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WSET Level 4 - D3 > Australia - Wine Regions > Flashcards

Australia - Wine Regions Flashcards

1
Q

South Eastern Australia Zone
What does it cover, why was it created, and what wines does it produce?

A
  • Comprises several zones (e.g., Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania)
  • Created to allow for blending grapes across the zone
  • Majority is inexpensive, high-volume
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2
Q

South Eastern Australia Zone
From what regions do most grapes come from?

A
  • The three largest areas in terms of production and area under vine
  • Riverland
  • Murray-Darling
  • Riverina
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3
Q

South Eastern Australia Zone
What is the climate and climatic influences in the Murray-Darling Basin?

A
  • Hot continental
  • Slight cooling influence from rivers
  • Ideal conditions for consistently producing high yields of healthy grapes
  • Low rainfall (down to 135mm)
  • Predominantly sandy soils
  • -> irrigation is essential
  • -> irrigation water from rivers, but droughts increased water prices and pushed some growers out of business
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4
Q

South Eastern Australia Zone
What are the most grown varieties, what is the typical profile, how are higher quality wines achieved?

A
  • Shiraz and Chardonnay
  • Typical profile
  • Ripe fruit
  • Low acidity
  • Medium body
  • High alcohol
  • Higher-quality wines
  • Through lower yields OR
  • Better suited varieties, like Petit Verdot, Viognier and Italian varieties such as Vermentino, Nero d’Avola and Montepulciano
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5
Q

South Eastern Australia Zone
What special type of wine comes from Riverina?

A
  • Sweet wines from botrytized Semillon
  • Mostly labeled with individual region’s name
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6
Q

South Australia - Barossa Zone
What is the reputation of the zone and in what two regions is it split?

A
  • One of the best-known wine-producing areas
  • Barossa Valley
  • Eden Valley
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7
Q

South Australia - Barossa Zone - Barossa Valley
How large is it?

A
  • 11,000 ha
  • One of Australia’s largest wine regions
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8
Q

South Australia - Barossa Zone - Barossa Valley
Where are the vineyards located and what are climatic influences?

A
  • Plain (at about 300m), protected by hills around it (e.g., Eden Valley and Adelaide Hills)
  • Warm climate with high diurnal range
  • Low rainfall (160 mm during growing season)
  • -> irrigation necessary
  • -> low disease pressure
  • Ideal conditions for the production of ripe, full-bodied red wines
  • Complex variety of soils
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9
Q

South Australia - Barossa Zone - Barossa Valley
What special plantings exist?

A
  • Low-yielding, dry-farmed bush vines
  • Some of the world’s oldest vines
  • Mostly Shiraz and Grenache
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10
Q

South Australia - Barossa Zone - Barossa Valley
What are the five most important varieties?

A
  • Shiraz
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Grenache
  • Chardonnay
  • Semillon
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11
Q

South Australia - Barossa Zone - Barossa Valley
Describe the typical style of Shiraz (plantings, intensity, aromas, body, tannins, alcohol, ageing, trend)

A
  • 2/3 of plantings
  • Pronounced intensity
  • Ripe (and often cooked or dried) black fruit aromas
  • Full body
  • High, soft tannins
  • High alcohol
  • Can age for a long time, developing spicy, leathery aromas
  • Trend towards fresher, more elegant and structured style
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12
Q

South Australia - Barossa Zone - Barossa Valley
How much is planted with white wines and what are the styles of Chardonnay and Semillon?

A
  • Roughly 10%
  • Warm climate Chardonnay: ripe tropical fruit, full body
  • Warm climate Semillon: lower acidity, more body, higher alcohol compared to Hunter Valley
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13
Q

South Australia - Barossa Zone - Barossa Valley
Name two significant producers

A
  • John Duval
  • Glaetzer Wines
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14
Q

South Australia - Barossa Zone - Eden Valley
Where are vineyards located and what are climatic influences?

