Australia Flashcards
History
Vines arrived in 1788. Early 1830’s European cuttings brought by immigrants including Scotsman James Busby.
Many areas including South Australia are phylloxera free for some of the world’s oldest vines and several still on own rootstocks (Shiraz, Cab Sauv, Grenache).
1850’s and phylloxera in Europe were a golden age of export. 1950’s co’s that dominate today were born: Orlando (now Jacob’s Creek), Lindeman’s, Hardy’s, Penfolds. They began modernizing the industry; using stainless steel and temp control. 1970’s saw dawn of boutique winery and planting in cooler regions.
1980’s shift to export. Wine Australia developed modern marketing and advertising; labeling by grape variety and making it more accessible. Ripe fruit, vanilla, coconut. By 2000’s, became world’s fifth largest exporter.
Same time plantings rose from 59,000ha in 1990 to peak of 170,000 in 2007. But now back to 145,000. Due to huge over supply, other countries copied this model for competition. Made worse by strengthening AUS dollar which made them more expensive than say Argentina and Chile. Large producers forced grape prices down, while a series of droughts pushed up water prices, essential in many regions. Many growers were forced out of business. Some remaining shifted to quality.
Climate & Geography
Most vineyards between 30 and 37S (No Afirca and So Europe) with intense sunlight from such low latitude. Tasmania 41 and 42S (Central Italy).
Wide range of climates. Hot continental inland (Murray Darling Basin). Most others rely on cooling influences such as the coasts.
Relatively flat and little to stop the cooling influence of oceans. The Great Dividing Range runs from Queensland to western Victoria. Producers are seeking out these cooler sites such as Orange, Macedon and Grampians for lighter styles.
In cooler areas spring frosts can be an issue so sites that drain cool air are critical. Winds blowing from the ocean can also help but may disrupt flowering and fruit set.
Great Dividing Range also makes a barrier that protects much of south-eastern AUS from tropical weather from the Pacific to the northeast. The areas in the rainshadow get very low rainfall. Riverland gets 135mm in growing season, Hunter Valley to the east gets 500mm.
Low rainfall means drought is a constant concern. In the worst years, even the basins of the Murray River can be low.
Vineyard Management
Lack of water is a main threat. Majority rely on irrigation to ensure even ripening and protect quality (even in wetter areas due to free draining soils). Historically came from Murray-Darling basin, but those run low in recent droughts.
Some have underground sources (McLaren Vale, Coonawarra) others store rain from winter (Adelaide Hills, Margaret River). McLaren Vale pioneering use of waste water from Adelaide. Drip is used as most efficient.
With water and heat, vigor can be a problem. Old vines are naturally low, divided canopies for new (Scott Henry and Smart Dyson).
Heavily mechanized with wide spacing and on flat or gently sloping land. Some still hand harvest ti limit splitting, greater selection, maintain whole bunches.
Soil salinity an issue as there’s not enough rain to carry away salt deposits from irrigation or saline water from aquifiers comes to surface. This make it hard for vine to get water and can lead to death. Chard particularly sensitive. Suitable rootstocks or larger vol’s of water (to wash away) can help.
Bush fires can be a threat either literally or smoke taint.
Much is phylloxera free incl South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania). New are planted on rootstocks to combat salinity or prevent phylloxera (as it is in Victoria and New South Wales).
Most are low humidity (except Adelaide Hills, southern Victora, Hunter Valley, parts of Tasmania) for low risk of disease and rot. Sustainability easier here. Entwine is national sustainability program; 650 members with 30% of vineyards.
Birds and Kangaroos. Netting is expensive.
Grape Varieties
Shiraz: 40,000 ha Cab Sauv: 25,000 Chard: 21,000 Merlot: 8,000 Sauv Blanc: 6,000 Pinot Noir: 5,000 Semillon: 4,000 Pinot Gris: 4,000 Riesling: 3,000
Shiraz
Flagship variety, 30% of all plantings, very successful on export.
Adaptable, planted in most areas with a range of styles. Hotter: Barossa, McLaren Vale; full body, high alcohol, high soft tannin, pronounced dark fruit and spice; leather with age. Cooler: Yarra, Grampians; less full body, med alcohol, red fruit, black cherry, black pepper. Lots of multi regional blends.
Trend is towards less ripe styles. Reducing extraction and oak and using whole bunch. Very goo to outstanding made in open fermentation tanks with punch down for soft extraction of tannin.
Widely used in blends including GSM or Shiraz Viognier (co-fermented in higher quality). Or with Cab Sauv to soften.
Cab Sauv
Grew rapidly in the 80’s. Can produce outstanding varietal wines and blends with other Bordeaux varieties and Shiraz.
Singles range in style but all have higher acid and tannin vs Shiraz. Blackcurrant and cherry. Oak for many.
