Australia Flashcards
Australia - Factors of Wine Production 1
- Climate: Hot desert interior that is inhospitable to viticulture. Most wines regions are clustered int he southeastern part of the continent.
- Soil: Ancient, eroded and nutrient-poor soil with great diversity.
- Grape Varieties
- White: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Riesling
- Red: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Grenache, Pinot Noir
Australia - Factors of Wine Production 2
- Viticulture
- Vine-growing is concentrated in cooler coastal areas
- Irrigation is imperative
- The warm, dry climate tends to produce very ripe grapes. Maintain adequate natural acidity for achieving balance is important
- 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.
- Acidification is often employed to counterbalance the effects of the country’s warm climate
- Screw cap for still wines and crown caps for sparkling wines.
Australia - Australian Appellation System
- The label integrity Program
- 85% stated grape variety on label
- 85% stated vintage on label
- 85% stated region on label
- Geographical Indication (GI)
- Country of Australia
- South-Eastern Australia
- State of Origin
- Zones
- Regions
- Sub-Regions
Australia - Southeastern Australia - New South Wales - Hunter Valley (Hunter GI)
- Geography: North of Sydney
- Climate: Hot and humid; among the warmest climates in Australia.
- Grape Varieties
- White (60% production): Semillon
Australia - Southeastern Australia - New South Wales - Riverina GI
- Geography: Far inland, the largest wine region in Australia
- Climate: Hot and very humid
- Grape Varieties
- White: Semillon, Chardonnay
- Red: Shiraz, Merlot
- Viticulture
- Riverina represents 50% of production
- Irrigation from nearby rivers is required
- Vinification
- Riverina is known for bulk table wines but also produces fortified wines and botrytis affected dessert wines
Australia - Southeastern Australia - Victoria - Yarra Valley GI
- Climate: Cool, humid, maritime-moderated by the Southern Ocean
- Grape Varieties
- White: Chardonnay
- Red: Pino Noir, Shiraz
- Vinification: Still and sparkling wine production
Australia - Southeastern Australia - Victoria - Rutherglen GI
- Climate: Continental with very hot summers
- Grape Varieties
- White: Muscadelle
- Red: Shiraz, Brown Muscat
- Vinification
- Still wine production
- Fortified dessert wines, often referred to locally as “Stickies”
Australia - Southeastern Australia - Victoria - Murray-Darling GI
- Climate: Very Hot
- Viticulture
- Riverland planting
- Irrigation is essential
- Vinification
- An important region for bulk wine production
Australia - South Australia - Barossa Valley GI
*The largest, most important premium wine area
- Geography: Near the city of Adelaide
- Climate: Mediterranean
- Grape Varieties
- Red: Shiraz, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon
- Viticulture
- Extremely old vines due to the prevention of phylloxera from reaching this area
Australia - South Australia - Eden Valley GI
- Climate: Cooler, higher elevation
- Grape Varieties
- White: Riesling, Chardonnay
- Red: Shiraz
- Viticulture
- High altitude helps retain acidity in the grapes
- Vinification
- Riesling vinified dry
Australia - South Australia - McLaren Vale GI
- Geography: South of Adelaide
- Climate: Warm, yet moderated by cool ocean air
- Grape Varieties
- Red: Shiraz, Grenache
- Viticulture: Vineyards slope down toward the sea to maximize exposure to cool breezes
Australia - South Australia - Clare Valley GI
- Greography: 60 miles north of Adelaide
- Climate: Warm continental, Hot days and cool nights
- Topography: 1300~1800 feet elevation
- Grape Varieties
- White: Riesling
- Red: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon
- Viticulture
- High altidude and cool nights help retain acidity in the grapes
- Vinification
- Dry Riesling production
Australia - South Australia - Coonawarra GI
- Geography: Southern strip of land near the sea
- Climate: Cool, Mediterranean climate
- Soil: Best vineyards are on a single, narrow, 9 mile strip with Terra Rossa soil; a vivid red soil over limestone base
- Grape Varieties
- Red: Cabernet Sauvignon
Australia - Western Australia - Margaret River GI
- Geography: Western Australia, with Perth being the most important metropolis
- Climate: Warm maritime, with the moderating influences of the Indian Ocean
- Grape Varieties
- White: Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc
- Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot
Australia - Which of the follwing is the largest Australian GI?
- South-Eastern Australia
- South Australia
- McLaren Vale
- Western Australia