Australia - WSET L3 in Wines Flashcards
How large is Australia in terms of landmass?
Similar in size to the United States, larger than Europe.
What is the general climate of Australia’s wine regions?
Warm to hot, with many regions moderated by proximity to oceans or rivers and altitude.
What are the key moderating factors in Australian viticulture?
Southern Ocean, Indian Ocean, Murray River system, and altitude.
What is a key climatic risk for Australian vineyards?
Drought, which can lead to water scarcity and reduced yields.
How do bushfires impact Australian wine production?
They can destroy vineyards or taint grapes with smoke, affecting wine quality.
What is Australia’s wine classification system?
The Geographical Indication (GI) system.
What are the three hierarchical levels of GIs in Australia?
Zones, regions, and sub-regions.
What is the largest GI in Australia?
South Eastern Australia Zone, which covers multiple states.
What must a wine labeled with a GI contain?
At least 85% of grapes from the stated GI.
What is the significance of multi-regional blends in Australia?
Allow winemakers to blend fruit from diverse climates, enhancing consistency and style.
What is Australia’s principal black grape variety?
Shiraz, producing full-bodied wines with black fruit and spice.
Where are full-bodied Shiraz wines primarily produced?
Barossa Valley and Hunter Valley.
What is the style of Shiraz from cool-climate regions like Heathcote?
Leaner, more peppery with higher acidity.
What are the key characteristics of Australian Cabernet Sauvignon?
Dark fruit flavors, firm tannins, and high acidity, often with toasty oak notes.
Where are premium Cabernet Sauvignons produced?
Margaret River, Coonawarra.
What are the characteristics of Australian Pinot Noir?
Medium-bodied with cherry and strawberry flavors, thriving in cool regions like Yarra Valley and Tasmania.
What is Australia’s most planted white grape variety?
Chardonnay, made in a range of styles from unoaked to complex, barrel-aged wines.
What are the characteristics of Australian Semillon?
Light-bodied, high acidity, and capable of aging, with honey and toast flavors developing over time.
What is the typical style of Australian Riesling?
Dry, unoaked, with pronounced citrus flavors and high acidity.
Where is Australian Riesling primarily grown?
Clare Valley, Eden Valley, and Tasmania.
What defines Barossa Valley wines?
Full-bodied Shiraz with ripe black fruit, soft tannins, and sweet American oak.
What white wine is Barossa Valley known for?
Semillon, increasingly made in a fresh, unoaked style.
What makes Eden Valley distinct within the Barossa Zone?
High-altitude vineyards producing high-quality Riesling and Shiraz.
What is the specialty of Clare Valley?
Dry Riesling with citrus flavors and long aging potential.
What makes Coonawarra’s terroir unique?
Terra rossa soil over limestone, ideal for structured Cabernet Sauvignon.
What is the climate of McLaren Vale?
Warm, moderated by ocean breezes, producing intensely flavored reds like Shiraz.
What is Hunter Valley’s most famous wine?
Semillon, capable of developing complex flavors with age.
What are the primary grapes grown in Yarra Valley?
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, often used for still and sparkling wines.
What characterizes wines from Mornington Peninsula?
Elegant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with high acidity.
What is the climate of Margaret River?
Warm maritime, producing balanced Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay.
What is Great Southern known for?
Riesling, Shiraz, and Cabernet Sauvignon from sub-regions like Frankland River.
What is the specialty of Heathcote?
Shiraz with a firmer structure and fresher fruit compared to warmer regions.
What is Rutherglen known for?
Fortified Muscat wines with intense sweetness and complexity.
How is oak used in premium Australian Chardonnay?
Subtly to add complexity with flavors of toast, vanilla, and nut.
What is the role of blending in Australian winemaking?
Enhances consistency and balances flavors by combining fruit from multiple regions.
How are sparkling wines produced in Australia?
Traditional method, using Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, particularly in Tasmania.
What is the style of Riverina botrytized wines?
