C39 - Australia Flashcards
Describe the size of Australia
Its land mass is similar to that of the United States and larger than that of Europe
What is the general climate temperature in Australia? What is the main reason?
Warm or hot The southerly latitude
What are the main climate tempering influences in Australia?
The Southern or Indian Ocean or the Murray River system
Which areas of Australia are tempered by altitude?
Adelaide Hills and Eden Valley
What is rainfall like in many growing regions of Australia?
Very low, so irrigation is necessary
What can happen in Australia in years of extreme drought?
Waters from Murray River can run low (these are vital for irrigation)
Murray River is a vital source of water for inland areas such as…
Riverland
Murray-Darling
What is a risk in Australia as a result of high summer temperatures and drought?
Bush fires
Why are bush fires a risk even if they do not destroy crops?
The smoke can come into contact with grapes, which can taint the flavour of resulting wine
Many producers in Australia are seeking sites with…
Cool or moderate climates
What has been the result of the search for cooler climates in Australia?
Plantings have increased in high altitude sites and in Tasmania (it has a more southerly latitude)
What is Australia’s principal grape variety of either colour?
Shiraz
…is grown widely in most regions of Australia
Shiraz
Describe the Shiraz produced in hot and warm regions of Australia
Full-bodied and intensely fruity Often display earthy or spicy notes and develop leather aromas with age
Describe the other style of Shiraz produced in the warmer areas of Australia
Producers are making a more restrained style by controlling the level of extraction in the winemaking process
Where is the leaner, more peppery style of Shiraz made in Australia?
Cooler regions such as Geelong and Heathcote
What are the styles of Shiraz available in Australia?
Full-bodied, lean and peppery or a multi-regional blend of the two
What is the role of Shiraz in Australian multi-varietal blends?
It performs a similar role to Merlot in Bordeaux, adding softness to Cabernet blends
Describe Australian Cabernet
Generally dark with firmer tannins and higher acidity than Shiraz
Ripe black fruit (blackcurrant, black cherry)
Toasty oak notes
Give two classic regions for Cabernet Sauvignon in Australia
Coonawarra
Margaret River
What is the role of Merlot in Australia?
Typically found in blended wines
Often alongside Cabernet, to provide body and fleshy, plummy fruit
Where in Australia are the best examples of Pinot Noir grown? Give examples
Cool or moderate sites
Yarra Valley
Mornington Peninsula
Tasmania
Describe the style of Pinot Noir from premium sites
Medium body Medium alcohol Medium to high acidity Typical flavours of cherry and strawberry
Which varieties do best in Australia’s hot regions?
Grenache Petit Verdot Mataro
Besides Grenache, Petit Verdot and Mataro, which other varieties have gained in popularity in Australia’s hot regions? Why?
Varieties from Italy and Spain such as Sangiovese and Tempranillo They are well adapted to high summer temperatures and a limited water supply
What is the most planted white wine grape in Australia?
Chardonnay
Describe basic Australian Chardonnay
Often a blend of fruit from different regions Unoaked for peachy flavours Oak chips/staves for toast/vanilla flavours
What are the cool/moderate sources of high quality Chardonnay in Australia?
Adelaide Hills
Mornington Peninsula
Yarra Valley
Name a warm region source of Chardonnay in Australia
Margaret River
Describe top examples of Chardonnay in Australia
Beautifully balanced with fresh, vibrant fruit complemented by subtle flavours from careful use of lees, MLF and/or oak maturation
What is now being planted widely in Australia, thanks to domestic and export market?
Sauvignon Blanc
Which area of Australia is said to produce its benchmark of Sauvignon Blanc?
Adelaide Hills
What is the general temperature of the climate in Adelaide Hills?
Moderate
Name the key features of Sauvignon Blanc from Adelaide Hills
Tend to show concentrated passion fruit flavours as well as refreshing high acidity
Which white grape makes a style which is unique to Australia?
Semillon
Where in Australia is Semillon planted?
