Australia and New Zealand Flashcards
How does Australia rank among the New World countries in terms of wine exporting?
Australia is the largest wine exporter of the New World countries, fourth in the world after Italy, France, and Spain.
Where in Australia is wine production heavily concentrated?
In the southeastern quadrant
Australia’s climate?
On average the country is hot and dry and relatively inhospitable to grapes. More moderate climates are found along parts of the south coast, in Australia’s primary mountain chain (The Great Dividing Range), and on the island of Tasmania.
What is Australia’s coolest wine growing region?
The island of Tasmania which is surrounded by the frigid Southern Ocean.
What is the top grape variety in Australia?
Shiraz (the same grape as the Syrah of the Rhone Valley in France)
What are the next most prominent red grapes in Australia?
Cab Sav and to a lesser extent Merlot. Both of which are frequently bottled as single-variety wines or blended with Shiraz.
What is the top white grape variety in Australia?
Chardonnay. No other white variety comes close to Chardonnay in importance, but the next most common is Semillon
What is Gordo Blanco?
(Muscat of Alexandria) which is grown in the hotter areas and often used in fortified wines.
The place-of-origin system in Australia is similar to which country?
The US; in that the appellations - officially known as GIs (geographical indications) - are simply areas on a map. They place no restrictions on the viticultural or vinicultural procedures of grape growers or winemakers within their boundaries.
What are the categories and subcategories in the Australian GI System?
Multistate Zone (south eastern australia), State (New South Wales), Zone (Big Rivers), Regions (Murray Darling), SubRegions
When is some sort of homogeneity and distinctiveness from a wine growing standpoint found in the Australian GI System? Who is in charge of this process?
The small place-of-origin areas (regions or subregions, perhaps?), and the quasi-gvernmental Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation are in charge of this process.
In order to list a single GI on a wine label, what % of the wine’s grapes must have been grown in that appellation?
85%
What country is first to require a “Best Before” date on wines?
Australia
Is Australia responsible for any dessert wines?
Yes. They include botrytized Rieslings and Semillons known as “stickies,” as well as late harvested Muscats.
Is Australia responsible for any fortified wines?
Yes. Port-style fortified wines are an Australian specialty, made from Muscat or various combinations of red grapes.
Which Super GI connects almost all of Australia’s vineyards (apart from those of Western Australia) into one zone?
South Eastern Australia.
What is Hunter Valley known for? What State is it in?
Hunter Valley is located just north of Sydney (in New South Wales) and is hot and humid, made suitable for winegrowing by the cooling effect of the afternoon sea breezes. It is particularly known for it’s Semillon.
What is Mudgee known for? What State is it in?
Mudgee is located in New South Wales on the west side of the Great Dividing Range with vineyards approaching 2,000 feet in elevation. It is known for it’s Cab Sav.
What is Tasmania known for?
In the coolest wine region of Australia, Tasmania has a reputation for high quality wines, known for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and sparkling wine production.
What is Rutherglen known for? What State is it in?
Located in Victoria, Rutherglen has a markedly continental climate that brings very hot summer days while frosts are common in the spring and fall Known for fortified Muscat wines and big reds, especially from Shiraz.
Where are Yarra Valley and Mornington Penninsula located? What two varietals are they noted for?
Both located in Victoria on the eastern outskirts of Melbourne, are cool growing areas with high humidity but little summer rain. Noted for PInot Noir and Chardonnay.
