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Introductory Turned Certified Sommelier - Matt & Ryan > Australia > Flashcards

Australia Flashcards

1
Q

When and where were the first vineyards planted in Australia?

A
  • Late 18th century

- New South Wales

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2
Q

When and where was commercial viticulture established in Australia?

A
  • 1820-1840

- Across the southern swath of the continent

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3
Q

As in most New World winegrowing countries, who brought experience, varietal, and stylistic preferences to Australia?

A

European immigrants

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4
Q

In Australia, where was the wine industry centered in the 19th century and what happened to it?

A
  • Victoria

- Phylloxera

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5
Q

When and how did Victoria recover from the phylloxera setbacks in the late 19th century?

A

Recovered quickly with a shift toward fortified wines from warmer regions located principally in South Australia.

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6
Q

What characterized the Australian wine industry in the 20th century?

A
  • Immense tracts of irrigation planted along rivers

- Established foundation for Australia’s role as wine-exporting powerhouse

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7
Q

When die temperature-controlled fermenters arrive in Australia and how did they impact the industry?

A
  • 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!
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8
Q

Where is Australia located in the world?

A

South Pacific Ocean

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9
Q

Roughly how large is Australia?

A

Roughly the size of the United States

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10
Q

How many states make up Australia?

A

6

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11
Q

What is unique about Australia’s climate?

A
  • World’s driest inhabited continent with a hot desert interior that is inhospitable to viticulture
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12
Q

Where are most wine regions in Australia?

A

Clustered in southeastern part of continent

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13
Q

Australia - soil?

A

Ancient, eroded, nutrient poor

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14
Q

Australia - white grape varieties?

A
  1. Chardonnay
  2. Sauvignon Blanc
  3. Semillon
  4. Riesling
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15
Q

Australia - red grape varieties?

A
  1. Shiraz
  2. Cabernet Sauvignon
  3. Merlot
  4. Grenache
  5. Pinot Noir
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16
Q

Where is vine-growing concentrated in Australia?

A
  • Cool coastal areas (moderated by south and Indian Oceans)

- Cooler high-elevation areas

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17
Q

What is imperative to viticulture on Australia?

A

Irrigation

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18
Q

What is an important viticultural consideration when it comes to grape ripeness in Australia?

A
  • 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)

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19
Q

What is important about the two style of wineries in Australia?

A

Boutique and industrial-scale wineries coexist

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20
Q

Why has Australia’s wine industry long been a world leader in technological development?

A
  • Strong innovative culture

- Expansion could only be achieved through mechanical innovation due to labor shortages

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21
Q

How has an emphasis on technical precision manifested itself in Australian wines?

A

Very clean, fruit-driven style

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22
Q

What’s the deal with oak aging in Australia?

A
  • Traditionally American oak

- French barriques have become increasingly common

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23
Q

In Australia, what is commonly employed during vinification to counterbalance the country’s warm climate?

A

Acidification

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24
Q

Australia has long been a leader in alternative __________ and __________ including __________ to __________ for still wines and __________ for sparkling wines.