It is planted widely
What is the classic region for Semillon in Australia?
Hunter Valley
How is Semillon typically made in Adelaide Hills?
It is harvested early with low sugar levels and high acidity Oxygen contact is kept to a minimum Inert vessels used for fermentation and storage
Describe the Semillons of Adelaide Hills
Low alcohol
Neutral in flavour when first bottled
Develop extraordinary flavours of honey and toast
Can age for 20 years or more
List the styles and locations of Semillon in Australia other than those made in Adelaide Hills
Western Australia: Herbaceous style, very similar to Sauvignon Blanc
Barossa Valley: Fuller bodied and softer. Some early-picked and unoaked styles being made
Describe the general style of Riesling in Australia
Dry/slightly off-dry (some sweet styles are made)
High acidity
Unoaked
Pronounced citrus fruit aromas and flavours of lime, lemon and/or grapefruit in youth
Flavours develop into toast, honey and petrol
What are the classic regions for Riesling in Australia?
Clare Valley and Eden Valley in South Australia
Which regions of Australia are beginning to develop a reputation for high quality Riesling?
Tasmania and the Franklin River sub-region of Western Australia
What is the flavour difference between the Rieslings of South Australia and those of Western Australia?
In western Australia they are more floral than citrusy
What is the largest zone in Australia?
South Eastern Australia Zone
What comprises the South Eastern Australia Zone?
It is a ‘super-zone’ comprised of all the GIs within South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland
What does the South Eastern Australia Zone allow for in winemaking?
Blending of grapes or wines from across most of Australia’s wine regions
Describe wines labelled with South Eastern Australia
The majority are high volume brands and take advantage of being able to source fruit from the fertile , irrigated vineyards of Riverland in South Australia, Murray-Darling in Victoria and Riverina in New South Wales
Describe grapes of Riverland, Murray-Darling and Riverina
Can produce high yields of healthy grapes
Lack the flavour concentration of those from other, high-quality areas
How may the lack of flavour concentration from high yield areas of Australia be remedied?
By blending in components from regions such as Barossa, Adelaide Hills or McLaren Vale The choice of components depends on grape variety, style and price point
What else does Riverina specialise in?
The production of botrytised wines made from Semillon
What in Riverina encourages the development of noble rot?
Autumn morning mists and fogs
In which zone is the majority of Australia’s wine produced?
South Australia
Where in South Australia are the vineyards mostly located?
They are mostly concentrated in the south east of the state
What are the advantages of labelling a wine with South Australia? What kind of producers use it?
It gives producers a range of premium vineyard locations, offering different characteristics Some of Australia’s most prestigious and expensive wines take advantage of the opportunities provided by the GI
Which wine region is to the north east of Adelaide?
Barossa Valley
Which region of Australia is considered the heartland of the country’s fine wine production?
Barossa Valley
Roughly what is the climate in Barossa Valley?
Warm and dry
What are vines like in Barossa Valley?
Bush vines
What are the outstanding grape varieties of Barossa Valley?
Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache
Describe classic Barossa Valley Shiraz
Full-bodied
Soft tannins
Ripe black fruit
Sweet American oak
Develops leather and spice with age
What is the most notable white variety of Barossa Valley?
Semillon
What style of Semillon is made in Barossa Valley?
Increasingly made in a fresh, unoaked style
Describe wines labelled Barossa
Come from Barossa zone and can be made from fruit sourced from Barossa Valley and Eden Valley
Where is Eden Valley?
In the hills to the east of the Barossa Valley
Describe the climate of Eden Valley
Cool to moderate climate that varies with altitude
What is made with success in the cooler vineyards of Eden Valley?
Outstanding quality Rieslings
Describe the best Rieslings of Eden Valley
Intense lime and grapefruit aromas Steely character The best display marmalade and toasty characters after ten years
Besides Riesling, what else is grown with success in Eden Valley?
Shiraz, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon
Where is Clare Valley?
To the north west of Barossa Valley
What is the speciality of Clare Valley?
Riesling