Australia Flashcards
What is Australia famous for?
Full-bodied Shiraz, lime-flavored Rieslings, elegant Cabernets and subtle semillon
What is the climate in Australia?
There is a diverse range but generally due to the latitude the climate is warm or hot
What tempers the hot climate in Australia?
the proximity to either the Southern or Indian Ocean and also the Murray River System
What moderating effect does Adelaide Hills and Eden Valley have?
They are cooled by altitude.
What are some hazards in Australia?
Drought, bush fire and smoke taint
Hunter Valley has what climate and Barossa Valley has what climate?
Hunter Valley is hot and Barossa Valley is warm
Describe a Shiraz from Hunter valley or Barossa Valley?
full-bodied, intensely fruity, earthy and spicy notes, leather as they age
What style of Shiraz is made in Geelong or Heathcote?
A leaner more peppery style
What role does Shiraz play with Cab in Australia?
It is blended with Cabernet to give it softness and body similar to Merlot’s role in Bordeaux
How is Australian Cabernet Sauvignon different than Australian Shiraz?
darker, firmer tannins, higher acidy, ripe black fruit character with toasty oak notes
What are some classic regions for Australian Cabernet Sauvignon?
Coonawara and Margaret River
Where is Pinot Noir grown in Australia?
Cooler sites such as Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsual and Tasmania
What is the style of Australian Pinot Noir?
medium-bodied, medium alchohol, med/high acidity, cherry and strawberry
What is the most planted white grape in Australia?
Chardonnay
What is the hierarchy of regions in Australia?
Zones, Regions and sub-regions
Where do the high quality chardonnays come from?
Adelaide Hills, Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley and warm site Margaret River
Where is Sauvignon Blanc grown?
Moderate climate Adelaide Hills
What is the unique way that Australia makes Semillon?
Harvested early for low sugar levels and high acid, minimal oxygen and inert vessels for fermentation and storage.
Where does Australia grow Semillon and what is the resulting style?
Hunter Valley. light in alcohol, neutral in flavor when first bottled but with age amazing honey and toast flavors with age
How is riesling made in a style unique to Australia? And where are they made?
Clare Valley and Eden Valley, Unoaked, high acid, dry or off dry. pronounced citrus fruits (lime, lemon) in youth that rapidly develop into honey, toast and petrol.
What is the other region making Riesling? And how does it compare?
Tasmania and it is less citrus and more floral
What are the five Wine Zones in Australia?
South Eastern Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, Western Australia an Tasmania
What are the three known regions in South Eastern Australia and what are they known for?
Riverland, Murray-Darling and Riverina. Known for high volume, fertile irrigated vineyards, blending of grapes from across region
What else is Riverina known for?
The production of botrytised wines made from Semillon.
What is South Australia known for?
Most prestigious, most expensive wines
What are the regions in South Australia?
Barossa Valley, Eden Valley, Clare Valley, Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra
Where are the coolest regions on Australia mainland?
Victoria
What is the climate of Yarra Valley and what is it known for?
Cool to moderate maritime, Pinot Noir and high quality sparkling wine
What is the style of a Pinot Noir from Yarra Valley?
rich in fruit, strawberries, plum, dark cherries, ripe soft tannins and oak
What is the climate of the Mornington Peninsula and what is it known for?
cool to moderate maritime, known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
What is the style of a Chardonnay from Mornington Penninsula?
citrus, pear and apple aromas, high acid, softened by MLF
What is Geelong known for and what is its style?
Chardonnay and its complex, concentrated and full-bodied
Which Victoria region specializes in Marsanne?
Goulburn Valley
What is the main region of New South Wales?
Hunter Valley
What is the climate of Hunter Valley and what is it known for?
Hot, humid climate, known for Semillon and of course Shiraz
What is the style of Hunter Valley Semillon?
Light-bodied, low alcohol, high acid, initially neutral flavors but evolve into toast, nut and honey with age
What is the climate of Margaret River and what is it know for?
Warm maritime climate, know for Chardonnay and Cabernet/Merlot bordeaux blends
What is the style of a Margaret River Chardonnay?
Concentrated stone-fruit aromas, high acid, barrel ageing and MLF
Where is Sauvignon Blanc blended with Semillon in Australia?
Margaret River
What is the climate of Tasmania and what is it know for?
Cool Maritime climate know for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and base wine for sparkling wine
