Australia Flashcards
Northern Tasmania’s climate is similar to that of which 2 regions?
Champagne / Rheingau
Which global wine company owns Penfolds?
What 2 other large brands do they own?
Treasury Wine Estates.
Lindeman’s in Australia, Beringer in California.
Name 3 top producers from Coonawarra:
Penley Estate
Belnaves
Parker
Which style of wine was the major focus of the Australian wine industry in the 1950s?
Fortified Wines
What 5 grapes are predominant in Margaret River?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Semillon
Which state is the Blackwood Valley GI located in?
Who is a key producer?
What grapes are mainly cultivated (2 red / 3 white)?
Western Australia.
Blackwood Crest.
Shiraz / Cabernet Sauvignon
Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc / Chardonnay
What 3 zones does the Adelaide Superzone include?
Barossa / Fleurieu / Mt. Lofty Ranges
Where is Goulburn Valley, what’s the climate like, what is it most renowned for producing and what does it taste like?
East of Heathcote
Warm, mitigated slightly by lakes and creeks
Shiraz is the most planted, but Marsanne is the speciality; citrus fruit in youth developing honey aromas with age
List the 4 classifications of Rutherglen Muscat from lightest to fullest, and their general stylistic differences:
Rutherglen Muscat: the foundation of the style; fresh raisin aromas, rich fruit, clean. Average age 3 - 5 years. Residual sweetness 180 - 240 grams per litre.
Classic: greater level of richness and complexity, blending of selected parcels of wine, often matured in various sizes of oak cask to impart the distinctive dry ‘rancio’ characteristics. Average age 6 - 10 years. Residual sweetness 200 - 280 grams per litre.
Grand Rutherglen: new level of intensity, depth and concentration of flavour, mature rancio characteristics. Average age 11 - 19 years. Residual sweetness 270 - 400 grams per litre.
Rare Rutherglen: the pinnacle Rutherglen muscats - fully developed, the very richest and most complete wines in the cellar, only bottled in tiny quantities each year. Minimum age 20+ years. Residual sweetness 270 - 400 grams per litre.
Match the Australian GI with its most famous style of wine:
Eden Valley Dry Riesling
Yarra Valley Dry Semillon
Barossa Valley Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc Blend
Hunter Valley Bold Shiraz
Margaret River Chardonnay
Coonawarra Muscat-based sweet wine
Rutherglen Cabernet Sauvignon
Clare Valley Pinot noir
McLaren Vale
Eden Valley: Dry Riesling
Yarra Valley: Pinot Noir
Barossa Valley: Bold Shiraz
Hunter Valley: Dry Semillon
Margaret River: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc blends.
Coonawarra: Cabernet Sauvignon
Rutherglen: Muscat-based sweet wine.
Clare Valley: Dry Riesling
McLaren Vale: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon
On which city is the Western Australia wine region centered?
What are the most and second-most prominent wine regions in Western Australia?
1 Margaret River
Perth
In which Australian GI is the producer Torbreck located?
They focus entirely on ____ varieties.
Their top 3 wines are:
Barossa Valley GI
Rhone Varieties
RunRig Shiraz
The Laird Shiraz
Descendent Shiraz
What grape variety is used to produce Australian Topaque?
What type of wine is this?
What was this wine formerly known as?
- Muscadelle
- Sweet, fortified wine.
- “Tokay”
Besides Riverina, what is the main wine producing region in New South Wales?
Hunter Valley
What is the style of quality Australian Chardonnay and what is the climate like in the best regions?
Fresh, vibrant fruit, subtle lees, MLF and/or oak
Cool, moderate (Adelaide Hills, Mornington Peninsula, Yarra) or just warm regions (Margaret River)
In which GI would you find the sub-region of Nagambie Lakes?
Name a top producer from there:
Goulburn Valley GI
Tahbilk
In which GI is the wine pictured produced?
What is the name of this wine and what variety is used?
McLaren Vale
Astralis Syrah
Name the 3 major regions (and their states) for high-volume production in the South Eastern Australia ‘Super Zone’
Riverland / S.Australia
Murray-Darling / Victoria and NSW
Riverina / NSW
Where, specifically, is the Yalumba winery based?