A
  • East of the Barossa Valley
  • Hills with some gradient
  • Cooling influences from altitude (up to 600m)
  • Higher rainfall than in Barossa (230 mm during growing season)
  • Wind can affect flowering and ripening
  • Variety of soils with good water holding capacity
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15
Q

South Australia - Barossa Zone - Eden Valley
What is the ratio between black and white varieties? What is the most planted variety and its typical style? (aromas, sweetness, acidity, alcohol, ageing, quality, price)

A
  • Roughly 50/50 black and white
  • Riesling (> 1/3 of plantings)
  • Citrus and floral aromas
  • Dry
  • High acidity
  • Medium alcohol
  • Best wines develop honey, nuttiness and toast over time (often aged prior to release)
  • Good to outstanding quality
  • Mid- to premium priced
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16
Q

South Australia - Barossa Zone - Eden Valley
What is the most planted black variety? How does the style compare to Barossa Valley? (aromas, acidity, tannin, alcohol)

A
  • Shiraz is the most planted black variety
  • Compared to Barossa:
  • Aromas, between very ripe (Barossa) and peppery from cool climates
  • Higher acidity
  • More structured tannins
  • Lower alcohol
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17
Q

South Australia - Barossa Zone - Eden Valley
Name two significant producers

A
  • Henschke
  • Pewsey Vale
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18
Q

South Australia - Mount Lofty Ranges Zone
What is it and what two important regions does it include?

A
  • Range of mountains surrounding Barossa Valley
  • Adelaide Hills
  • Clare Valley
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19
Q

South Australia - Mount Lofty Ranges Zone - Adelaide Hills
Where are vineyards located, what is the climate and the climatic influences?

A
  • Valleys and steep hillsides (mechanization often limited)
  • Variety of aspects, topography, and soils
  • Cool to moderate climate, varying with altitude (400-500m) and proximity to ocean
  • High diurnal range in cooler sites to retain acidity
  • Relatively low latitude -> intense sunlight -> riper fruit flavors
  • Site selection is important: depending on the site, it can produce full-bodied red wines or cool climate varieties
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20
Q

South Australia - Mount Lofty Ranges Zone - Adelaide Hills
Comment on rainfall and the resulting effect on grape growing

A
  • Maritime climate
  • Relatively high rainfall (300mm during growing season)
  • -> collected in dams for irrigation
  • -> can disrupt fruit set
  • -> fungal diseases and rot
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21
Q

South Australia - Mount Lofty Ranges Zone - Adelaide Hills
What are the four most planted varieties?

A
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Chardonnay
  • Pinot Noir
  • Shiraz
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22
Q

South Australia - Mount Lofty Ranges Zone - Adelaide Hills
Describe the typical style of Sauvignon Blanc (aromas, acidity, alcohol, quality, price)

A
  • Intense ripe fruit
  • High acidity
  • Medium alcohol
  • Good to very good quality
  • Mid-priced
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23
Q

South Australia - Mount Lofty Ranges Zone - Adelaide Hills
Describe the typical style of Chardonnay (types of wine, aromas, acidity, body, quality, price)

A
  • Still and sparkling wines
  • Ripe stone fruit flavors
  • Medium(+) to high acidity
  • Medium body
  • Malolactic conversion, oak maturation and lees ageing are commonly practiced
  • Very good to outstanding quality
  • Mid- to premium priced
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24
Q

South Australia - Mount Lofty Ranges Zone - Adelaide Hills
Describe the typical style of Pinot Noir (types of wine, aromas, acidity, body, tannins, alcohol, quality, price)

A
  • Significant amounts for sparkling wine
  • Still wines:
  • Red fruit
  • Medium(+) acidity
  • Medium body
  • Firmer tannins than from Victoria
  • Medium alcohol
  • Good to very good quality
  • Mid- to premium prices
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25
Q

South Australia - Mount Lofty Ranges Zone - Adelaide Hills
Name two significant producers

A
  • Shaw + Smith
  • Penfolds
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26
Q

South Australia - Mount Lofty Ranges Zone - Clare Valley
Where is it located, what is the climate and climatic influences and where are white and black varieties grown?

