Australia : Wine Regions and Regulations Flashcards
Australia : Zones
- GI’s ccreated in 1990
-Zones are the largest areas - no rules re the boundaries or geo or climatic characteristics
-Zones can cover an entire state
-eg. of ssmaller zones Barossa, Mount Lofty Ranges and Fleurieu - part of the ‘super’ zone of Adelaide
Australia: Regions
-these are smaller zones
-65 registered eg. Coonawarra, Clare Valley and Margaret River , Tasmania !
-Regions vary in size must have distinct characterisitcs
–must produce 500 tonnes of grapes per year across min. 5 differently owened vineyards of min. 5 HA
Australia: Sub-Regions
- eg. Hunter Valley and Great Southern - recongnise particular climates, topgraphy or soils
-only 14 registered
Australia: Label Laws
- wines made and grown in Ede Valley Region could be labelled as Eden Valley, Barossa,Adelaide, South Australia or SE Australia - this usually refelcts multi regional blends
-LIP is the Label Integrity Programme est. 1990
-If a GI , vintage or grape variety is mentioned it must be 85%
-If multiple varities are mentioned they must be listed in order of how much they contribute
-Growers, producers and suppliers are required to keep documents and detalied records , audited byt the Australia Grape and Wine Authority ( Wine Australia)
- no further rules
Austrlia: SE Australia Zone
- covers all of Victoria, NSW, Tasmania and SE corner of SA and Queensland
-wines are allowed to include grapes blended from across the entire region
-inexpensive and high volume wines
-most come from the Murray Darling Basin ( one million km )
-3 main areas:
Riverland
Murray River /Murray-Darling
Riverina
-largest areas under vine/ production
Hot, continental with some coling from the rivers
Inland 200kms - some maritime as no mountains block the ocean influence
In the rain shadow of the Great Diving Ranges - rain as low as 135mm
SOILS- sandy
Irrigation is essential - water comes from the rivers -
**falling grape prices, water stress = some businesses have gone bankrupt
Main grapes: Shiraz and Chardonnay
Wines are medium body, high in alcohol, low in acidity and ripe fruit flavours
Area around Griffith in Riverina has a long est reputation for botyritised Semillon ( ideal for noble rot)
Some high quality producers , lower yields planting Vermentino, Nero d’avola and Montepulciano - these are labelled with the regions name rather than SE Australia
eg. Casella - Yellow Tail - Riverina
De Bertoli - Rivernina
Lindemans ( Treasury Wines ) - Murray Darling
Australia: SA
- largest state by volume , producing the 50% of the total harvest frit
-most vineyards must be planted in the SE corner neart the coast
-Variable climate between Clare Valley and Barossa - The South Australia Zone has 8 regions - best know Barossa, Mount Lofty Ranges, Flerieu, Limestone Coast . The lower Murray Zone contains the Riverland region
eg. Penfolds
Australia: Barossa Zone
- north of Adelaide
-Barossa Valley - mainly flat valley floor
Eden Valley in the hills to the East
-Shiraz is dominant
-Many producers blend between the warmer Barossa and the cooler, elegant Eden Valley
Australia: Barossa Valley
- 60 km from Adelaide
-plain protected by low hills in the West, the Eden Valley in the East and the Mount Lofty Ranges in the South - 11,000HA
- Warm climate, hot sunny day snad cooler nights
Rainfall -160mm avg - Irrigation is essential but aslo disease pressure is low
Avg 250-370m = ripe, full bodided reds
SOILS - In the North - Ironstone known for its water retaining properties - some of the most age worthy wines
HIstory: Vines were plantes in 1840 and without phylloxera , has some of the oldest vines in the world
( Shiraz and Grnache)
Low yielding, dry farmed bush vines make outstanding ,complex wines
Barossa Old Vine Charter records, preserve and promotes the old vines that can appear on labels
1980’s - vine pull sheme took many of the old vines
**Shiraz is 60% of production
**Th wines are full bodied , high in alcohol, with high levels of soft tannins and pronounced ripe ( dried, or cooked) black fruit
Many aged in American oak
Now, many moving to Frnech and picking earlier for fresher , more sturctured styles which develop for years in bottle
Cabernet Sauvignon is second - full ripe styles with softer tannins and higher alchol