3 notable facts about this winery:
What is their top bottling?
Eden Valley, South Australia.
- The oldest family-run winery in Australia.
- Has its own on-site nursery that supplies vines and rootstocks to much of Australia.
- Has its own cooperage that uses imported American, French and Hungarian staves to construct its own barrels.
- Top Bottling: The Octavius, Old Vine Shiraz from Barossa Valley.
What is the most important GI for fine wines in the Limestone Coast?
Coonawarra GI
Which GI in northeastern Victoria, besides Rutherglen, specializes in fortified dessert wines?
Glenrowan GI
What is it that allows vineyards in the state of Victoria produce high quality wines?
Some of the coolest vineyards in Australia, cooled by ocean breezes.
The Great Dividing Range provides aspects and altitude
Name a top producer / wine of Hunter Valley Semillon.
What is the aging potential of this wine?
How does the wine start off in its youth, and what is its profile as it ages?
Tyrell’s “Vat 1”
Can age for over 2 decades.
Austere and grassy in its youth; Richness, honey, and buttered toast tones over time.
What is the style of Australian Vintage Fortified wines?
What is their aging potential?
What 4 regions are ideal for its production?
What varietals are typically used?
Vintage Fortifieds are made from grapes grown in one single designated year (vintage). Bottled after only a short time in barrel, about two years, they’re made to be aged in the bottle for a minimum of 5 years, but ideally 20, to ensure all the aged characters fully develop.
Like Tawnys, Fortifieds are most commonly made in warmer regions like Rutherglen, McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley and the Riverland.
The most common grape variety used to make Vintage is Shiraz, with Touriga, Tempranillo and Mataro also featuring.
What are the No.1 black and white grapes in Australia?
Shiraz and Chardonnay
For the following Australian GIs, identify the closest major market:
A. Yarra Valley
B. Hunter Valley
C. Margaret River
D. Barossa Valley
E. Tasmania
A. Melbourne
B. Sydney
C. Perth
D. Adelaide
E. Hobart
Where is Coonawarra, what’s the climate like, what grape is it most renowned for and what does it taste like?
Narrow strip 400km SE of Adelaide
Moderate Maritime cooled by current from the Antarctic and cloud cover.
Cabernet Sauvignon - Concentrated, structured, Cassis, Eucalyptus or menthol
How many wines were classified as “Exceptional” in the Langton’s Classification of Australian Wine VI?
Name 4 of them, including their region:
21
Penfolds “Bin 95 Grange” Shiraz, S. Australia
Grosset Polish Hill Riesling, Clare Valley
Clarendon Hills “Astralis” Syrah, McLaren Vale
Jim Barry “The Armagh” Shiraz, Clare Valley
What is the style of the better Australian Sauvignon Blancs and what are the best sites?
Concentrated Passion Fruit with hi acidity
Moderate temp regions (Adelaide Hills)
What are the climate risks in Hunter Valley?
What are some natural / human factors that help mitigate these?
RISK: Rainy weather often at harvest
RISK: Hot climate can cause grapes to over-ripen
RISK: Rot from humid conditions
- Good canopy management essential
- Prevailing northeast winds from the Pacific help to cool the vineyards.
- Cloud cover helps to shield vines from the sun.
- Early harvesting can help alleviate high sugar levels.
Where is Eden Valley, what’s the climate like and what white wine is it renowned for making and what does it taste like?
In the hills East of Barossa valley
Cool~moderate varying with altitude
Outstanding Riesling - Lime, grapefruit and steely
After 10 years in bottle can develop marmalade and toast
Where is Geelong, how does its climate compare to Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula, what is it most renowned for producing and what does it taste like?
West of Melbourne
Cool~Moderate Maritime, but warmer than Yarra Valley / Mornington Peninsula
Very high quality Chardonnay; complex, concentrated with a full body
Also good earthy Pinot Noir, and fresh and peppery Shiraz
In which zone of South Australia would you find the Mount Benson GI?