A
  • Packaging
  • Closures
  • Bag-in-box
  • Screw caps
  • Crown caps
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25
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
26
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
27
Are Australian vineyards typically hand harvested or machine harvested? Why?
- Machine - Labor shortage - Vineyards are widely dispersed
28
When is picking often performed in Australia and why?
- Night | - Preserve freshness and acidity
29
What is the Australian appellation system based on?
The Label Integrity Program
30
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
31
What is the Australian equivalent of an AVA?
GI (Geographical Indications)
32
What does GI stand for in Australia?
Geographical Indications
33
List Australia’s GI categories from largest to smallest.
1. Country (100% of grapes must originate in Australia) 2. South-Eastern Australia 3. State of Origin 4. Zones 5. Regions 6. Sub-Regions
34
How many states are covered by the South-Eastern Australia GI?
5
35
Why is Australia’s South-Eastern GI so important?
1. Blending for mass-market wines | 2. Meeting EU appellation requirements
36
What states are covered by Australia’s South-Eastern GI? (5)
1. Queensland 2. South Australia 3. New South Wales 4. Victoria 5. Tasmania
37
Where is New South Wales roughly located?
Eastern Australia near Sydney
38
Climate in New South Wales?
- Cooler, wetter neat coast | - Dry, arid inland
39
Important topographic element in New South Wales?
- Great Dividing Range | - Runs north to south separating wet coastal regions from dry interior
40
What wine is considered one of the great, unique wines of Australia?
Hunter Valley Semillon
41
What are the important GI’s of New South Wales? (2)
1. Hunter Valley GI | 2. Riverina GI
42
Where is Hunter Valley located?
North of Sydney
43
Climate in Hunter Valley?
- Hot, humid - Among warmest climates in Australia - Moderated by WIND and COOLING EFFECT of the SEA
44
What moderates the climate in Hunter Valley?
- Moderated by WIND and COOLING EFFECT of the SEA
45
Describe topography of Hunter Valley?
Gentle, flat river valley.
46
Grape varieties in Hunter Valley?
- White (60% of production) | - Semillon
47
Riverina GI location?
- Far inland - Western side of Great Dividing Range - Largest wine region in Australia
48
Soil in Riverina GI?
- Fertile river lands
49
Climate in Riverina GI?
- Hot | - Very humid in some areas
50
Grape varieties in Riverina GI?
``` White - Semillon - Chardonnay Red - Shiraz - Merlot ```
51
What is important about the viticulture in Riverina GI?
- Represents 50% of Australian wine productions | - Irrigation from nearby rivers is required to succeed
52
What characterizes the vinification in Riverina GI?
- Known for bulk table wine - Also produces fortified wines - Also produced botrytis-affected dessert wines
53
Where is Victoria roughly located?
- Southeastern Australia | - Melbourne most importan metropolis
54
Climate in Victoria?
- Broad range - Cool, coastal maritime to... - Continental which can be very hot when remote from the Southern Ocean
55
What are the important GI’s of Victoria? (3)
- Murray Darling GI - Rutherglen GI - Yarra Valley GI
56
What types of wines are produced in Victoria?
- Sparkling - Still - Fortified - Dessert
57
Climate in Yarra Valley GI?
- Cool, humid, maritime | - Moderated by Southern Ocean
58
What moderates the climate in Yarra Valley GI?
- Southern Ocean
59
Grape varieties in Yarra Valley GI?
``` White - Chardonnay Red - Pinot Noir - Shiraz ```
60
Wine styles in Yarra Valley GI?
- Still | - Sparkling
61
Climate in Rutherglen GI?
- Continental w/ very hot summers
62
Grape varieties in Rutherglen?
``` White - Muscadelle Red - Shiraz - Brown Muscat (Muscat Rouge à Petits Grains) ```
63
Rutherglen ___________ is considered one of the world's great sweet wines.
Muscat
64
Wine styles in Rutherglen GI?
- Still | - Fortified dessert wines (often locally referred to as "Stickies")
65
How do locals refer to fortified dessert wines in Rutherglen GI?
"Stickies"
66
Where is Murray Darling GI roughly located?
- Northwestern Victoria | - This GI is partly in New South Wales
67
Climate in Murray Darling GI?
- Very hot
68
What characterizes the viticulture in Murray Darling GI?
- Riverland planting | - Irrigation is essential
69
What characterizes the vinification in Murray Darling GI?
- Important region for bulk wine production
70
Where is South Australia roughly located and what is its most important metropolis?
- East of New South Wales and Victoria | - Adelaide
71
What are important GI's in South Australia? (5)
1. Barossa Valley GI 2. Eden Valley GI 3. Coonawarra GI 4. McLaren Vale GI 5. Clare Valley GI
72
What characterizes the climate in South Australia?
- Broad range of climates - Warm, dry Mediterranean moderated by cool breezes fro the Southern Ocean - Cooler climates at higher elevations
73
What is the main climate moderator in South Australia?
Southern Ocean
74
What is important about the Barossa Valley GI?
Largest, most important premium wine area in South Australia
75
What city is near Barossa Valley GI?
Adelaide
76
Climate in Barossa Valley GI?
Mediterranean
77
Grape Varieties in Barossa Valley GI?
RED - Shiraz - Grenache - Cabernet Sauvignon
78
What characterizes the viticulture in Barossa Valley GI?
Extremely old vines due to the prevention of phylloxera from reaching this area
79
Where is Eden Valley GI located?
Adjacent to Barossa Valley GI on the east side
80
Climate in Eden Valley GI?
Cooler, higher elevation
81
Grape varieties in Eden Valley?
``` WHITE - Riesling - Chardonnay RED - Shiraz ```
82
What characterizes the viticulture in Eden Valley GI?
High altitude helps retain acidity in the grapes
83
What characterizes the vinification in Eden Valley GI?
Riesling vinified dry
84
Where is McLaren Vale GI located?
South of Adelaide
85
Climate in McLaren Vale GI?
Warm, yet moderated by cool ocean air
86
Grape varieties in McLaren Vale GI?
RED - Shiraz - Grenache
87
What characterizes the viticulture in McLaren Val GI?
Vineyards slope down toward the sea to maximize exposure to cool breezes
88
Where is Clare Valley GI located?
60 miles north of Adelaide
89
Climate in Clare Valley GI?
- Warm continental | - Hot days, cool nights
90
What characterizes the topography/aspect in Clare Valley GI?
1,300-1,800 feet elevation
91
Grape varieties in Clare Valley GI?
``` WHITE - Riesling RED - Shiraz - Cabernet Sauvignon ```
92
Clare Valley is mostly planted to red grapes yet it also produces an iconic new world interpretation of a particular grape. What is it?
Clare Riesling
93
What characterizes the viticulture in Clare Valley GI?
- High altitude - Cool nights - Helps retain acidity in the grapes
94
What characterizes the vinification in Clare Valley GI?
Dry riesling production
95
Where is Coonawarra GI roughly located?
Small strip of land near the sea
96
Climate in Coonawarra GI?
Cool, Mediterranean climate
97
Soil in Coonawarra GI?
Terra Rossa - a vivid red soil over limestone base
98
What characterizes the best vineyards in Coonawarra GI?
They are located atop a single, narrow 9-mile strip of Terra Rossa soil
99
Grape varieties in Coonawarra GI?
RED | - Cabernet Sauvignon
100
Where is the Western Australia wine region located?
Southwest tip of Australia
101
What are the important GI's in Western Australia?
Margaret River GI
102
What is the most important metropolis near in Western Australi?
Perth
103
What is the most important metropolis near Margaret River GI?
Perth
104
Climate in Margaret River GI?
- Warm maritime | - Moderating influence of Indian Ocean
105
Climate moderator in Margaret River GI?
Indian Ocean
106
Grap varieties in Margaret River GI?
``` WHITE - Chardonnay - Semillon - Sauvignon Blanc RED - Cabernet Sauvignon - Shiraz - Merlot ```

Introductory Turned Certified Sommelier - Matt & Ryan (28 decks)

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