A
  • North of Adelaide
  • Warm climate, moderated by afternoon breezes and cold nights
  • High diurnal range -> slow ripening and retained acidity
  • Altitude of 300-500m
  • Variety of microclimates:
  • White grapes at higher altitudes and more exposed slopes
  • Black varieties on lower, warmer sites
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27
Q

South Australia - Mount Lofty Ranges Zone - Clare Valley
What is the rainfall and its effect on grape growing?

A
  • Low rainfall (250mm during growing season)
  • Dams to retain irrigation water
  • Some producers dry-farm for premium wines
  • Low risk of fungal diseases
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28
Q

South Australia - Mount Lofty Ranges Zone - Clare Valley
What is the ratio between black and white varieties and what are the most planted varieties?

A
  • 50/50 black and white
  • Riesling
  • Shiraz
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
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29
Q

South Australia - Mount Lofty Ranges Zone - Clare Valley
What can be a problem in the vineyard?
Describe the typical style of Riesling (% plantings, aromas, sweetness, acidity, quality, price)

A
  • > 35% of plantings
  • Sunburn is an issue due to the intense sunlight from low latitude (canopy to provide shade)
  • Lime aromas
  • Dry
  • High acidity
  • Good to outstanding quality
  • Mid- to premium priced
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30
Q

South Australia - Mount Lofty Ranges Zone - Clare Valley
In what way does Riesling highlight the different soil types in Clare Valley?

A
  • Slate soils of Polish Hill:
  • Low in fertility
  • Less aromatic, flintier styles of Riesling
  • Neutral in youth, but develop honey and toasty notes in bottle
  • Limestone soils of Watervale:
  • More fertile
  • More aromatic, floral style
  • Can be drunk when younger
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31
Q

South Australia - Mount Lofty Ranges Zone - Clare Valley
Name two significant producers

A
  • Jim Barry
  • Wendouree
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32
Q

South Australia - Mount Lofty Ranges Zone - Clare Valley
Describe the typical style of red wine (varieties, intensity, aromas, acidity, tannins, quality, price)

A
  • Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Pronounced intensity
  • Ripe black fruit with distinctive minty or eucalyptus characteristic
  • Medium to medium(+) acidity
  • Medium to medium(+) tannins
  • Good to outstanding quality
  • Mid- to premium priced (some super-premium)
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33
Q

South Australia - Fleurieu Zone - McLaren Vale
What is the climate, climatic influences and rainfall?

A
  • Warm to hot summers
  • Wind from ocean and Adelaide Hills
  • Range of microclimates depending on
  • Proximity to ocean
  • Altitude (0-350m)
  • Soil (poorer in the north, more fertile in the south)
  • Low rainfall levels (< 200mm) during growing season
  • -> low disease risk
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34
Q

South Australia - Fleurieu Zone - McLaren Vale
What is the ratio between black and white varieties, what styles are produced and what are the most planted varieties?

A
  • > 90% of plantings are black grapes
  • Full range of styles:
  • Inexpensive, high volume to super-premium priced
  • Single-varietal and blends
  • Most planted varieties:
  • Shiraz (>50% of plantings)
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Grenache
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35
Q

South Australia - Fleurieu Zone - McLaren Vale
Describe the general style of red wines (color, intensity, aromas, body, alcohol) and what is the difference between wines from lower and higher sites?

A
  • Deep color
  • Pronounced intensity
  • Dark fruit flavors, often with spices from oak
  • Full body
  • High alcohol
  • Lower sites: cooked or jammy fruit
  • Higher sites: higher acidity and tannins
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36
Q

South Australia - Fleurieu Zone - McLaren Vale
What special plantings can be found? Describe the typical style of Grenache (aromas, acidity, body, tannins, oak, price)

A
  • Old, dry-farmed bush vines from Shiraz and Grenache
  • Grenache produces wines with
  • Fresh red fruit and spice or herbal notes
  • Medium acidity
  • Medium to medium(+) body
  • Medium tannins
  • Old oak (if used at all)
  • Premium price
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37
Q

South Australia - Fleurieu Zone - McLaren Vale
How does the majority of vineyards look like? How is harvest conducted?