Leading regions are Coonawarra (with mint or eucalyptus) and Margaret River (often blended with Merlot and riper with more subtle herbal).
Other Red Varieties
Merlot: usually in blends with Cab Sauv. Some varietals in a range of styles.
Pinot Noir: in cooler areas like Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Tasmania. Whole bunch for aroma, cold maceration for color and flavor, stem inclusion for structure. Maturation in French oak.
Grenache: 1,500ha. Used in Rhone blends. Old bush vines in McLaren Vale, Eden Valley, Barossa Valley for single variety wines. Traditionally high alcohol and jammy, now more restrained. Sometimes whole bunch or stems to enhance aroma and tannin. Old oak or large to not overwhelm.
Chardonnay
Most planted white and found in nearly every region. General style has evolved from ripe with overt oak to earlier picking for a leaner style.
Inexpensive are tank fermented sometimes with oak from chips or staves. Higher quality may use oak (more restrained), lees, ambient yeasts, solids during fermentation, barrel fermentation (french). MLF full or partial depending on desired style. For warmer areas can be blocked to retain acidity, vice versa cooler.
Sauvignon Blanc
Increasing in cooler areas like Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Tasmania. Also hotter areas for inexpensive high vol.
Less herbaceous than Marlborough. Adelaide some of the best. Usually stainless, but some barrel.
Blended with Semillon in Margaret River.
Semillon
As a varietal produces very distinct wines.
Notably, low alcohol, high acid, unoaked made in Hunter Valley. Neutral in youth, developing great complexity with age.
Barossa makes full bodied with higher alcohol and oak maturation. Not as age worthy as Hunter.
Also made into Bordeaux blends.
Frequently impacted by botrytis on some sites in Riverina for complex sweet wines.
Other Whites
Pinot Gris / Grigio: Made in both light Italian and fuller Alsatian styles. Some of the best labeled as Gris come from Mornington Peninsula and Tasmania.
Riesling: Mostly bone dry with high acidity. Good coming from Clare and Eden Valley, Great Southern, Canberra, Tasmania.
Laws and Regulations
Geographical Indicators (GI’s) developed in the 1990’s.
Zones: Largest areas. No rules on the boundaries or for shared geographic or climatic characters. Can cover an entire state (like South Australia, Victoria, NSW). or several such as South Eastern Australia (covering several states). Most states have been divided into further zones (i.e. Barossa, Mount Lofty Ranges, Fleurieu). These three make up the Adelaide “super zone”
Regions: Smaller than zones. In 2017, 65 were registered. Coonawarra, Clare Valley, Margaret River. Vary in size but must have consistent and distinct qualities. Must produce 500 tons of grapes / yr across at least five differently owned vineyards of at least 5ha. 14 sub-regions have been made with particular climate, soil, topography (mainly in Great Southern and Hunter Valley).
Labeling governed by the Label Integrity Program (LIP), introduced in 1990. If a GI, vintage, or variety is mentioned, must be 85%. If multiple varieties, must be listed in order. Detailed records must be kept which are audited by the Australia Grape and Wine Authority. Other than this no other rules about grape growing or winemaking.
South Eastern Australia Zone Basic
Vast zone covering the whole of Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania along with the south east corner of South Australia and Queensland. Created for high volume wines blending grapes from across the zone.
Most grapes come from the Murray-Darling Basin, an area of 1M km^2 formed by the Murray and Darling rivers and tributaries. Three regions within this basin are Riverland (along Murray River in South Aus), Murray-Darling (along both rivers in Victoria and NSW) and Riverina (along Murrumbidgee River in NSW). Riverland is in the Lower Murray Zone and Murray Darling and Riverina are in Big Rivers Zone. Three largest wine producing areas by vine and vol.
Murray Darling Basin Viticulture
Hot and continental with a slight cooling from the rivers. Despite being 200km inland has a slight maritime influence as no mountains in b/n.
Ideal for consistently high yields of healthy grapes. A number of biggest producers have bases here including Casella Family Brands (Yellowtail) and De Bortoli in Riverina, Australia Vintage in Riverland and Lindeman’s (part of Treasury) in Murray Darling
In the rain shadow of the great dividing range so low rainfall (135 during growing season in Riverland). This with sandy soils means irrigation is essential. Water from the rivers, but recent droughts has made for very low water levels. Sig increases in water prices and lower grape prices have pushed some out.
Murray Darling Basin Grapes & Winemaking
Shiraz and Chard are main with Semillon in Riverina.
Med body, high alcohol, relatively low acid, ripe fruit flavors.
Some higher quality are emerging. Better balanced, more complex Shiraz and Chard from lower yields. And varieties better suited to heat; Petit Verdot, Viognier, Italian varieties (Vermentino, Nero d’Avola, Montepulciano).