Limestone Coast GI
List 4 unofficial sub-regions of Barossa Valley:
Seppeltsfield
Rowland Flat District
Barossa Foothills
Western Ridge
Name 4 Premium wines from the McLaren Vale GI
D’Arenberg “Dead Arm” Shiraz
Yangarra “High Sands” Grenache
Drew Noon “Eclipse” Grenache-based blend
Clarendon Hills “Astralis” Shiraz
In which GI would you find the Para River?
Barossa Valley
What famous Northern Rhône producer established a winery in Mount Benson?
Name one of their top Shiraz wines:
Michel Chapoutier
“Ergo Sum”
Who produces and edits the annual Australian Wine Companion?
James Halliday
What are the 4 main fortified wines produced in Australia?
- Tawny
- Vintage Fortified
- Muscat
- Topaque
Wines labelled “Barossa” may source their fruit from which regions?
Barossa Valley and Eden Valley
What are the 3 main rivers that are used for irrigation in South Eastern Australia?
Murray
Darling
Murrumbidgee
What’s that soil in Coonawarra called and what is it made up?
Where else in the world is this soil found?
“Terra Rossa”
Red clayey topsoil over a limestone subsoil
La Mancha, Spain
Where is McLaren Vale, what’s the climate like, what grapes does it mostly grow, vinified in what style?
Coast S of Adelaide
Warm climate tempered by afternoon breezes
Mainly black grapes; Shiraz, Cab Sav, Merlot and Grenache being intensely flavoured with dark fruit aromas and soft, ripe, tannins.
Old vine Shiraz and Grenache too
Where is Barossa Valley, what’s the climate like, what is it most famous for producing, and what does it taste like?
North of Adelaide
Warm, dry climate
Old Bush vine Shiraz, Cab Sauv, and Grenache - Full body, soft tannin, ripe Black fruit with sweet American oak
In which Australian GI is the producer Cullen located?
What is their top bottling?
What grapes are used, and which unofficial sub-region does it come from?
Margaret River GI, Western Australia
“Diana Madeline”
80% Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec
Wilyabrup
In which GI is the producer Campbells located?
What wines do they specialize in?
Rutherglen GI
Rutherglen Topaque / Rutherglen Muscat
What is the style of Australian Liqueur Muscat?
What varietal is used?
What is the most famous region for this wine?
What are some tasting notes for this wine?
Much like Tawny, it is aged in barrel for extended periods, which concentrates the power and richness of the wine. They are also released in bottle ready to drink and can be cellared, but will not improve at all.
Often referred to as Brown Muscat, it is made from the Muscat a Petits Grains Rouge, which means, “Muscat with little red berries” grape.
Muscats are produced in the warmer regions across Australia, but the most famous region is Rutherglen.
Sweet and luscious, Muscat is one of the richest and most powerful wines in the world with classic aromas and flavours of dried fruits, espresso coffee, tobacco leaf and chocolate.
In which South Australian GI are the producers Jim Barry and Wendouree located?
Clare Valley GI
Where is Yarra Valley, what’s the climate like, what is it most renowned for producing and what does it taste like?
NE of Melbourne
Cool~moderate maritime. Varied by altitude and aspects
Pinot Noir - Rich fruit; strawberries, plums and dark cherries. Careful use of oak adds complexity
Name 5 wine regions in Victoria centered around the city of Melbourne:
Yarra valley
Mornington Peninsula
Geelong
Sunbury
Gippsland
Where is Clare Valley, what’s the climate like and what white wine is it renowned for making and what does it taste like?
NW of barossa Valley
Warm with cool afternoon breezes and cold nights, altitude 300~400m but can reach 570m
Riesling - Dry, intense citrus and lime with hi acidity
with bottle age, honey and toast
Where is the Tahbilk winery located (sub-region within sub-region / region)?
What is its flagship wine, and what is significant about the vineyards it comes from?
Nagambie Lakes within Goulburn Valley, VIctoria.
“1860 Vines” Shiraz - harvested from pre-phylloxera vines planted in 1860.
Name the oldest Australian winery and the year it was established:
George Wyndham Estate / 1828
Where does Australia currently rank in terms of total production worldwide?
7th
Where is Domaine Chandon located in Australia?
Yarra Valley
In which GI is the producer Henschke located?