A
  • Mostly large, mechanized vineyards
  • Many quality-minded smaller producers work with lower yields and pick by hand
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38
Q

South Australia - Fleurieu Zone - McLaren Vale
Is organic and biodynamic viticulture practiced?

A
  • Low disease pressure
  • Ideal for organic and biodynamic viticulture
  • Own sustainability program: irrigation almost entirely from sustainable resources (e.g., dams, boreholes and recycled wastewater)
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39
Q

South Australia - Fleurieu Zone - McLaren Vale
Name three significant producers

A
  • Hardys
  • Mollydooker
  • Yangarra
40
Q

South Australia - Limestone Coast Zone - Coonawarra
What is the climate, climatic influences, and resulting hazards?

A
  • Moderate maritime climate
  • Very similar to Bordeaux, but slightly warmer and drier in the growing season
  • Relatively low rainfall (260mm) during the growing season
  • -> irrigation is widely used
  • Wind and rain can affect flowering and fruit set
  • Spring frost is also an issue -> sprinklers
41
Q

South Australia - Limestone Coast Zone - Coonawarra
What special soil exist and what influence does it have on grape growing?

A
  • Famous terra rossa, or red soil
  • Free-draining, iron-rich loam over a hard limestone base
  • -> roots may struggle to penetrate deep -> restricting access to water and nutrients
  • -> Lower vigor and yields -> concentrated grapes
  • Narrow strip of terra rossa in the central core of the region -> high prices
42
Q

South Australia - Limestone Coast Zone - Coonawarra
What type of wine is Coonawarra known for? (variety, aromas, body, tannin, alcohol, oak)

A
  • Known for producing some of Australia’s finest red wines
  • Cabernet Sauvignon (>50% plantings)
  • Concentrated aromas of dark fruit (cassis to plum), with mint and eucalyptus, spice from oak
  • Medium to full body
  • High, firm tannins
  • Medium alcohol
43
Q

South Australia - Limestone Coast Zone - Coonawarra
What other varieties besides Cabernet Sauvignon are successfully grown?

A
  • Shiraz: lighter-bodied than Barossa Shiraz, but still with concentrated blackberry and herbal, minty notes
  • White grape varieties make up only 13% of plantings
  • Good and very-good quality Chardonnay, with ripe fruit
  • Riesling: fruitier and lower acidity than from elsewhere in South Australia
44
Q

South Australia - Limestone Coast Zone - Coonawarra
What is a problem in the vineyard?

A
  • Isolated region, so labor can be a major problem
  • Nowadays, immigrant labor is used for green harvesting and leaf removal, and hand harvesting of grapes
45
Q

South Australia - Limestone Coast Zone - Coonawarra
Name two significant producers

A
  • Wynns
  • Katnook
46
Q

Victoria
Comment on Phylloxera

A
  • Still a threat
  • Yarra Vallley is classified as infested zone
  • Mornington Peninsula is “at risk”
  • -> all new vineyards are planted on resistant rootstocks
  • -> some are replanted, giving opportunity to think of the best suited varieties
47
Q

Victoria - Port Phillip Zone - Yarra Valley
What is the area under vine?

48
Q

Victoria - Port Phillip Zone - Yarra Valley
What is the climate and climatic influences?

A
  • Cool to moderate climate
  • Variation due to altitude: 50-350m
  • Upper Yarra Valley: cooler, higher altitude
  • Lower Yarra Valley: warmer, lower altitude
  • Gentle slopes, providing a range of different microclimates
49
Q

Victoria - Port Phillip Zone - Yarra Valley
What is the rainfall, what are hazards and what is the soil?