The area around Griffith in Riverina has a reputation for excellent lusciously sweet wine from Semillon. Here summer is hot and dry, but autumn brings rainfall and humidity, morning mists, and afternoons that are still sunny; ideal for noble rot.
South Australia
Largest wine producing state by volume; nearly 50% of national annual crush.
Much is too hot so most vineyards in the south east corner near the coast. There is significant diversity of climate, topography, and soil between the different regions.
Covers the whole area in the state and also forms part of the South Eastern Zone. Eight smaller zones: Barossa, Mount Lofty Ranges, Fleurieu, Limestone Coast. The Lower Murray Zone contains the Riverland Region.
Barossa Zone
One of Austalia’s best known regions.
Split into two regions: Barossa Valley mainly covering the flat valley floor and Eden Valley covering the hills to the east.
Black varieites are 80% with Shiraz the most. Many blend Shiraz from both regions to combine the intensity and body from the warmer Barossa Valley with elegance and higher acidity of cooler Eden Valley.
Barossa Valley
Plain protected on the west by low hills, east by the Eden Valley, and south by steeper parts of Mount Lofty Ranges known as Adelaide Hills. Over 9,000 ha.
Warm climate with hot sunny summers but cooler nights. Rainfall low during growing season (160mm), irrigation necessary in most years but disease pressure low.
Most on plain b/n 250 and 370m. Ideal for ripe full bodied red wine. vineyards on valley sides are little cooler for slightly fresher style. Some blend b/n two.
Complex variety of soils, increasingly being exploited for wines with diff characters. Northern part; ironstone layer prized for water retention and making some of the most age worthy.
Vines first planted in 1840’s and now home to some of the world’s oldest vines; Shiraz, Grenache. Low yielding, dry farmed bush vines making outstanding complex wines. In 2009, Barossa Old Vine Charter estd to record, preserve, promote. Large number were lost during the vine pull scheme in the 80’s.
Shiraz over 60% of crush, full body, high alcohol, high soft tannin, pronounced ripe(sometimes cooked or dried), black fruit aroma. Many aged in new American oak, with some using French. Some picking earlier for a fresher more elegant style. Both are age worthy.
Cab Sauv second and does better on slightly cooler higher sites. But still richer and riper than Coonawarra or Margaret River. Also some old vine Grenache.
Whites only 10%. Warm climate Chard. Distinct Semillon with higher alcohol and lower acid than Hunter Valley. Prem are fermented and aged in oak, but increase in lighter unoaked styles.
John Duval and Glaetzer Wines.
Eden Valley
East of Barossa Valley; not really a valley but an expanse of rolling hills. Forms part of the Mount Lofty Ranges and is steep enough in some parts to limit mechanization. Up to 600m for some cooler climate areas.
Rain at 230mm in growing season; wind can be strong enough to impact flowering and fruit set and ripening. Some sheltered drier warmer sites on the valley sides.
Wide variety of soil types most having good water holding. This with slightly higher rain means dry farming is more common here. Known for old vine plantings of Shiraz and Riesling and Grenache.
Equal white and red. Riesling most planted at 1/3. Dry with high acid, med alcohol. Stainless to preserve lemon, lime, floral. Best can age for years; honey, nuts, toast; some are aged prior to release for complexity. Good to outstanding mid to prem.
Shiraz most planted black; higher acid, more structured tannin, lower alcohol vs Barossa Valley. In b/n the very ripe Barossa style and cooler climate versions with pepper. Ripe fresh plum and blackberry with sweet spice from oak.
Henschke and Pewsey Vale
Mount Lofty Ranges Zone
Range of mountains to the east of Adelaide, surrounding Barossa Valley on three sides.
Includes Adelaide Hills and Clare Valley.
Adelaide Hills
Area of valleys and steep hillsides, which restrict mechanization in many places. Considerable aspects, topography and soil. Climate is cool to moderate with temps varying with altitude (400 - 500m) and proximity to ocean. Site selection important as norther end at lower altitude and west facing can ripen reds, central higher altitude better for whites and Pinot. High diurnal ranges here retain acidity. This area home to sub regions - Piccadilly Valley and Lenswood.
Due to maritime climate, rain relatively high at 280 - 320 in growing season. Most in winter and spring, sometimes disrupting flowering and fruit set. Collected in dams for later irrigation. High rain means humidity is relatively high so fungal disease and rot a concern. Spraying common but reducing.
Whites are 60% with Sauv Blanc at 25%. Intense ripe fruit, high acid, med alcohol. Good to very good and mid. Chard for still and sparkling. Med plus to high acid, med body, due to intense sun, ripe stone fruit. MLF, oak, and lees all common for texture and complexity. Very good to outstanding and mid to prem.
Pinot Noir most black. Sig for sparkling but also still that is good to very and mid to prem. med plus acid, med body, med alcohol. Range from delicate and floral to spicy but all firmer tannins than Victoria.