Only 9% white grapes - Chardonnay
Wines are full bodied with riper, trpoical pineapple
Fermented in French Oak eg. John Duval and Glaetzer Wine
Australia: Eden Valley
- rolling ,exposed hills
-part of the Mount Lofty Ranges
-can be steep, and require hand picking
-evg. 600m = cooler climate
-High sites are exposed to wind
Rainfall is avg. 230mm
SOILS - good water holding
- lots of dry farming
-known for old vine plantings of Shiraz and Riesling but also Grenache
Equal amounts of White and Red -
Rielsing is the most planted
Wines are dry, high acid and medium alchol
-most are fermented in SS to preserve citrus, lemon and lime and floral aromas
Develop into honey, nutty and toast
Good to outstanding and mid -prem priced
Australia
: Mount Lofty Ranges : Adelaide Hills
- oldest wine producing area
-early settlers foudn its cool climate challengin and by 30’s most vines were removed
-moved to the warmer north end in the 70’s
-25 km east of the state capital Adelaide
- valleys, steep hills and manual labour is common
-Moderate, Mediterranean climate
- 400-500m with close ocean proximity
-Low- altitude, West Facing slopes in the north are warm enough to produce full bodied red wines - sunloight is intense and can show riper fruit
-higher areas, are better for early ripening SB, Chardonanny, and Pinot Noir = high diuranl range helps retain acid
Rainfall - 280-320mm during the growing season but most occur in the winter and spring and collected in dams
-Fungal disease and rot is a concern
spray is needed
4000HA -
**SB makes up 32% of the 60% of white grapes
Wines are intense with ripe fruit instead of herbaceuos , high acid and medium abv
Good to very good **
Also Chardonnay for sparkling and still
Wines are Medium to high acid, medium body, with ripe stone fruit due to intense sunlight
MLFC and Oak are common
Very good to outstanding and mid to prem priced
Pinot Noir is most planted red -
Wines are Medium plus acid, Medium body, Medium abv, and red fruit
Delicate and floral with spicy, firmer tannins
Shiraz - from the cooler parts is medium bodied with med-high abv and high levels of fine tannins and spicy , peppery notes,
Warmer areas are full, frutier style
eg. Shaw and Smith , Penfolds
Two sub-regions : Piccadilly Valley and Lenswood
Australia: Clare Valley
-125lm North of Adelaide
-Northernmost part of the Mount Lofty Ranges
-Climate is warm, with hot sunny days and cool breezes, cold nights
Wide diuranl range to help retain acidity
- 300-500m
Rainfall 250mm
Dams collect rainwater for irrigation
Low humidity = low disease pressure
Shallow valleys in ridges and hills
-Wide range of climates
-White grapes are grown on high , exposed slopes
Many small , family owned vineyards
5,000ha -
72% Black grapes - Shiraz , Cabernet are principal
Wines are Med-Med+ Acid and Tannins, Pronoiunced black fruit with minty or eucalyptus
Good to outstanding and mid -prem priced ( some super prem )
Rielsling 26% -is th most planted white
Thick canopies protect the grapes from the sun
Wines are dry , with medium abv and trademark lime aromas - high Acid
SOILS - Slate soils in Polish Hills are low in fertility and are less aromatic and more flinty, neutral in youth with potential for long bottle ageing
Limestone in Watervale are more fertile and make a aromatic, floral style
Good to outstanding , mid to prem priced
eg. Jim Barry , Wendouree
Australia: McLaren Vale
FLEURIEU ZONE
-strong maritime, warm Mediterranean climate
-Suitable for producing high yields of ripe grapes
-Neighbour Region : Langhorne Creek is home to Jacobs Creek
30kms S of Adelaide a the Northern end of the Gulf St.Vincent to the west and the Adelaide Hills to the East
-winds blow u from the Gulf
Ranifall is 200mm - with wet winters
-diversity of microclimates
Sea level to 350m on flat or undulating land ( 250m avg)
SOILS - Sand to loam to clay -very diverse
SOils in the North regions are poor with low nutrients
South , deeper and more fertile
7,500HA -
Black grapes are 91%
Ranges from inexpensive to super-premium , single variet and blends
Shiraz is 59% , then Cabernet Sauv 19%
Wines are deep coloured, full bodied, with hhigh alcohol, pronounced dark fruit and spice from oak
hotter areas tend to be jammy - higher elevations have fresher acidity