A
  • High rainfall (over 1,100mm)
  • -> high humidity and risk of fungal disease
  • Frost can be a problem in the valley floor
  • Soil in Lower Yarra: loamy clay with low fertility and good drainage -> often irrigation necessary
  • Soil Upper Yarra: deeper and more fertile volcanic soils which can be dry-farmed
50
Q

Victoria - Port Phillip Zone - Yarra Valley
How much of plantings are black and what is the most planted black variety? (distinction between cooler and warmer areas in aromas and body, quality, price)

A
  • 60% are black varieties
  • Pinot Noir (>30%)
  • Cooler areas:
  • Perfumed fruity aromas (often whole bunch fermentation)
  • Light body
  • Warmer areas:
  • Riper fruit
  • Medium body
  • Good to outstanding quality
  • Mid- to premium priced
51
Q

Victoria - Port Phillip Zone - Yarra Valley
What is the most planted white variety? Describe the typical style (aromas, acidity, oak, lees, malo, quality, price)

A
  • Chardonnay (>25%)
  • White peach, grapefruit and melon
  • High acidity
  • Oak (trend towards larger oak vessels)
  • Lees contact to enhance texture
  • Malo is still often avoided
  • Good to outstanding quality
  • Mid- to premium priced
52
Q

Victoria - Port Phillip Zone - Yarra Valley
What two other varieties are grown and where? Describe the typical style (aromas, body)

A
  • Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon in the lower, warmer parts
  • Shiraz
  • Fresh blackberry, raspberry and plum fruit and spicy notes (often whole bunch fermentation)
  • Medium body
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Distinct herbal notes
  • Medium body
53
Q

Victoria - Port Phillip Zone - Yarra Valley
Name two significant producers

A
  • Mount Mary
  • Yarra Yering
54
Q

Victoria - Port Phillip Zone - Mornington Peninsula
What is the climate and climatic influence and their effect on grape growing?

A
  • Narrow peninsula
  • Cool to moderate maritime climate
  • Moderating effect of the water extends the growing season
  • Cooling effect of the wind -> low frost risk and reduced disease risk, but can affect flowering
  • Lower rainfall than in Yarra, but still a lot of rain (350mm during the growing season) -> threat at flowering and harvest time
55
Q

Victoria - Port Phillip Zone - Mornington Peninsula
Where are vineyards located and what is the soil?

A
  • Red Hill (ridge along the center) up to 250m
  • Red basalt soils retain winter rainwater throughout the growing season -> no need to irrigate
  • Fertile, so vigor is a problem -> careful vineyard management is required
  • Otherwise, relatively flat
  • with free-draining clay and sand -> irrigation is often needed
56
Q

Victoria - Port Phillip Zone - Mornington Peninsula
What is the most planted variety? Describe the resulting two styles of wines (aromas, acidity, body, tannins, techniques, quality, price)

A
  • Pinot Noir (>50% of plantings)
  • Perfumed red fruits (particularly those from Red Hill)
  • Medium(+) acidity
  • Light body
  • More intense and ripe (usually from the lower vineyards)
  • Higher tannins
  • Depending on style: cold soaking (color), whole bunch fermentation (complexity), stem inclusion (tannins)
  • Often aged in French oak (a portion new)
  • Good to outstanding quality
  • Premium priced
57
Q

Victoria - Port Phillip Zone - Mornington Peninsula
What is the second most planted variety? Describe the typical style (aromas, acidity, body, alcohol, techniques, quality, price)

A
  • Chardonnay (>30% of plantings)
  • Citrus, peach and melon
  • High acidity
  • Medium body
  • Medium alcohol
  • Techniques: often lees and oak ageing, some use malo
  • Good to outstanding quality
  • Premium priced
58
Q

Victoria - Port Phillip Zone - Mornington Peninsula
How is the production landscape? Name two significant producers

A
  • Dominated by small wineries and vineyards
  • Yabby Lake
  • Paringa
59
Q

Victoria - Port Phillip Zone - Geelong
What is the climate and climatic influences?

A
  • Cool climate
  • Moderating influence from the ocean
  • Lower rainfall than in Yarra Valley (500-600mm)
  • Strong winds reduce humidity and risk of fungal diseases
60
Q

Victoria - Port Phillip Zone - Geelong
What are the main varieties planted, where are they planted, and what is the typical quality and price?