Shiraz much less than elsewhere. Experimentation with Gruner, Blaufrankich, Arneis, Fiano, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo and organic espec in Basket Range.
Clare Valley
Northern part of the Mount Lofty Ranges. Warm but hot summer temps are tempered by cool afternoon breezes and cold nights. Wide diurnal range that helps slow ripening and retain acidity.
Between 300 and 500m. Shallow valley within a series of ridges and hills with valleys between them. Variety of microclimates; white grapes grown at higher altitudes on more exposed sites; black grapes on lower warmer sites. Slopes not that steep so mechanization possible.
Rain falls in winter with 250mm during growing season. Dams built for water retention, but in low rain years scarcity is an issue. Some dry farm for prem wines where low yields are desirable. Low humidity for low fungal disease risk.
Small family owned places. 72% black with half of those Shiraz then Cab Sauv. Med plus acid and tannin, pronounced ripe black fruit, mint or eucalyptus. Good to outstanding and mid to prem with some super.
Well known for Riesling at 25% of total plantings. Intense sunlight, so need to protect from sunburn. Canopies grow thickly to shade western side from full aft sun. Dry, med alcohol, lime, high acidity (higher than Eden). Slate soil of Polish hill are low fertility and less aromatic flintier style, neutral in youth but honey toasty with age. Limestone soils of Watervale are more fertile and produce more aromatic, floral, to be drunk young. Good to outstanding, mid to prem.
Jim Barry and Wendouree
Fleurieu Zone
Fleurieu Peninsula located south of Adelaide with Gulf St. Vincent to the north and Southern Ocean to South. Strong maritime influence with cool breezes tempering the Mediterranean climate.
Best known region is McLaren Vale. Warm climate is suitable for high yields of ripe grapes and many are used in regional blends. Neighboring Langhorne Creek is main source for Jacob’s Creek.
Some smaller estates producing quality from lower yields.
McLaren Vale
Warm to hot summers, winds from Gulf St. Vincent and Adelaide Hills moderate and lower disease risk. Rainfall <200mm during season, but winters wet.
6,200ha with diverse microclimates. Proximity to sea is one factor, as is altitude (0 - 350m).
Complex geology with many soil types from sand to loam to clay. Soils in north are poor with lower nutrients, south are deeper more fertile and higher yields. Excessive vigor can be an issue.
One of oldest regions in Aus. Late 1800’s; Thomas Hardy & Sons was exporting to the UK. Fortified in early 1900’s; Dry red after WWII; 70’s full body Chard and Semillon; since late 80’s return to red.
90% black. Range from inexpensive high vol to super prem for varietal and blends. Shiraz is 50%, then Cab Sauv, Grenache. Deep colored, full body, high alcohol, pronounced dark fruit. Many with spice from oak. In hot / low sites fruit can be cooked or jammy. Higher elevation give more acid and tannin.
Sig old dry farmed bush vines of Shiraz and Grenache, particularly Blewitt Springs in the north where sandy soils over clay base help water retention. Old vine Grenache attracting attention with med tannin and acid, med to med plus body, fresh fruit, spice, herbal. Old oak to not overwhelm. Prem.
Increased interest in Sangiovese, Fiano, Vermentino which can retain acid in heat.
Dominated by large vineyards trellised for machine harvesting (good for night harvest when grapes are cool).
Ideal for organic and biodynamic and increasing. Sustainable Winegrowing Australia to improve quality and minimize environment impact; incl sustainable water use. Irrigation sourced from sustainable sources; dams, boreholes, recycled waste water.
Hardy’s, Mollydooker, Yangarra
Limestone Coast Zone
South eastern corner of South Aus and set apart from other regions. Further south for a cooler climate.
Summer days can still be warm to hot, but sea breezes moderate and nights are cool for high diurnal ranges.
Area is flat so maritime influence extends inward.
Excellent wines, particularly from Coonawarra but also Mount Benson, Padthaway, Wrattonbully.
Coonawarra
Moderate climate similar to Bordeaux but slightly warmer and drier. Even though 100km from coast, still gets cool ocean breezes; this and clouds moderate temps.
Rainfall 260mm in season, can impact flowering and fruit set (along with winds). Spring frost can be a hazard (sprinklers). Irrigation widely used from aquifers.
Best wines come from terra rossa (red soil). Free draining, iron rich loam 50cm deep over a hard limestone base. Vines struggle to penetrate and can’t get water. Slightly alkaline restricting nutrient uptake. This all restricts vigor and reduces yields for concentrated grapes. Terra Rossa forms a narrow strip n the central core of region and prices are expensive.
Total GI is 5,000ha and has some limestone and brown or black clay. These retain more water and vines are vigorous with higher yields and less concentration.