What trend are they famous for?
What is their premier bottling?
Eden Valley
Phasing out fortified wines in favor of dry, table wines.
“Hill of Grace” Shiraz, made from vines dating back to 1860.
In which GI is the producer Jim Barry located?
What is their premier bottling?
What is significant about this producer?
Clare Valley GI, Southern Australia
“The Armagh” Shiraz.
Considered a benchmark for the Clare Valley region, wines produced by Jim Barry are often held back from release until deemed fit for consumption.
What is Tasmania’s top 3 planted grape varieties?
- Pinot Noir
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
Where is Heathcote, what’s the climate like, what is it most renowned for producing and what does it taste like?
Centre of Victoria
Moderate with cooling at altitude
Shiraz - Firm structure, fresher and fruitier than warmer regions
How did wine writer Hugh Johnson describe Penfolds “Grange”?
“The only First Growth of the Southern Hemisphere”
In which Australian GI is the producer d’Arenberg located?
What is their winemaking philosophy?
What is their flagship bottling, and what is its name based on?
McLaren Vale GI
Minimal input viticulture (philosophy based on no irrigation, fertilization, spraying, and soil cultivation)
“Dead Arm” Shiraz - a reference to the fungus Eutypa lata, which kills one branch of the vine.
When was the first vintage of Penfolds Grange?
Who was the winemaker?
What was unique about this wine compared to other luxury bottlings?
1951
- Max Schubert
- This Shiraz is a blend of different vineyard sites, as opposed to other premier bottlings that source fruit from one “cru”.
Mataro is an Australian synonym for which grape?
Mouvédre
Which state / larger GI is the Robe GI located in?
What grapes are mainly cultivated (3 red / 2 white)?
South Australia, located within the Limestone Coast GI.
Red Grapes: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
White Grapes: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Identify the grape used and region for the wine pictured below:
Riesling
Clare Valley
What is Australian Semillon like
Youthful
With age
When is it picked?
How is it fermented?
Which region has made it its own grape?
Youthful - Light body, neutral taste
With age- Develops honey and toast, can age 20 years
Harvested early with low sugar levels and high acidity
Fermented protectively, SO2 and Stainless steel all the way
Hunter Valley
What is the style of Australian Topaque?
What grape is used?
What GI is its home?
What are some tasting notes for this wine?
Topaque is made from the white Muscadelle grape and it calls Victoria’s Rutherglen region home.
Like Tawny and Muscat, it is aged in barrel for extended periods, which concentrates the power and richness of the wine. They are also released in bottle ready to drink and can be cellared, but will not improve at all.
In terms of flavour profile, Topaque is often considered to be a lighter, finer wine than Rutherglen Muscat with flavours of candied fruits, honey, toffee and a distinctive cold tea character.
Name 2 Australian regions have a reputation for premium sparkling wines made form Pinot Noir and Chardonnay?
Tasmania
Yarra Valley
Where is Tasmania, what’s the climate like, what is it most renowned for producing and what does it taste like?
An island south of Victoria.
Australia’s coolest grap-growing area. Maritime climate with cooling westerlies from Southern Ocean
Pinot Noir, Cab Sav
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris
List 4 producers of Rutherglen Fortified Dessert Wines:
Stanton & Killeen
Chambers Rosewod
Buller
Campbells
Where does the best Australian Pinot Noir come from and what is its style?
From cool ~ moderate sites (Yarra, Mornington Peninsula, and Tasmania)
Medium body, med alc, med~hi acidity, Cherry and Strawberry
Which state is the Cowra GI located in?
Who is a key producer?
What grapes are mainly cultivated (3 red / 4 white)?
New South Wales
Cowra Estate
Red Grapes: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
White Grapes: Chardonnay, Semillon, Verdelho, Sauvignon Blanc
The oldest continuously producing Grenache and Shiraz vines in the world are found in ___.
South Australia
Generally, Australia’s main growing regions have warm or hot climates.
What are 3 sources of cooling and examples of regions:
Southern or Indian oceans (Tasmania, Coonawarra)
Murray River System (Goulburn, Murray-Darling)
Altitude (Clare Valley, Adelaide Hills)
In which GI(s) is the producer Buller Wines located?