A
  • Cool sites: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
  • Warmer sites: Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Good to very good quality
  • Mid- to premium priced
61
Q

Victoria - Port Phillip Zone - Macedon Ranges
Where are vineyards located and what are climatic influences?

A
  • One of the coolest climates in mainland Australia
  • Altitudes of 300-800m
  • -> Careful site selection to reduce frost risk and enhance ripening
62
Q

Victoria - Port Phillip Zone - Macedon Ranges
What is the region known for and what varieties are planted?

A
  • Small quality-focused wineries
  • Chardonnay (Still/Sparkling)
  • Pinot Noir (Still/Sparkling)
  • Riesling (lime, lemon)
  • Shiraz (black pepper and in warmer parts)
63
Q

Victoria - Western Victoria Zone - Grampians
What is the climate and climatic influences?

A
  • Moderate climate, moderated by altitude
  • Altitude of 240-440m
  • -> high diurnal range
  • -> low frost risk due to slopes
  • Low rainfall (250mm) during the growing season
  • Soils: sandy, loamy -> retain water well (no irrigation needed)
64
Q

Victoria - Western Victoria Zone - Pyrenees
How does the climate compare to Grampians?

A
  • NO mountains
  • Gentle slopes
  • Warmer than Grampians
65
Q

Victoria - Western Victoria Zone - Grampians & Pyrenees
What is the best known variety? Describe the typical style (aromas, body, quality, price)

A
  • Shiraz
  • Fresh red fruit (cooler parts - Grampians), more intense and concentrated black fruits (lower, warmer parts Pyrenees)
  • Peppery and spicy notes
  • Medium body
  • Good to very good quality
  • Mid-priced (some premium)
66
Q

Victoria - Western Victoria Zone - Henty
What is the climate, climatic influences and main variety?

A
  • One of the coldest mainland regions -> cold Antarctic winds
  • High number of sunshine hours
  • Altitude between 0 to 460m
  • Riesling (lemon aromas)
  • Also the known other varieties
67
Q

Victoria - North East Victoria Zone - King Valley
Where are vineyards located and what are climatic influences?

A
  • 250-860m (amongst the highest in Australia)
  • Highest points -> Very cool temps and high rainfall
  • Going down the valley -> temps rise considerably
  • Well draining soil with high fertility -> vigor needs to be managed
68
Q

Victoria - North East Victoria Zone - King Valley
Comment on grape varieties and general quality and price levels

A
  • Italian immigrants influenced the area
  • Glera (sparkling wine)
  • Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio style)
  • Sangiovese, Barbera, Nebbiolo (most interest)
  • Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon (most planted)
  • Good to very good quality
  • Mid- to premium priced
69
Q

Victoria - North East Victoria Zone - King Valley
Name two significant producers

A
  • Pizzini
  • de Bortoli
70
Q

Victoria - North East Victoria Zone - Beechworth
Where are vineyards located and what are the most important varieties?

A
  • 200-1,000m in altitude -> wide range of climates
  • Medium-bodied Chardonnay and Shiraz
  • Additionally: Pinot noir, Sangiovese and Nebbiolo
71
Q

Victoria - Central Victoria Zone
What regions does it include?

A
  • Warm, flat plains -> full-bodied reds
  • Goulburn Valley (additionally Viognier, Rousanne, Marsanne)
  • Bendigo
  • Foothills of Great Dividing Range
  • Upper Goulburn (Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc)
72
Q

Victoria - Central Victoria Zone - Heathcote
Describe the climate and climatic influences

A
  • Altitudes between 160-320m
  • Warm summer temps moderated by altitude and wind
  • Diurnal range retains acidity
  • Enough rainfall (250mm) during the growing season
  • Soil: calcareous red soil that retains water well -> dry farming is common
73
Q

Victoria - Central Victoria Zone - Heathcote
Describe the typical style of wine (variety, intensity, aromas, acidity, body, alcohol, quality, price)

A
  • Shiraz (50% of plantings)
  • Pronounced intensity
  • Ripe dark fruit and sweet spices
  • Medium(+) acidity
  • Full body
  • High alcohol
  • Good to outstanding quality
  • Mid- to premium priced
74
Q

Victoria - Central Victoria Zone - Heathcote
Name two significant producers

A
  • Jasper Hill
  • Heathcote Estate
75
Q

New South Wales - Hunter Valley Zone
Where is the area and are vineyards located? What is the climate and climatic influences?

