Australia Flashcards
When and where were the first vineyards planted in Australia?
- Late 18th century
- New South Wales
When and where was commercial viticulture established in Australia?
- 1820-1840
- Across the southern swath of the continent
As in most New World winegrowing countries, who brought experience, varietal, and stylistic preferences to Australia?
European immigrants
In Australia, where was the wine industry centered in the 19th century and what happened to it?
- Victoria
- Phylloxera
When and how did Victoria recover from the phylloxera setbacks in the late 19th century?
Recovered quickly with a shift toward fortified wines from warmer regions located principally in South Australia.
What characterized the Australian wine industry in the 20th century?
- Immense tracts of irrigation planted along rivers
- Established foundation for Australia’s role as wine-exporting powerhouse
When die temperature-controlled fermenters arrive in Australia and how did they impact the industry?
- Mid 1950’s
- Fine wine gained prominence
- Shift to planting in cooler areas with premium vine varieties
- Boutique wineries arose and still co-exist with industrial scale producers - this is an important aspect of Australia’s industry!
Where is Australia located in the world?
South Pacific Ocean
Roughly how large is Australia?
Roughly the size of the United States
How many states make up Australia?
6
What is unique about Australia’s climate?
- World’s driest inhabited continent with a hot desert interior that is inhospitable to viticulture
Where are most wine regions in Australia?
Clustered in southeastern part of continent
Australia - soil?
Ancient, eroded, nutrient poor
Australia - white grape varieties?
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Semillon
- Riesling
Australia - red grape varieties?
- Shiraz
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Grenache
- Pinot Noir
Where is vine-growing concentrated in Australia?
- Cool coastal areas (moderated by south and Indian Oceans)
- Cooler high-elevation areas
What is imperative to viticulture on Australia?
Irrigation
What is an important viticultural consideration when it comes to grape ripeness in Australia?
- Warm, dry climate produces very ripe grapes
- Acidity is difficult to achieve yet still vital to the balance of wine (so in often acidification during vinification)
What is important about the two style of wineries in Australia?
Boutique and industrial-scale wineries coexist
Why has Australia’s wine industry long been a world leader in technological development?
- Strong innovative culture
- Expansion could only be achieved through mechanical innovation due to labor shortages
How has an emphasis on technical precision manifested itself in Australian wines?
Very clean, fruit-driven style
What’s the deal with oak aging in Australia?
- Traditionally American oak
- French barriques have become increasingly common
In Australia, what is commonly employed during vinification to counterbalance the country’s warm climate?
Acidification
Australia has long been a leader in alternative __________ and __________ including __________ to __________ for still wines and __________ for sparkling wines.
- Packaging
- Closures
- Bag-in-box
- Screw caps
- Crown caps
What is unique about the distance between vineyards and wineries in Australia and how does it affect vinification there?
- Often widely separated
- Grapes are TRUCKED hundreds of miles and BLENDED from multiple growing sites to produce attain consistent flavors year to year
Does the distance between vineyard and winery impact high-end vineyards, low-end vineyards, or both? Give an example.
- Both!
- Even Penfolds iconic “Grange” is made from blending grapes from multiple regions to achieve consistency
Are Australian vineyards typically hand harvested or machine harvested? Why?
- Machine
- Labor shortage
- Vineyards are widely dispersed
When is picking often performed in Australia and why?
- Night
- Preserve freshness and acidity
What is the Australian appellation system based on?
The Label Integrity Program
What is required by the Label Integrity Program?
- 85% minimum across the board
- 85% stated grape variety on label
- 85% stated vintage on label
- 85% stated region on label
What is the Australian equivalent of an AVA?
GI (Geographical Indications)
What does GI stand for in Australia?
Geographical Indications
List Australia’s GI categories from largest to smallest.
- Country (100% of grapes must originate in Australia)
- South-Eastern Australia
- State of Origin
- Zones
- Regions
- Sub-Regions
How many states are covered by the South-Eastern Australia GI?
5
Why is Australia’s South-Eastern GI so important?
- Blending for mass-market wines
2. Meeting EU appellation requirements
What states are covered by Australia’s South-Eastern GI? (5)
- Queensland
- South Australia
- New South Wales
- Victoria
- Tasmania
Where is New South Wales roughly located?
Eastern Australia near Sydney
Climate in New South Wales?
- Cooler, wetter neat coast
- Dry, arid inland
Important topographic element in New South Wales?
- Great Dividing Range
- Runs north to south separating wet coastal regions from dry interior
What wine is considered one of the great, unique wines of Australia?
Hunter Valley Semillon
What are the important GI’s of New South Wales? (2)
- Hunter Valley GI
2. Riverina GI
Where is Hunter Valley located?
North of Sydney