Rutherglen GI, Kings Valley GI, NE Victoria
Approximately how many wineries are currently producing wine in Australia?
Approximately 2,500 wineries are currently operating
What alternative names are used for Hunter Valley Semillon?
“Hunter Riesling”
“Hunter Chablis”
“White Burgundy”
In which Australian region is the Wolf Blass winery located?
What is their logo?
Barossa Valley, South Australia
A Golden Eagle
Which region is larger in both size and production: Barossa Valley or Napa Valley?
Napa Valley
Which 2 regions in Australia are best known for their dry Riesling production?
Clare Valley
Eden Valley
Lenswood and Piccadilly Valley are sub-regions located within what GI?
Adelaide Hills GI /
Grapes destined for high-volume brands like Yellow Tail and Jacob’s Creek are most likely to originate in which Australian GI?
Riverland, Victoria
Where is Hunter Valley?
What’s the climate like and how is it mitigated?
What is it most renowned for producing and what does it taste like?
What is the most popular grape planted now?
North of Sydney in NSW
Sub-tropical, the warmest of Australia’s traditional wine regions. cloud cover and ocean breezes mitigate
Semillon - Light body, low alc, high acidity, neutral flavour
With age - Toast, nuts and honey
Chardonnay is most popular; White wine accounts for 60% of wines produced.
Simply summarise the Australian GI hierarchy system
Zones - Can be huge, can be states or several states e.g. South Australia, South-Eastern Australia Zone
Regions - e.g. Coonawara, Clare Valley, Margaret River They must have consistent and distinct qualities from neighbouring regions.
Sub-regions - Notable areas with distinct and unique qualities
Identify the correct designation for the following GIs:
- Hunter Valley
- Hunter
- Upper Hunter Valley
- Zone
- Region
- Sub-Region
Which 2 Australian states have been affected by phylloxera?
New South Wales.
Victoria.
Which regions make up the Barossa Zone?
Barossa Valley + Eden Valley
Rutherglen Muscat labeled “Rare” must be at least ___ years old in age.
20
The Art Series is produced by whom?
Where are they based?
What does the Art Series represent?
Leeuwin Estate
Margaret River, Western Australia.
The Art Series represents Leeuwin Estate’s most opulent and ageworthy wines from each vintage, and the labels feature artwork commisioned from contemporary and Aboriginal Australian artists.
Australian wines labeled with a grape varietal must contain what percentage of that grape?
85%
Name the grape which accounts for 45% of all vines planted in Australia?
Shiraz
In which GI is the producer Wendouree Cellars located?
What are the 3 main wines produced?
What is significant about the wines produced?
Clare Valley GI, Southern Australia
Shiraz / Shiraz-Malbec / Cabernet-Malbec
Extremely hard to obtain, cult status, virtually only available to those on the long-time waiting list.
Who was the founder of the Australian Wine Bureau and author of the first Encyclopedia of Australian Wine?
Len Evans
Which Australian state produces the most wine?
South Australia
Where are the Adelaide Hills, what’s the climate like and what is it renowned for growing?
25km E of Adelaide
Moderate, all vineyards above 400m. Only rains in the Winter so irrigation often needed.
Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
James Busby is regarded as the:
He was responsible for doing what?
James Busby
Brought the first grapewines from Spain and France to Australia in the 1820’s.
What are the traditional and modern styles of Australian Shiraz, name regions of each:
Warm/Hot - opaque, dense, heavily extracted, dark fruit and chocolate notes. (Barossa/Hunter)
Cool - Leaner more peppery style (Geelong/Heathcote)
In which Australian wine region is the Tamar valley, and what are they famed for producing?
Tasmania
Mainly Pinot Noir / Chardonnay, but cool climate Cabernet Sauvignon can also be successful.
What is the second most planted red grape in Australia?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Which champagne House makes Green Point in the Yarra Valley?
Domaine Chandon (Moet et Chandon)
Clare Valley is renowned for Riesling but which 2 black grapes does it do well with and what do they taste like?