A
  • Latitude of 32-33°S -> almost tropical climate
  • Low altitude
  • Intense sunlight and hot day-time temperatures
  • Cool nights
  • Very humid with 500mm rainfall in the growing season
  • -> fungal diseases
  • -> no irrigation required
  • Lower Hunter (closer to the coast): see breezes
  • Upper Hunter: warmer
  • Soils: sandy loams to clay loams
  • Eastern side of the Great Dividing Range -> Tropical storms can be a problem -> often early harvesting to avoid them
76
Q

New South Wales - Hunter Valley Zone
What is the region famous for? (variety, aromas, sweetness, acidity, body, alcohol, ageing, quality, price)

A
  • Hunter Valley Semillon
  • Delicate citrus and fairly neutral in their youth
  • Dry
  • High acidity
  • Light body
  • Low alcohol
  • Develop toast, honey and hay with bottle ageing
  • Good to outstanding quality
  • Mid- to premium priced
77
Q

New South Wales - Hunter Valley Zone
How is the famous Hunter Valley Semillon made?

A
  • Grapes are picked early
  • Gentle pressing and NO skin contact
  • Fermentation at moderate temps in stainless steel
  • Bottled soon after
78
Q

New South Wales - Hunter Valley Zone
Name two significant producers

A
  • Tyrrell’s
  • Mount Pleasant
79
Q

New South Wales - Hunter Valley Zone
What other varieties are successfully grown? Describe their rough styles

A
  • Chardonnay
  • Range from Medium body and higher acidity to riper, full-bodied, with lower acidity (both oaked and unoaked)
  • Shiraz
  • Red and black fruits and spicy notes
  • Medium body
  • Medium to high alcohol
80
Q

New South Wales - Central Ranges Zone
Where is it located, what is the climate, what regions are included, and what varieties are planted?

A
  • Along the western, inland side of the Great Dividing Range
  • Continental climate with cooling influence from altitude (up to 900m)
  • Orange, Mudgee, Cowra
  • Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay
81
Q

New South Wales - Southern New South Wales Zone
What is the climate, what regions are included, and what varieties are planted?

A
  • Continental climate with cooling influence from altitude (up to 850m)
  • Canberra District, Hilltops, Tumbarumba
  • Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Riesling
82
Q

Tasmania
How large is it and what is it known for?

A
  • > 1% of total production
  • Well known for sparkling wines (1/3)
  • Key producer of premium still wines
83
Q

Tasmania
What is the climate and climatic influences? What is the difference between regions in the south-east and nort-west?

A
  • Cool maritime climate (41-43°S)
  • Westerly winds that bring high rainfall
  • Spring frost -> fans or sprinklers
  • South-East
  • Drier and less humid
  • Long hours of sunshine, but very cool
  • Site selection is important to ensure ripening
  • -> north facing slopes
  • North-West
  • Higher rainfall -> fungal diseases
84
Q

Tasmania
What are the top regions and what do they have in common?

A
  • Coal River Valley, Tamar Valley, and Piper’s River
  • -> all sheltered by mountains from winds and rain
85
Q

Tasmania
What is the most grown black variety? What is it used for and what is the typical style? (aromas, acidity, body, alcohol, oak)

A
  • Pinot Noir (42%)
  • Sparkling and still wines
  • Strawberry and cherry
  • Medium(+) to high acidity
  • Light to medium body
  • Medium alcohol
  • Matured in oak
86
Q

Tasmania
What is the most grown white variety? What is it used for and what is the typical style? (aromas, acidity, body, alcohol, malo, fermentation, oak)

A
  • Chardonnay (28%)
  • Sparkling and still wines
  • Apple, white peach and pear
  • High acidity
  • Medium body
  • Medium alcohol
  • Malo often conducted to soften acidity
  • Almost always barrel fermentation
  • Matured in oak
87
Q

Tasmania
What other varieties are planted and what are significant producers?