Some of Aus finest red wines, particularly from Cab Sauv (>50% plantings). Med to full body, med plus alcohol, high firm tannins, concentrated dark fruit with mint and eucalyptus. Frequently matured in oak for spice.
Also sig Shiraz. Usually lighter than Barossa, but still concentrated blackberry, herbal, minty. Sometimes blended with Cab Sauv.
Whites less than 10%. Some very good Chard with ripe pear to pineapple. Riesling, fruitier and less acidity than elsewhere.
Labor can be a problem given isolation. Lots of mechanization and recently more immigrants allowed.
Wynns and Katnook
Victoria
Split into six smaller zones with a range of conditions. Port Phillip Zone (home to some of Aus’s coolest vineyards), Western Victoria, Central Victoria, North East Victoria Zones (influenced by Great Dividing Ranges). North West Victoria Zone is hottest and runs along southern border of NSW and includes Murray-Darling Region. Gippsland runs along east coast and has variable conditions from northern and eastern weather systems.
Third in terms of production by states, more focused on quality than quantity (except Murray Darling) and prices are higher.
Phylloxera is a threat with a number of outbreaks recently, notably in Yarra Valley which is classified as infested. Mornington Peninsula is “at risk” and biosecurity taken seriously. All new vineyards are on phylloxera resistant rootstock and replanting programs are underway for older.
Port Phillip Zone
Area around Melbourne and the coast of Port Phillip Bay.
Proximity to the sea moderates the climate and cools growing season. In some areas altitude also plays a role.
Suitable for early ripening Pinot and Chard. Some warm enough for Cab Sauv and Shiraz.
Includes: Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Geelong, Macedon Ranges
Yarra Valley
Inland and to the northeast of Melbourne. Diverse region of 2,150ha.
Cool to moderate climate with variation due to altitude (50 - 350m). Typically split into Upper (cooler higher altitude in southeast) and Lower (warmer, lower altitude in northwest) Yarra Valley.
Slopes are relatively gentle, providing subtly diff microclimates. Frost can be a hazard on valley floors due to cold air sinking from hills above.
1,100mm rain (one of wettest areas) with 450 - 550 in season. High humidity and fungal diseases. Soils are varied. Lower Yarra is loamy clay; low in fertility, well drained (irrigation needed). Upper Yarra is deeper more fertile volcanic soils that can be dry farmed.
Blacks are 2/3 with Pinot half of that. Light to med body with lighter from Upper where whole bunch is used to enhance perfume. Med body from lower sites with riper fruit. Mixture of new and used oak, increasingly large (500L). Good to outstanding and mid to prem.
Chard 25%; white peach, grapefruit, melon. Happy medium between the big overripe style of the past and a too lean. Now high acid with fruit. New and used oak for fermentation and maturation (growing pref for large format); high degree of solids in fermentation (some smoky notes from reductive compounds), often lees for texture. MLF often avoided. Good to outstanding and mid to prem.
Shiraz and Cab Sauv in lower warmer areas.
Mount Mary and Yarra Yering.
Mornington Peninsula
Narrow peninsula with Port Phillip Bay on one side and Bass Strait on the other. Cool to moderate climate; often windy which cools, moderating impact of water gives mild autumns extending growing season.
Wind means frost is uncommon and reduces threat of fungal disease (despite high humidity from water). But can disrupt flowering. Rain 320 - 390 in season.
Relatively flat (although Red Hill up to 250m provides variety of microclimates). Named after red Basalt soils which retain winter rain through season so no irrigation needed. Vigor can be an issue in these fertile soils. Some use Lyre instead of VSP to manage. Away from the ridge soils are free draining clay and sand so irrigation needed.
Fewer than 800ha. Black 60% with Pinot 75% of that. Range of styles from light body and perfume, med plus acid (from the ridge hill), to more intense ripe with higher tannins (lower parts). Cold soaking used to extract color. Whole bunch or stem might be used for complexity or tannin. Many aged in French oak, with some new. Good to outstanding and prem.
Chard 25%. Med body with high acid, med alcohol, citrus, peach, melon. Many have lees and oak aging (small portion new). Some use MLF for rounder style. Good to outstanding and prem.
Also Shiraz and Pinot Gris.
Dominated by small producers. Many have cellar doors, restos, cafes. Yabby Lake and Paringa.
Geelong
West of Melbourne and includes Bellarine Peninsula which skirts the south of Port Phillip Bay. Where Phylloxera was first discovered in Aus.
Cool climate with nearby Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait moderating. 500 - 600mm rainfall, majority in winter and spring. Strong southwest winds reduce humidity and threat of fungal disease.
290 ha with Chard and Pinot dominant on cool sites and Shiraz and Cab Sauv on warmer. Styles are riper than Yarra Valley. Many Pinots are whole bunch.