Very old region - Tom Hardy in the 19th century est. and exported to the UK
Lots of old vines , dry grown, bush vines of Shiraz and Grenach ( around Blewitt Springs) where sandy soils and clay help with water retention
Old vine Grenache - Medium tannins,and acid, Med-Med plus body , fresh red fruit and spice or herbal with old oak to avoid overpowering
Premium priced - hand picked
Interest in Mediterranean varietes Mourvedre, Fiano and Sangoivese
Mostly dominated by plarge vineyards , machine harvested at night
Vigour is an issue on the fertile soils
Low disease pressure is ideal for organic and bio
‘Sustainable Winegrowing Australia’ was est. here to increase quality and awareness of enviro impacts - focus on water use - they use recycled water waste from Adelaide, boreholes and dams
eg. Hardys, Mollydooker, Yangarra
Australia: Coonawarra
- Bordeaux, Mediterranean but slightly warmer and drier
- 100km from the coast - areas are flat and cool breezes reach inland from the Southern Ocean
-Cloud cover/ cold nights is also a moderating factor
-Rainfall is 260mm - but with strong winds affecting flowering
-Spring frost is also an issue - sprinklers - Underground aquifiers help to irriagate
SOILS : Famous Terra Rossa - free draining rich soil loam , avg. 50cm in depth over hard limestone, resticting roots access to water = control vigour and concentration
Softer Limestone underlayer allows for retention of water that can be used for irrigation when required
Land is very expensive in the Terra Rossa region
-OTher soils are limestone and brown and black clay - able to retain more water and produce high volume wines
Some of the finest wines , Cabernet SAuv in Australia - 60% of the crush
Wines are medium to full bodied with medium abv, high ,firm tannis and concentrated dark fruit ( cassis to plum) and mint / eucalyptus
Spice and chocolate from oak
Also ,Shiraz - lighter bodied than Barossa - concentrated blackberry and herbal , minty notes
Chardonnay - 6% - ripe fruit from pear to pineapple
Region is isolated so manual labour can be an issue - more migrant labour is being used for annual work
eg. Wynns
Australia: Yarra Valley
- NE of Melbourne, samll and diverse region
- Cool to moderate climate
- 50-400m - Upper ( cooler, higher altitude) and Lower Yarra Valley ( warmer, flatter sites )
- Frost can be a hazard on the valley floor below the hills
- Ranifall 1,100mm - one of the wettest regions in Australia
- Hundiity= fungal disease
- SOILs: Lower Yarra - sand over loam to clay cloam , low in fertility and well drained - some irrigation needed
- Upper Yarra - deeper more volcanic soils that can be dry farmed
Pinot Noir - 37% - light to med body, whole bunch creates floral aromas and strawberry, cherry and plum ,
A mixture of new and old oak is used , more so 500L foudres.
Good to outstanding and mid to prem priced
Chard -29% - White peach, grapefruit and melon, Lean style, early picked using old oak and avoiding MLFC ,
Oftern have high acidity, and more fruit. Both new and old oak and a high degree of solids to give a wider range of flavours and aromas eg. smokey
and lees to enhance texture
Wines are Good to outstandning and mid -prem priced
Shiraz and Cabernet Sauv are grown in the lower valley and are medium bodied with distinct herbal qaulitties
eg. Mount Marra and Yarra Yering
Australia: Mornington Penninsula
- SE of Melbourne
- -narrow penninula with Port Philip Bay on one side and the Bass Strait on the other
- Cool-moderate maritime climate
- Windy, high sunshine hours
- moderating effect of the ocean gives mild autumn, extedning the growing season
- -FRost is very uncommon due to the wind / reduced disease . depsite the humidity
- Ranifall 320-390mm mostly in winter and spring - threat at flower and harvest time
- flat ( soils are free drainig clay and sand =dry ) except for **Red Hill , **a rdgie along the center with top end of 250m
- Soils are Red Basalt which retain water =no irrigation needed
- Fertile soils mean that vigour is a problem and use the Lyre System to manage vigour
Pinot Noir - 45% - Range of styles from light bodied with perfumed red fruit, med plus acid from Red Hill to more intense and ripe , higher tannins from lower areas
Cold soaking is used / whole bunch and stem for complexity. Aged in French oak , some new.
