Cool, Mediterranean climate
Coonawarra GI Soil Type
Best vineyards are on a single, narrow, 9-mile strip with Terra Rossa soil; a vivid red soil over limestone base
Coonawarra GI Grape Varietals
Red:
-Cabernet Sauvignon
Margaret River GI Geography
- Important GI of Western Australia
- Perth being the most important metropolis
Margaret River GI Cliamte
Warm maritime, with the moderating influences of the Indian Ocean
Margaret River GI Grape Varietals
White:
- Chardonnay
- Semillon
- Sauvignon Blanc
Red:
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Shiraz
- Merlot