Good to very good and mid to prem.
Paradise IV Wines and Wines by Farr
Macedon Ranges
143 ha and 40 small quality focused wineries.
Macedon Ranges are part of Great Dividing Range and vineyards are at 300 - 800m. One of coolest climates in mainland Aus and site selection critical to reduce frost risk and enhance ripening.
Shallow granitic sandy loam on hillsides which reduces yields. Deeper loam on lower slopes.
Chard and Pinot for still and sparkling, Riesling a specialty with intense lemon and lime. Shiraz also made with distinct black pepper (needs warm sunny site to fully ripen).
Western Victoria Zone
Large area stretching from Port Phillip Zone to the border with South Australia.
Two sig regions are Grampians and Pyrenees, named after the range of hills they are situated on, both of which are extensions of the Great Dividing Range.
Grampians was called Great Western, but now that’s a sub region within it.
Henty recognized for cool climate elegant wines.
Grampians, Pyrenees
130km inland with a moderate climate. Temps moderated by altitude (240 - 440m) creating a wide diurnal range to retain acidity.
Pyrenees East of Grampians. Area of gentle slopes slightly lower and warmer than Gramps.
Slopes reduce risk of spring frost, while lower vineyards are at risk.
Rainfall during growing season 250mm but sandy, loamy soils retain water well so many not irrigated. Some soils are acidic which can result in reduced vigor unless treated with lime.
Both known for med body Shiraz with pepper and spice. Fresh fruit in cooler high regions; intense concentrated black fruit in lower warmer areas of Pyrenees. Good to very good and mid with some prem.
Mount Langi Ghiran (Grampians); Dalwhinnie (Pyrenees).
Henty
Far southwest corner of Victoria. One of the coldest mainland regions, influenced by cold Antarctic winds, but with high number of sunshine hours. From 0 - 460m.
Riesling the signature variety with high acid, pronounced lemon and lime that gets toasty with age.
Chard, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Cab Sauv all with fresh flavors and moderate alcohol.
North East Victoria Zone
Over 200km inland from Melbourne; continental climate. Varied region stretching from flat plains of Rutherglen to cool upper regions of King Valley in foothills of Great Dividing Range.
Highest in the King Valley are 860m (among highest in Aus). Temps are very cool and rainfall high making disease a concern. Temps rise going down the valley, moderated by the river and altitude (bottom is 250m). Soils are well draining loam with high fertility so vigor is high.
Equal black and white with total 1,400ha. Higher sites light bodied whites with high acid, lower full bodied whites and reds.
Pinot Gris most planted white made in dry light bodied Pinot Grigio style (and labeled as such). Merlot and Cab most black, Italian varieties most interesting: Sangiovese, Barbera, Nebbiolo. Good to very and mid to prem.
Majority consumed domestically, recently some small exports of the more interesting grapes. Pizzini and de Bortoli.
Beechworth Region in the hills south of Rutherglen; from 200 - 1,000m for a wide range of microclimates. Chard is med body, med to high acid, and med alcohol. Med body Shiraz, Pinot, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese.
Central Victoria Zone
Large area of Central Victoria with wide range of climates.
Warm flat plains of Goulburn Valley and Bendingo make ripe full bodied reds. Goulburn also white from Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne. Number of cooler regions incl Upper Goulburn in the foothills of Great Dividing Range, making high quality whites from Riesling and Sauv Blanc.
Heathcote lies in a narrow strip of the Mount Carmel Range at 160 - 320m. Summer days are warm, but altitude moderates as do southerly winds which are funneled along the slopes. Diurnal range is high for acid retention. This is a distinct feature of Heathcote Shiraz. Rainfall through the year and 250mm in season. Hillsides mean frost rarely an issue. Calcareous red soil made up of weathered greenstone, retains water so dry farming common.
Black 84% and more than half of this Shiraz. Heathcote Shiraz med plus acid, full body, high alcohol, pronounced dark fruit and sweet spice. Good to outstanding and mid to prem. Jasper Hill and Heathcote Estate.
Gippsland Zone
One of the largest in Victoria stretching from Melbourne to eastern border.
Unofficially divided into five regions: East, West, South Gippsland.
More than 50 small family owned spread across coastal flats and hillside slopes.
Climate affected by weather systems from west and wet weather of tropical origin from north. 420 - 530mm in season.
Chard and Pinot widely. Cab Sauv and Shiraz on warm sheltered sites.
New South Wales
On the east coast of Aus. 2nd largest state in terms of production.
Pacific coast north of Sydney has a sub tropical climate with moderate to high temps, high humidity and rainfall (through the year but erratic). Hunter Valley heavily influenced by these conditions.
Most other regions are protected by the Great Dividing Range. Inland is mainly continental and can be very hot and dry, espec in Big Rivers Zone which includes Riverina. In Central Ranges Zone and New South Wales Zone, altitude moderates temps.