Good to outstanding and prem prices
Chardonnay 30% - Medium body with high acid, med abv, citurs, peach and melon. Some use lees and oka to add complexity. MLFC for rounder style
Good to outstanding with prem prices
Some Shiraz and Pnot Gris of high quality
**did not take off until the 70’s - land prices are very high - region is home to small wineries with cellar doors , restaurants and cafes
eg. Yabby Lake and Paringa
Australia: Geelong
- W of Melbourne and includes the Bellarine Penninsula
- First place to have Phyloxerra in Australia - from 1800’s it flourished and now only recovering 60’s
- Cool climate with Port Phillip and Bass Strait moderating
- Ranifall at 500-600mm , in winter and spring
- Strong SW Winds reduce humidity and fungal disease pressure
Pinot Noir 35% - Chardonnay - styles are riper and fuller bodied than Yarra
PN shows ripe red ad black cherry with medium soft tannins
Whole bunch is common
Chard - Med body, Med acid with peach and melon
Shiraz -26% - Medium body red/black fruit with spice and frim tannins
Good to very good and mid priced to to prem
eg. Paradise IV Waines and Wines by Farr
Australia: Macedon Ranges
NW of Melbourne - 215 ha
40 small quality focused producers
-Macedon ranges ( part of the Great Divining Ranges) are 300-800m
-one of the coolest regions in Mainland Aus - frost is an issue
SOILS - shallow, granitic sandy loam** on the hillsides
Deeper loam on the lower slopes
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for sparkling wines and elegant Rielsing with intense lemon / lime
Also Shiraz, with black pepper, needs warm site and sunny vintage
Australia: W Victoria Zone : Grampians and Pyrenees
**- Grampians ** - moderate climate -130km inland
240-440m - altitude moderates with a wide diurnal range
-planted on slopes to reduce frost risk
Rainfall is low 250mm - **sandy loam soils retain water but irriagation is needed
Soils are quite acidic and reduced vigour unless treated with lime **
Pyrenees - Gentle slpes, slightly lower, warmer - soils are the same as the Grampians
Both are know for Shiraz
The wines are med body, show pepper and spice , red fruits in cooler areas and concentrated black fruits in the warmer , lower areas
Good to very good and mid priced
eg. Mount Langi Ghiran and Dalwhinnie
Australia: Henty
-far SW corner
Coldest regions, influenced by Antartic winds - high sunshine hours aid ripening
SL to 460m -
Rielsing - high acid, with pronounced aroas of lemon and lime
Fresh flavours and moderate alcohol
Australia: King Valley
NE Vic Zone
- highest vineyards are at 860m, among the highest in Oz
- Moderated by the river and altitude
- SOIL - vary, but are generally free draninng loam with high fertility - vin vigour must be managed
- Equal blakc and white plantings - 1,500ha
- Settled by Italian after WW2
Sparkling Prosecoo - Glera make up 42% of the crush
Pinot Gris is the most planted for still wines - dry, light bodied style
Notable grapes are Sangiovese , Barbera and Nebbiolo
Good to very good and mid- prem priced
Export marekt is growing for alternative varieites and increasing awareness of the region but are hard to sell due to competition from Italy and price
eg. Pizzini and De Bertoli
Australia: Beechworth
- hills south of Rutherglen
- 200-1,000m - range of mesocliamtes
-** Chardonnay is med body, with med-high acidity and med abv
eg. Giaconda **
Also Medium bodied Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Sangioovese and Nebbiolo
Australia : Heathcote
Central Vic Zone - incl Bendigo
- known for Shiraz
- -1,860 ha - narrow strip aong the side of Mount Carmel Range
- 160-320m
- Summer day sare warm but cooled by breezes funneled by the slopes
- Diurnal range creaets the distinct Heathcote Shiraz
- Rainfall 250mm - frost is not an issue