Shiraz - Fragrant, powerful with structure
Excellent Cab Sav - Diff styles depending on vineyard location
Which states are at least partially included in the Southeast Australia Multistate Zone?
- South Australia
- Victoria
- Tasmania
- New South Wales
- Queensland
What is the style of Australian Tawny?
When is it meant to be consumed?
What 4 regions are ideal for its production?
What varieties are most commonly used?
Aged in the barrel for many years at the time of its release, so it is intended to be consumed immediately.
It’s made in Australia’s warmer regions such as Rutherglen, McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley and the Riverland.
The varieties used to make Tawny differ from winery to winery, but Shiraz and Grenache along with Mataro and Touriga all feature.
Where is Mornington Peninsula, what’s the climate like, what two grapes is it most renowned for producing and what do they taste like?
South of Melbourne
Cool~Moderate Maritime. Vintages can vary due to cool, wet and windy weather around flowering and harvest
Pinot Noir - light, delicate and structured displaying pure fruit characteristics
Chardonnay - Citrus, pear, apple with hi acid usually softened with MLF
Also Pinot Gris
In the early-mid 20th Century, Hunter Valley Sémillon was also called 3 other names:
- Riesling
- Chablis
- White Burgundy
Give an example of 1 cool climate region and 1 warm region in Australia where Chardonnay is grown.
What is the impact that climate has on the fruit characteristics of these wines?
Cool Climate:
Mornington peninsula. Chardonnays here reflect the cool growing conditions by having citrus, pear and apple aromas and high acidities, usually softened with MLF.
Warm Climate:
Margaret River in Western Australia, wines display concentrated stone fruit aromas and retain high acidity; sometimes produced using barrel-aging and MLF to add complexity.
Is chaptalization legal in Australia?
No
Where is Margaret River, what’s the climate like and what is it most renowned for producing?
200km South of Perth
Warm Maritime with fairly high rainfall
Cab Sav, mainly blended with Merlot in a Bordeaux style
Chardonnay / Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon
What body of water is directly west of McLaren Vale GI?
Gulf of St. Vincent
Identify 2 red wines and 1 white wine produced in the Great Southern region:
Frankland Estate “Isolation Ridge Vineyard” Riesling, Frankland River.
Marchand & Burch “Gibraltar Rock” Pinot Noir, Porongurup.
La Violetta “La Ciorina” Shiraz, Denmark
Which country has the fastest growing consumption levels of Australian wine?
China
Where does the Brown Brothers winery make wine?
What grape are they responsible for engineering, and what is it similar to?
Victoria (Heathcote) and Tasmania.
Tarrango, a cross of Touriga Nacional and Sultana. Produces a wine very similar to Beaujolais; light-bodied, fruity and low in tannin.
What is the most important classification of Australia’s wines?
Langton’s Classification of Australian Wine
Which country imports the most Australian wine?
USA
What is the predominant style of Australian Riesling and in which two regions is it most famous?
Citrus - Lime, lemon and grapefruit with high acidity.
It rapidly develops notes of toast, honey and petrol.
Usually dry or slightly off-dry
Eden and Clare valleys
What is the common style of Australian Cabernet Sauvignon?
Darker, firmer tannins with higher acidity than Shiraz.
Defined by elegance, soft tannins, red fruit, and a telltale note of eucalyptus
South Australia wine regions are based around which city and name the 6 premier regions
Centered around Adelaide
Barossa Valley
Eden Valley
Clare Valley
Adelaide Hills
McClaren Vale
Coonawara
Which Australian region specializes in Botrytized Semillon?
Riverina in New South Wales
In the state of Victoria what is generally grown
On the higher slopes?
On the lower slopes?
Higher - Elegant Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc
Lower - Shiraz and Cab Sav in fresher, lighter styles
The King and Alpine Valleys are located in which zone of which Australian state?
Northeast Victoria
What is the body of water that features Geelong to its west and Mornington Peninsula to its east?
Port Phillip Bay
What are the 5 sub-regions of Great Southern GI?
- Mount Barker
- Frankland River
- Denmark
- Albany
- Porongurup
What type of oak barrel was most commonly used in Australia until recent times?
300l American Hogshead