Hunter Valley Zone
Contains one Region, Hunter, with 2,300ha is only slightly smaller than Hunter Valley Zone. Three sub-regions, but also unofficially split into Lower and Upper Hunter
32-33S climate is almost tropical. One of the hotter and more humid areas in Aus. Summer daytime temps often over 30C although nights are relatively cool. Low latitude for intense sunshine, though afternoon clouds offer some respite.
Lower Hunter is closer to the coast and benefits from sea breezes so slightly cooler than Upper Hunter. Undulating hills at low altitude. Soils range form sandy loam to clay loam over clay base.
Rain falls during growing season (500mm) and high humidity makes fungal disease a risk. But irrigation not needed except very dry years. No protection from summer storms along the coast. Warm climate, earlier ripening and threat of storms makes this area one of first to be picked.
White and black equal. Famous for unique Semillon. Dry, light body, high acid, low alcohol (10% - 11%). Neutral in youth but can age for decades developing toast, honey, hay. Best not released till 5 years old. Picked early, pressed without skin contact, fermented moderate temps in stainless, and bottled soon after. Rarely any oak. Good to outstanding and mid to prem. Tyrrell’s and Mount Pleasant.
Chardonnay also widely in a rang. Also high quality Shiraz
Central Ranges Zone
Split into three regions from north to south: Mudgee, Orange, Cowra along the western inland side of the Great Dividing Range.
Mudgee adjacent to Hunter Valley Zone, but Great Dividing Range gives protection from storms and rainfall is lower, particularly at harvest. Rain can be very low and irrigation often necessary. Continental with altitude cooling and a high diurnal range and intense sunshine. Grapes ripen fully while retaining acidity. Spring frosts can be an issue and site selection critical.
Orange: On the slopes of Mount Canobolas, an ancient volacano between 600 and 900m with a few higher. Soils are deep red volcanic basalt; yellow / brown clay loam and shallow gravels. Quite windy mitigating some spring frost risk. But can also affect fruit set.
Blacks on lower slightly warmer slopes are 3/5 of all plantings. Shiraz and Cab Sauv dominate for med body med alcohol. Cooler higher are for whites; Chard, high in acid, med body, stone fruit, MLF, top wines with oak. Some high quality Sauv Blanc and some Pinot Gris. Good to very good and mid with a few prem. Ross Hill and Tamburlaine.
Mudgee to the north and Cowra to south of Orange are lower and warmer. Black are more common in Mudgee with Shiraz and Cab Sauv and Chard dominant in Cowra. Riper than Orange.
Southern New South Wales Zone
Inland area south of Sydney down to border of Victoria. Sheltered from maritime influence by a range of hills and the Snowy Mountains. Continental climate with altitude cooling.
Includes four small regions including Canberra District. Between 500 and 600m and this with continental means high diurnal range with warm days and cool nights. Altitude means high sunshine intensity to aid ripening. Winter and spring can be cold and frost an issue so site selection important. Summer relatively dry so irrigation necessary. Autumn rain can be a challenge some years.
Blacks majority with Shiraz most. Deep color, ripe black cherry, high ripe tannin, high acidity. Shiraz Viognier blends common. Good to outstanding mid to prem. Clonakilla and Ravensworth.
Riesling most important white; dry, high acid, delicate floral and citrus. Very good to outstanding.
Regions of Hilltops and Tumbarumba increasingly recognized. Located at a range of altitudes, continental climate with warm sunny days and much cooler nights. Hilltops predominantly Shiraz, Cab Sauv, Chard. Tumbarumba slightly cooler, Pinot, Chard for still and sparkling.
Tasmania
Island 250km south of mainland separated by Bass Strait. 1,500ha so less than 1% of volume produced. Well known for sparkling, but still are 2/3 and most are prem.
Cool maritime climate due to latitude (41 - 43S) and westerly winds from the Southern Ocean, bringing high rainfall. Most rain falls on west coast not reaching the east. Treated as a single GI but informal regions with distinctive climates, topography, soil.
Southern Tasmania cooler than north due to latitude, but with slightly longer sunshine hours aiding ripening. Cooler temps mean site selection critical. Vineyards face north and east to maximize sunshine exposure. South east is drier and less humid so irrigation may be necessary. Northwest rain 350mm in season and humidity means fungal disease a risk. Spring frosts a threat , fans and sprinklers to mitigate.
Half black and white. Pinot 50%, Chard 25%. Sparkling and still. Pinot light to med body with med plus to high acid, med alcohol, strawberry, cherry. Warmer sites can be riper and more intense.
Chard med body, med alcohol, apple, peach, pear. Naturally high acid, full MLF to soften. Nearly all top wines are barrel fermented. Both Chard and Pinot may be matured in oak with only some new to not overwhelm.
