Australia General/History

Question 1

Maurice O’Shea

Answer 1

O’Shea in Hunter Valley founded Mt. Pleasant in 1925 and produced some of Australia’s first wines labeled by variety during his three-decade tenure as winemaker, despite tepid local interest.

Question 2

Max Schubert

Answer 2

Schubert worked from 1948 to 1975 as Chief Winemaker for Penfolds, with whom he introduced the Shiraz-based “Grange Hermitage” in the 1951 vintage. The wine was originally panned by both critics and the company’s own management, but its star rose. Known simply as “Grange” from 1990 forward, Schubert’s creation became Australia’s first truly collectible wine, and today stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the great wines of the world. Unlike many of its luxury-class peers, “Grange” is not the expression of a single site but rather a selection of the best grapes from a number of the company’s vineyards.

Question 3

What is Wine Australia?

Answer 3

formerly Australia Wine and Brandy Corporation, a government authority that maintains oversight over the wine industry, regulating its label language, defining geographical boundaries of wine regions, moderating exports and trade, and promoting the product at home and abroad.

Question 4

Label Integrity Program of 1990

Answer 4

any wines labeled by variety, vintage, or region to contain a minimum 85% of the stated grape, year, or region, respectively. If multiple varieties are to be listed on the label (i.e., Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre) the grapes must be listed in order of proportion in the blend. All components making up a minimum 85% of the blend must appear on the label, and no listed grape may be in lower proportion than an unnamed variety.

Question 5

What is a GI?

Answer 5

Geographical Indications-geographic scope of Australia’s appelations, with no restrictions (like most New World countries) on grape varieties, yields, etc. Within each state, Australian appelations are subdivieded into zones, regions, and sub-regions

Question 6

How are Australian regions and sub-regions defined?

Answer 6

defined by Wine Australia, single tracts of land, comprising of at least five independently owned vineyards of at least five hectares apiece, with a minimum output of 500 tons of wine grapes annually.

Question 7

Australian vintages suffered by drought

Answer 7

2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009

Question 8

What are “flying winemakers”?

Answer 8

A term that originated in Australia for the winemakers that spread their techniques such as utilization of modern techniques of canopy management and soil mapping around the globe.

Question 9

What is Langton’s Classification?

Answer 9

Langhton’s Classiciation of Australian Wine
-a listing of fine Australian wines compiled by Langton’s (auction house and online merchant).
—ranking of the best-performing Australian wines based on secondary market support over a minimum of 10 vintages.
—First published in 1991.
—Divided into three categories - Exceptional, Outstanding and Excellent
—new editions have appeared approx every 5 yrs. 6th edition published in May 2014 and includes 139 of Australia’s finest wines. Editions are identified by Roman numerals.

Question 10

Name wines of Langtons’s Classification of Australian Wine

Answer 10

—Penfolds Bin 95 Grange Shiraz, South Australia; included since 1991 (I)
—Bass Phillip Reserve Pinot Noir, South Gippsland, Victoria; included since 2005 (IV)
—Brokenwood Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz, Hunter Valley, New South Wales; included since 2010 (V)
—Chris Ringland Dry Grown Barossa Ranges Shiraz, Barossa Valley, South Australia; included since 2010 (V)
—Clarendon Hills Astralis Syrah, McLaren Vale, South Australia; included since 2010 (V)
—Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier, Canberra District, New South Wales; included since 2010 (V)
—Cullen Wines Diana Madeline Cabernet Merlot, Margaret River, Western Australia; included since 2005 (IV)
—Giaconda Chardonnay, Beechworth, Victoria; included since 2005 (IV)
—Grosset Wines Polish Hill Riesling, Clare Valley, South Australia; included since 2010 (V)
—Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz, Eden Valley, South Australia; included since 1996 (II)
—Henschke Mount Edelstone Shiraz, Eden Valley, South Australia; included since 2014 (VI)
—Jim Barry Wines The Armagh Shiraz, Clare Valley, South Australia; included since 2014 (VI)
—Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay, Margaret River, Western Australia; included since 2000 (III)
—Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, Western Australia; included since 2000 (III)
—Mount Mary Vineyard Quintet Cabernet Blend, Yarra Valley, Victoria; included since 1996 (II)
—Penfolds Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia; included since 2000 (III)
—Rockford Wines Basket Press Shiraz, Barossa Valley, South Australia; included since 2005 (IV)
—Seppeltsfield 100 Year Old Para Vintage Tawny, Barossa Valley, South Australia; included since 2014 (VI)
—Torbreck RunRig Shiraz, Barossa Valley, South Australia; included since 2010 (V)
—Wendouree Shiraz, Clare Valley, South Australia; included since 2000 (III)
—Wynns Coonawarra Estate John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, South Australia; included since 2014 (VI)