C39 - Australia Flashcards
Describe Australia’s general climate and grape growing
- Land mass is similar to that of the US and larger than EU so there is a diverse range of climates
- General climate is Warm or hot (southerly latitude)
- Many regions are tempered by the Southern or Indian Ocean or the Murray River system
- Adelaide Hills and Eden Valley tempered by altitude
- Very low rainfall, so irrigation is necessary
- Bush fire threat: Low rainfall + high summer temp => can destroy crop or smoke can taint the flavour of resulting wine
- Many producers in Australia seek sites with Cool or moderate climates
What are the different regions of Australia
- South Australia
- Victoria
- New Souh Whales
- Tasmania
What are the different regions and climates of South Australia
- Barossa Valley - warm, dry, Shiraz, CS, Grenach
- Eden Valley - cool to moderate, Riesling
- Clare Valley - warm tempered by cool afernoon breezes and cold nights (400m alt), Riesling, Shiraz, CS
- Adelaid Hills - mederate, 400m alt, SB, Chardonnay, PN
- McLaren Vale - warm tempered by cool ocean breezes, Shiraz, CS, Merlot, Grenache
- Coonawarra - moderate maritime, CS
What are the different regions and climates of Victoria
- Yarra Valley - maritime, cool to moderate, PN,
- Mornington Penninsula - maritime, cool to moderate, PN, Chardonnay
- Geelong - maritime, cool to moderate, PN, Shiraz
- Heathcote - moderate, contiental, Shiraz
- Goulburn Valley - Shiraz, Marsanne
What are the different regions and climates of New South Whales?
Hunter Valley - hot, humid climate, cloud cover, Semillon
What are the different regions and climates of Western Australia?
Margaret River - warm maritime, CS, Merlot
What are the different regions and climates of Tasmania?
Tasmania - cool maritime, Sparkling, PN, Chardonnay, SB, P
What are the different regions and climates of New Souh Whales
Hunter Valley - hot, humid climate, cloud cover, Semillon
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 varietyies?
Black
- Shiraz - most planted grapes - Hunter, Barossa Valley
- Cabernet Sauvignon - Coonawara, Margaret River
- Merlot - Coonawara, Margaret River
- Pinot Noir - Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Tasmania
- Grenache
- Petit Verdot
- Mourvedre (Mataro)
White
- Chardonnay - most planted white grape - Margaret River, Adelaide Hills, Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula,
- Sauvignon Blanc - Adelaide Hills
- Semillon
…is grown widely in most regions of Australia
Shiraz
Describe the Shiraz produced in hot/warm and cooler regions of Australia
Warm/hot areas:
- Full-bodied and intensely fruity
- Often display earthy or spicy notes and develop leather aromas with age
- Oher style: 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
- Geelong and Heathcote
- Leaner, more peppery style
Shiraz also performs a similar role to Merlot in Bordeaux, adding softness to Cabernet blends
Describe Australian Cabernet
Flavours:
- Generally dark with firmer tannins and higher acidity than Shiraz
- Ripe black fruit (blackcurrant, black cherry)
- Toasty oak notes
Regions:
- Coonawarra
- Margaret River
Discuss Merlot in Australia
- Typically found in blended wines
- Often alongside Cabernet, to provide body and fleshy, plummy fruit
Discuss Pinot Noir in Australia
Best examples from cool or moderate sites
- Yarra Valley
- Mornington Peninsula
- Tasmania
Wine:
- Medium body
- Medium alcohol
- Medium to high acidity
- Typical flavours of cherry and strawberry
Which black grape varieties do best in Australia’s hot regions?
- Grenache
- Petit Verdot
- Mataro (Mourvedre)
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? Discuss
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 and warm sources of high quality Chardonnay in Australia?
Cool/moderate
- Adelaide Hills
- Mornington Peninsula
- Yarra Valley
Warm
- Margaret River