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WSET Level 3 in Wines - Thirsty and Wise > Australia - WSET L3 in Wines > Flashcards

Australia - WSET L3 in Wines Flashcards

1
Q

How large is Australia in terms of landmass?

A

Similar in size to the United States, larger than Europe.

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2
Q

What is the general climate of Australia’s wine regions?

A

Warm to hot, with many regions moderated by proximity to oceans or rivers and altitude.

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3
Q

What are the key moderating factors in Australian viticulture?

A

Southern Ocean, Indian Ocean, Murray River system, and altitude.

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4
Q

What is a key climatic risk for Australian vineyards?

A

Drought, which can lead to water scarcity and reduced yields.

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5
Q

How do bushfires impact Australian wine production?

A

They can destroy vineyards or taint grapes with smoke, affecting wine quality.

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6
Q

What is Australia’s wine classification system?

A

The Geographical Indication (GI) system.

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7
Q

What are the three hierarchical levels of GIs in Australia?

A

Zones, regions, and sub-regions.

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8
Q

What is the largest GI in Australia?

A

South Eastern Australia Zone, which covers multiple states.

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9
Q

What must a wine labeled with a GI contain?

A

At least 85% of grapes from the stated GI.

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10
Q

What is the significance of multi-regional blends in Australia?

A

Allow winemakers to blend fruit from diverse climates, enhancing consistency and style.

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11
Q

What is Australia’s principal black grape variety?

A

Shiraz, producing full-bodied wines with black fruit and spice.

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12
Q

Where are full-bodied Shiraz wines primarily produced?

A

Barossa Valley and Hunter Valley.

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13
Q

What is the style of Shiraz from cool-climate regions like Heathcote?

A

Leaner, more peppery with higher acidity.

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14
Q

What are the key characteristics of Australian Cabernet Sauvignon?

A

Dark fruit flavors, firm tannins, and high acidity, often with toasty oak notes.

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15
Q

Where are premium Cabernet Sauvignons produced?

A

Margaret River, Coonawarra.

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16
Q

What are the characteristics of Australian Pinot Noir?

A

Medium-bodied with cherry and strawberry flavors, thriving in cool regions like Yarra Valley and Tasmania.

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17
Q

What is Australia’s most planted white grape variety?

A

Chardonnay, made in a range of styles from unoaked to complex, barrel-aged wines.

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18
Q

What are the characteristics of Australian Semillon?

A

Light-bodied, high acidity, and capable of aging, with honey and toast flavors developing over time.

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19
Q

What is the typical style of Australian Riesling?

A

Dry, unoaked, with pronounced citrus flavors and high acidity.

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20
Q

Where is Australian Riesling primarily grown?

A

Clare Valley, Eden Valley, and Tasmania.

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21
Q

What defines Barossa Valley wines?

A

Full-bodied Shiraz with ripe black fruit, soft tannins, and sweet American oak.

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22
Q

What white wine is Barossa Valley known for?

A

Semillon, increasingly made in a fresh, unoaked style.

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23
Q

What makes Eden Valley distinct within the Barossa Zone?

A

High-altitude vineyards producing high-quality Riesling and Shiraz.

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24
Q

What is the specialty of Clare Valley?

A

Dry Riesling with citrus flavors and long aging potential.

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25
Q

What makes Coonawarra’s terroir unique?

A

Terra rossa soil over limestone, ideal for structured Cabernet Sauvignon.

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26
Q

What is the climate of McLaren Vale?

A

Warm, moderated by ocean breezes, producing intensely flavored reds like Shiraz.

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27
Q

What is Hunter Valley’s most famous wine?

A

Semillon, capable of developing complex flavors with age.

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28
Q

What are the primary grapes grown in Yarra Valley?

A

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, often used for still and sparkling wines.

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29
Q

What characterizes wines from Mornington Peninsula?

A

Elegant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with high acidity.

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30
Q

What is the climate of Margaret River?

A

Warm maritime, producing balanced Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay.

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31
Q

What is Great Southern known for?

A

Riesling, Shiraz, and Cabernet Sauvignon from sub-regions like Frankland River.

32
Q

What is the specialty of Heathcote?

A

Shiraz with a firmer structure and fresher fruit compared to warmer regions.

33
Q

What is Rutherglen known for?

A

Fortified Muscat wines with intense sweetness and complexity.

34
Q

How is oak used in premium Australian Chardonnay?

A

Subtly to add complexity with flavors of toast, vanilla, and nut.

35
Q

What is the role of blending in Australian winemaking?

A

Enhances consistency and balances flavors by combining fruit from multiple regions.

36
Q

How are sparkling wines produced in Australia?

A

Traditional method, using Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, particularly in Tasmania.