- SOILS - calcerous, red soils and weathered greenstone - effective at retaining water , dry farming is common
85% black fruit - 60% Shiraz -
the wines are Med plus acidity , fulll body, high in abv, and promounced black fruit and cherry and plum and sweet spices
Good to outstanding
eg. Jasper Hill and Heathcote Estate
Australia: Gippland Zone
- largest zones in VIC
- Five regions :
- EAST , west, South Gippland
- vineyards and wineries are around 50 , small and family owned, spread acroos slopes and hills
- Wet weather from the north tropic and
-Rainfall 420-530 mm
**Chardonnay and PinotNoir are widely grown **
Also some Cab Sauv and Merlot
Australia: Hunter Valley Zone
- sub-tropical climate with hhigh temps, high humidity and rainfall falling throughout the year
- 200km N of Sydney
- Hunter is very old region - Lower and Upper Hunter
- 32-33 degrees N - almost tropical
- 30 degrees in summer and cool at night , continental cliamte
- Sunshin is intense but there is lots of afternoon cloud cover
- Lower Hunter is closer to the coast and gets the sea breeze - hills with SOILS from sandy loam to clay loam over clay base
Rainfall 500mm during the growing season / high humidity = fungal issue
Not irrigation is required
No protection from the Tropical storms - first to harvest / finish in Australia as early as the begining of January
White and black varieites are equal
Chardonnay, Semillon and Shiraz
Semillion - dry, light bodied, 10-11% abv, delicate citrus and fairly neutral in youth - decades of ageing complaec toast, honey and hay
Most are not released until 5 yrs.
Grapes are picked early. Must is gently pressed without skin contact. Fermented at moderate temps in SS and bottled shortly after . Rarely see oak.
Good to outstanding and mid -prem priced
eg. Tyrells
Chard- medium body with high acid, oaked and unoaked
Shiraz - high quality, Medium bodied,
MEd-High alcohol, red and black fruits and spice
Wines are matured in oak , large format - no overpowering oak
Australia: Central Ranges Zone
- SPlit into 3 regions, inland of the Great Dividing Ranges :
**Mudgee **- Near the Hunter Valley but cooler from the Great Diving Ranges - protection from the tropical storms, with lower rainfall
Irrigation is neccessary
Continental climate and altitude provde wide diurnal range
Intense sunshine =ripen with good acidity
Frost can be an issue and site selection is important
**Orange- ** - most distinct region - on the slopes of Mount Canobolas , an ancient volcano
600-900m
SOILS - deep red volcanic basalt soils , yellow/ brown clay loama nd shallow gravel
Windy helps to mitigate frost but affect fruit set
60% Shiraz and Cab Sauv planted on the lower warmer sites - med body, med abv
Shiraz is spicy red fruit and Cab Sauv is blackcurrant , earthy
Chardonnay - high in acid, medium body, stone and citurs fruit , MLFC is often used and top wines have some oak
Also high quality SB and Pinot Gris
Good to very good with mid prices
eg. Ross Hill
Cowra - Chardonnay dominates - riper fruit
Australia: S NSW Zone
- Continetal climate sheltered from the maritime influence by the Snowy Mountains
- four small regions incl :
**- Canberra District ** -
500-850m / continental climate = high diuranl range
High sunshine for ripening
Winter and spring are cold - frost is an issue
Summer are warm so irrigation is necessary
Shiraz is most planted -
The wines are deep coloured, ripe black cherry fruit , high ripe tannins an high acidity
Shiraz /Vioginer are blended commonly
Good to outstanding , mid- prem priced
eg. Clonakilla and Ravensworth
Also good to outstandig Rielsing - delicate floral and citrus
Hilltops - Shiraz, Cab Sauv and Chardonnay
Tumbarumba is cooler - PinotNoir and Chardonnay for still and Sparkling
Australia: Tasmania
- 250km s south of the mainland , seperated by the Bass Strait