A
  • Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz
  • Tolpuddle and Tamar Ridge
88
Q

Western Australia
What is the general climate and what is the focus?

A
  • Mostly too hot for viticulture
  • Swan Valley (north): extremely ripe grapes for inexpensive and fortified wines
  • South West Australia: small-scale premium wine production
89
Q

South West Australia Zone - Margret River
Where is it located, what is the climate and climatic influences?

A
  • Latitude of 34°S moderated by oceans
  • Warm night time temps due to warm Indian ocean
  • -> ripe fruit, no frost problems
  • Relatively flat (40-90m) - gentle hills and valleys
  • Generally high rainfall (> 1,000mm), but only 275mm in the growing season
  • Free-draining, low-fertility gravelly soils
  • -> irrigation is essential (water from dams)
90
Q

South West Australia Zone - Margret River
How large is it, what is the main variety and its style? (aromas, acidity, body, tannins, oak, quality, price)

A
  • 5,700 ha
  • Cabernet Sauvignon (> 20%), often blended with Merlot
  • Blackberry, blackcurrant and spice
  • Medium(+) acidity
  • Medium(+) to full body
  • High, ripe tannins
  • Bordeaux-Style French oak (some new)
  • Good to outstanding quality
  • Mid- to super-premium price
91
Q

South West Australia Zone - Margret River
What are the most grown white varieties? What is the premium variety and what is its typical style? (aromas, acidity, body, malo, oak, lees, quality, price)

A
  • Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Semillon (roughly 20% each)
  • Chardonnay as premium white wine
  • Concentrated stone fruit aromas
  • High acidity
  • Medium(+) to full body
  • Malo often blocked (sometimes to reduce acidity)
  • Range of styles, often barrel fermentation and maturation
  • Often lees contact
  • Good to outstanding quality
  • Mid- to premium priced
92
Q

South West Australia Zone - Margret River
What wines are made from the other two white varieties? (aromas, acidity, vessel, quality, price)

A
  • Sauvignon Blanc mostly blended with Semillon
  • Grassy, herbaceous and gooseberry to tropical fruit
  • High acidity
  • Mostly stainless steel, premium wines fermented in barrel
  • Good to very good quality
  • Mid-priced
93
Q

South West Australia Zone - Margret River
Name two significant producers

A
  • Leeuwin
  • Moss Wood
94
Q

South West Australia Zone - Great Southern
What are the climates in the respective regions? What effect does it have on irrigation practices?

A
  • Maritime climate: Albany and Denmark
  • Influence of altitude (up to 300m): Mount Barker, Porongurup
  • Continental climate (high diurnal range): Frankland River
  • Adequate rainfall levels, so no irrigation needed, except in Frankland River
95
Q

South West Australia Zone - Great Southern
What is the most planted grape variety and in what regions is it mainly planted? Describe the typical style and name a significant producer (aromas, acidity, body, tannins, quality, price)

A
  • Shiraz (30% of plantings)
  • Mainly in warmer Mount Barker and Frankland River
  • Fresh blackberry or cherry, alongside herbal, peppery and spicy notes
  • High acidity
  • Medium to full body
  • High tannins
  • Some use whole bunches to enhance fruit and floral aromas
  • Good to outstanding quality
  • Mid- to premium priced
  • Producer: Howard Park
96
Q

South West Australia Zone - Great Southern
What other varieties are planted and where?

A
  • Cabernet Sauvignon (concentreated from Mount Barker, Denmark, and more elegant from Porongurup)
  • Riesling (flagship white variety) (Porongurup as leading sub-region with good to outstanding examples)
  • Sauvignon Blanc (highly aromatic (green, herbaceous and gooseberry) from Albany and Denmark)
  • Chardonnay (often with barrel fermentation/maturation and lees contact)

WSET Level 4 - D3 (56 decks)

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