37
Q

What is the style of Riverina botrytized wines?

A

Sweet wines made from Semillon, with flavors of honey and dried fruit.

38
Q

How do Australian vineyards manage water scarcity?

A

Through irrigation from rivers like Murray and Darling.

39
Q

What is the impact of bushfires on Australian wine?

A

Can cause vineyard damage and smoke taint in wines.

40
Q

Why are cooler climates sought in Australia?

A

To produce fresher, more aromatic wines with higher acidity.

41
Q

How does altitude influence Australian vineyards?

A

Cooler temperatures at higher altitudes help preserve acidity and freshness.

42
Q

How does the Southern Ocean influence Australian vineyards?

A

Brings cool breezes, moderating temperatures in coastal regions like Mornington Peninsula and McLaren Vale.

43
Q

What is Tasmania known for in Australian wine?

A

Cool-climate wines, especially Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling wines.

44
Q

What makes Tasmania ideal for sparkling wine production?

A

Its cool climate preserves acidity and creates elegant base wines from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

45
Q

What is the role of irrigation in regions like Riverland and Murray-Darling?

A

Provides water in these hot, dry regions, ensuring consistent yields for high-volume production.

46
Q

What is the primary grape of Riverina?

A

Semillon, used for both dry and botrytized sweet wines.

47
Q

What distinguishes Hunter Valley Semillon?

A

Light-bodied, high-acid wines that develop complex toasty and nutty flavors with age.

48
Q

How does Margaret River differ from warmer regions like Barossa?

A

Margaret River produces more balanced wines with fresher fruit flavors due to its maritime climate.

49
Q

What is terra rossa soil, and where is it found?

A

Red clay soil over limestone, found in Coonawarra, ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon.

50
Q

What are the characteristics of Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon?

A

Structured wines with cassis, mint, and eucalyptus flavors, and firm tannins.

51
Q

What grape varieties thrive in Barossa Valley?

A

Shiraz, Grenache, and Mataro (Mourvèdre).

52
Q

What makes Eden Valley Riesling unique?

A

High acidity, citrus flavors, and excellent aging potential, developing honey and toast notes.

53
Q

What is the Super Zone in Australian wine classification?

A

South Eastern Australia Zone, covering multiple states, including New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland.

54
Q

Name the key grape varieties grown in Barossa Valley.

A

Shiraz, Grenache, Mataro (Mourvèdre), and Semillon.

55
Q

What grape varieties dominate Margaret River?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon blends.

56
Q

Name the primary grape varieties in McLaren Vale.

A

Shiraz, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.

57
Q

What is Tasmania known for in terms of grape varieties?

A

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling wine production. Also Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and some Cabernet Sauvignon.

58
Q

What are the main varieties grown in Coonawarra?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Chardonnay.

59
Q

Name three regions focusing on high yields?

A

Riverland, Murray-Darling, Riverina

60
Q

How is Barossa Zone divided?

A

Barossa Valley and Eden Valley.

61
Q

What is the climate in Barossa Valley?

A

Warm and dry climate. Old bush vines are are common.

62
Q

What is the moderating climate factor in Eden Valley?

A

Located east of Barossa Valley and moderated climate by altitude.

63
Q

What are climate factors in Clare Valley?

A

Located north-west of Barossa. 300-570m altitude and also cooled by ocean breezes.

64
Q

What are climate factors in Adelaide Hills?

A

Moderated by 400m altitude.

65
Q

What is moderating climate in McLaren Vale?

A

Nearby breezes.

66
Q

What are moderating climate factors in Coonawarra?

A

Cold currants from Antarctic and cloud cover.

67
Q

How does Great Dividing Range affect climate in Victoria?

A

Provides range of altitudes and aspects for regions like Macedon Ranges and Goulburne.

68
Q

What is climate in Yarra Valley?

A

Moderate maritime, moderated by altitude, ocean breezes and aspects.

69
Q

What is climate in Mornington Peninsula?

A

Located south-east of Melbourne. Maritime climate moderated by ocean breezes.

70
Q

What is climate in Geelong?

A

Located South-west of Melbourne. Maritime climate moderated by ocean breezes.

71
Q

What is climate in Heathcote?

A

Further inland and moderation comes from altitude.

72
Q

Name three regions located on western part of Great Dividing Range?

A

Mudgee, Cowra and Orange.

73
Q

What is climate in Hunter Valley?

A

Hot humid climate. High cloud cover and ocean breezes.

74
Q

What is climate in Margaret River?

A

Warm maritime climate with high rainfall.

75
Q

What is climate in Tasmania?

A

Cool maritime climate with cool winds coming from Southern Ocean.

WSET Level 3 in Wines - Thirsty and Wise (41 decks)

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