Sweet wines made from Semillon, with flavors of honey and dried fruit.
How do Australian vineyards manage water scarcity?
Through irrigation from rivers like Murray and Darling.
What is the impact of bushfires on Australian wine?
Can cause vineyard damage and smoke taint in wines.
Why are cooler climates sought in Australia?
To produce fresher, more aromatic wines with higher acidity.
How does altitude influence Australian vineyards?
Cooler temperatures at higher altitudes help preserve acidity and freshness.
How does the Southern Ocean influence Australian vineyards?
Brings cool breezes, moderating temperatures in coastal regions like Mornington Peninsula and McLaren Vale.
What is Tasmania known for in Australian wine?
Cool-climate wines, especially Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling wines.
What makes Tasmania ideal for sparkling wine production?
Its cool climate preserves acidity and creates elegant base wines from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
What is the role of irrigation in regions like Riverland and Murray-Darling?
Provides water in these hot, dry regions, ensuring consistent yields for high-volume production.
What is the primary grape of Riverina?
Semillon, used for both dry and botrytized sweet wines.
What distinguishes Hunter Valley Semillon?
Light-bodied, high-acid wines that develop complex toasty and nutty flavors with age.
How does Margaret River differ from warmer regions like Barossa?
Margaret River produces more balanced wines with fresher fruit flavors due to its maritime climate.
What is terra rossa soil, and where is it found?
Red clay soil over limestone, found in Coonawarra, ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon.
What are the characteristics of Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon?
Structured wines with cassis, mint, and eucalyptus flavors, and firm tannins.
What grape varieties thrive in Barossa Valley?
Shiraz, Grenache, and Mataro (Mourvèdre).
What makes Eden Valley Riesling unique?
High acidity, citrus flavors, and excellent aging potential, developing honey and toast notes.
What is the Super Zone in Australian wine classification?
South Eastern Australia Zone, covering multiple states, including New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland.
Name the key grape varieties grown in Barossa Valley.
Shiraz, Grenache, Mataro (Mourvèdre), and Semillon.
What grape varieties dominate Margaret River?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon blends.
Name the primary grape varieties in McLaren Vale.
Shiraz, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.
What is Tasmania known for in terms of grape varieties?
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling wine production. Also Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and some Cabernet Sauvignon.
What are the main varieties grown in Coonawarra?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Chardonnay.
Name three regions focusing on high yields?
Riverland, Murray-Darling, Riverina
How is Barossa Zone divided?
Barossa Valley and Eden Valley.
What is the climate in Barossa Valley?
Warm and dry climate. Old bush vines are are common.
What is the moderating climate factor in Eden Valley?
Located east of Barossa Valley and moderated climate by altitude.
What are climate factors in Clare Valley?
Located north-west of Barossa. 300-570m altitude and also cooled by ocean breezes.
What are climate factors in Adelaide Hills?
Moderated by 400m altitude.
What is moderating climate in McLaren Vale?
Nearby breezes.
What are moderating climate factors in Coonawarra?
Cold currants from Antarctic and cloud cover.
How does Great Dividing Range affect climate in Victoria?
Provides range of altitudes and aspects for regions like Macedon Ranges and Goulburne.
What is climate in Yarra Valley?
Moderate maritime, moderated by altitude, ocean breezes and aspects.
What is climate in Mornington Peninsula?
Located south-east of Melbourne. Maritime climate moderated by ocean breezes.
What is climate in Geelong?
Located South-west of Melbourne. Maritime climate moderated by ocean breezes.
What is climate in Heathcote?
Further inland and moderation comes from altitude.
Name three regions located on western part of Great Dividing Range?
Mudgee, Cowra and Orange.
What is climate in Hunter Valley?
Hot humid climate. High cloud cover and ocean breezes.
What is climate in Margaret River?
Warm maritime climate with high rainfall.
What is climate in Tasmania?
Cool maritime climate with cool winds coming from Southern Ocean.
