Australia Flashcards
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
Tumbarumba?
Tumbarumba:
- Quality wines
- Range of altitudes
- Continental climate
- Warm days and cooler nights
- Slightly cooler than Hilltops
- Pinot & Chardonnay for still and sparkling mainly
Which Australian region specializes in Botrytized Semillon?
Riverina in New South Wales
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”.
List 4 unofficial sub-regions of Barossa Valley:
Seppeltsfield
Rowland Flat District
Barossa Foothills
Western Ridge
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.
How many wineries in Australia?
in 2018 – 2,250 wineries or vineyards with a brand in Australia
The Hunter produces a uniqe expression of Semillon - describe it and how is it made
-
Semillon
- Unique expression of the varietal
- Dry; light bodied; high Acidity; low alcohol (10-11%);delicate Citrus ch & fairly neutral in youth
- Can age for decades ; developing complex & pronounced Toast, Honey, Hay notes with bottle ageing
- Highest quality not released until 5 years old
- Grapes picked early; must gently pressed; no skin contact to avoid extraction of phenolic compounds as Tannins;
- Must fermented at moderate temps in SS tanks
- Bottled straight away: rarely see oak
- Good to Outstanding quality: Mid – Premium priced
- Significant producer: TYRRELLS & MOUNT PLEASANT
How did wine writer Hugh Johnson describe Penfolds “Grange”?
“The only First Growth of the Southern Hemisphere”
What are the 3 main rivers that are used for irrigation in South Eastern Australia?
Murray
Darling
Murrumbidgee
Where is Clare Valley, what’s the climate like and what white wine is it renowned for making and what does it taste like?
120 km north of Adelaide
Warm Mediterranean climate with a high diurnal range due to altitude on vineyards at 300-500mRL
Riesling - Dry, intense citrus and lime with hi acidity
with bottle age, honey and toast
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
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 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 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
Where does Australia currently rank in terms of total production worldwide?
7th
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
What is the most important GI for fine wines in the Limestone Coast?
Coonawarra GI
Which regions make up the Barossa Zone?
Barossa Valley + Eden Valley
What are the 4 main fortified wines produced in Australia?
- Tawny
- Vintage Fortified
- Muscat
- Topaque
Chardonnay from Tasmania - describe the wines
Chardonnay
- Around 25% of total plantings
-
Wines
- Medium Bodied with Medium Alcohol
- Flavours of apple, white peach, pear
- High Acidity often with full MLF (softens & enhances texture)
- Generally Barrel ferment (texture & Integration of Oak)
- Matured in old Oak , with some new
Name the oldest Australian winery and the year it was established:
George Wyndham Estate / 1828
Lenswood and Piccadilly Valley are sub-regions located within what GI?
Adelaide Hills GI