Sauv Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Merlot, Cab Sauv, Shiraz also. Tolpuddle, Tamar Ridge.
Western Australia
Much of the state is too hot for vines. For many years production was centered around Swan Valley in Greater Perth Zone (same latitude as Hunter Valley), one of Aus’s hottest regions and made high yields of very ripe grapes for inexpensive or fortified.
Since 1990’s production increasing in cooler south western corner where temps are moderated by ocean and altitude.
3% of total Aus vol but focused on premium.
Includes the South West Australia Zone: Crescent around south western tip of western Australia and eastwards along the coast. Contains six smaller regions with Margaret River and Great southern having a presence on export market.
Margaret River.
Peninsula on the very southwest corner of Aus. Best known region in the area. Surrounded by water on three sides, Indian Ocean north and west; Southern Ocean to south.
34S latitude so oceans play imp role in moderating temps, but days are still warm. Indian Ocean is relatively warm so temps do not drop much at night for longer ripening, contributing to ripeness region known for. Maritime influence means frost rarely a problem. Rainfall high at 1,000mm, but mostly in winter and season is dry at 275mm.
Relatively flat with gentle hills and valleys. Vineyards between 40 and 90m. A low ridge runs through the center of the region. It has gravelly free draining soils so irrigation is essential (water from dams storing winter rain). Soils are low in fertility moderating vigor. Ridge provides some shelter for vineyards to the east for warmer conditions.
5,000ha. half black and white. Cab Sauv most black, often blended with Merlot for med plus acid, med plus to full body, high ripe tannin, blackberry, blackcurrant, spice. Many in Bordeaux style, matured in French oak with some or all new. Good to outstanding and mid to super.
Sauv Blanc and Semillong most, but Chard the signature. Naturally high in acid, med plus to full body, concentrated stone fruit. MLF blocked in all but coolest years to retain acidity. Full range of styles, but barrel fermentation and maturation in french oak with some new. Lees for texture and complexity. Good to outstanding and mid to prem.
Sauv Blanc blended with Semillon. High acid, grassy, herbaceous, gooseberry, tropical. Fermented in stainless for primary, more expensive partial or full barrel fermentation for texture, weight, depth. Good to very and mid.
Leeuwin and Moss Wood
Great Southern
150km east of Margaret River, large diverse area covering the coast and stretch of hills inland.
Five official sub regions that cover half the total area. Albany and Denmark along the coast have maritime climate. In the north of Denmark and remaining regions of Mount Barker, Porongurup, Frankland River, altitude plays a role with vineyards up to 300m. Maritime influence reduced inland with Frankland River being more continental with a wide diurnal range.
Rainfall varies from 350mm in Denmark to 220 in Frankland River. Many are dry farmed or need minimal irrigation, except drier Frankland River. Irrigation difficult in low lying areas due to soil salinity and water may be pumped in from elsewhere.
Black 59%. 2,000ha total. Shiraz 30% mainly in the warmer Mount Barker and Frankland River regions. High acid and tannin, med to full body, blackberry, cherry, herbal, pepper, spice. Some use whole bunches to enhance aroma. Good to outstanding and mid to prem. Larry Cherubino and Howard Park.
Cab Sauv from Mount Barker and warmer areas of Denmark is intense and powerful while from cooler Porongurup more elegant, med body, savory.
Riesling flagship white, though sig less than Chard and Sauv Blanc. Styles vary but most high acid with lime and floral. Porongurup the best making light body wines that develop toasty stony characters with age. Good to outstanding and mid.
Sauv Blanc more varietal; from Albany and Denmark highly aromatic with herbaceous.
Chard in a range of styles, barrel fermentation and lees.
Wine Business
2,250 wineries in 2018 down from 2,500 in 2010’s. Many smaller wineries stopped producing and became growers. But most are still small; 80% crush less than 250 tons. 12 producers crush over 20,000 tons.
Production vols dominated by 5 co’s: Accolade Wines, Casella Family Brands, Treasury Wine Estates, Pernod Ricard, Australian Vintage. 87% of all exports.
Wine Australia is govt authority that funds R&D for the industry with income from a levy on growers. Controls exports and promotes on domestic and international. Increase demand, competitiveness, and quality image.
5th largest exporter in the world. 8.5m hL in 2018 (2/3 of total production). 10% vol / 20% val increase over 2017. Half of exports are Shiraz, Cab Sauv (or blend) and Chard.
Vol Markets: UK, China, USA, Canada, Germany
Val Markets: China, USA, UK, Canada, NZ
China fastest growing over past 5 years. 2017 - 2018 +47% vol and 55% val. Aided by China Australia Free Trade Agreement.
Cellar doors imp to small wineries with 2/3 having. Wine tourism imp.