- 1,700ha under vine
- less than 1% of all wine production
- premium priced wines are key ** 60% sparkling wines
Cool, maritime cliamte in general , around 41-43 deg S
West winds bring in rainfall from the Southern Ocean but falls in the West - vineyards are in the East
-Single GI with sub regions :
Coal River Valley
Tamar Valley
Pipers River
Sheltered by the mountains
Long sunshine hours to aid ripening
Vineyards face North
SE areas are drier and less huid and may require some irrigation
In the N and W, rainfall can reach 350mm = fungal disease pressure
Spring frost is also a concern and many use fans or sprinklers
Pinot Noir 48% - light to med body, med plus to high acid , med abv and strawberry and cherry
Warmer sites are more intense
Chardonnay 25% - Med body with med abv and apple, white peach and pearr
High in acid , wil use MLFC to enhance texture
All top wines undergo barrel fermentation for better integration of oak ( usually old )
Also, SB, Rielsing and Pinot gris on cooler sites .Merlot, Cab Sauv and Shiraz on warmer sites
Australia: Margaret River
- SW corner of Australia
- Peninsula surrounded by water on three sides : Indian Ocean to the N and W and the Southern Ocean to the S
- 34 degrees S , oceans play an importnat part in moderating
- Indian is warm , so temps do not drop away at night , allowing grapes to ripen longer each day
- Ripe fruit charachters are typical -
- Maritime influence - spring forst are rarely a problem
- Rainfall is over 1,000mm mostly in winter ( dry in summer with 275mm)
- Flat region with hills and valleys - 40-90m
- low ridge runs down the centre providing shelter to the East = warmer
SOILS : free draining, gravelly -dams are used for irrigation
Soils are low in fertility and moderate vigour
Total vineyard 5,725ha - Semillon, SB and Cab Sauv are 20% of the crush
Chardonnay - high in acidity, med plus to full body, concentrated stone fruit aromas
Wines are made in arange of styles but are well suited to barrel fermentation usually in French oak
MLFC is blocked expcet the cold years to retain acidity
Lees contact to increase complexity and texture
Good to outstanding and mid -prem priced
SB and Semillon blends - High acid, grassy, herbaceuos aromas, gooseberry and tropical fruit
SS to retain fruit although more prem wines may see some older oak to add texture, weight and depth
Good to very good
Cab Sauv / Merlot blends - Med plus acid, Med plus to Full body, high ripe tannins and blackberry, blackcurrant and sppice
Bordeaux style , matured in French oak - mostly new
Good to outstanding and mid-super prem priced
Eg. Leeuwin Estate and Moss Wood
Australia: Great Southern
- 150km East of Margaret River
- Five offical subregions to reflect the diversity
- Albany, Denmark - maritime climate , 350mm rainfall
- Mount Barker, Porongorup, Franlklnad River - 220 mm of rain vines at 300m , altitutde More continetnal with some maritime influence - wide diurnal range
- Dry farmed , min irrigation needed
- Water is saline and needs to be pumped in
59% Black - Shiraz is dominat at 33%
Wines are high in acid and tannins, med to full bodied, fresh back berry and cherry along peppery, herbal and spice
Whole bunch is common
Good to outstanding mid tp prem priced
eg. Larry Cherubino and Howard Park
Cabernet Sauv is intense and powerful with balckcurrant and herbal notes ( warmer Mount Barker )
Cooler Porongurup is elegant and medium bodied with savoury notes
Rielsing is the flagship white -
Wines are high in acid, lime and floral
Porongurup leads the way with wines that can age for decaded in bottle and develp stony and toasty notes
SB is more green, herbaceuos and gooseberry than Margs
Chardonnay - lees contact / barrel maturation
Melon , grapefruit in cooler areas
Stone fruit , fuller bodied in warmern
