Ch. 31 – Australia Flashcards
Australia
Australia
Wine history of Australia
Vines arrived with first settlers in 1788
- 19th century commercial viticulture
- cuttings by James Busby
Phylloxera - eventially found
- strict quarantine regulations
- some areas Phylloxera free
- some of oldest vineyards (Shiraz, Cabernet, Grenache)
Phylloxera in Europe started export from Australia
- after focus returned to domestic market
- fortified wines
1950s
- Orlandos (Jacob’s Creek), Lindemans, Hardys, Penfolds - started to modernize the industry (steel and temperature control)
- 1970 Boutique winery movement and wineries in colder regions
Wine of Australia 1980 - export market
- modern, varietal labelling with descriptors
- world’s fifth largest exporter
- followed by oversupply and higher competition
- shift towards quality
Climate in Australia
Very favourable environment for viti
- intense sunshine, low rainfall, low humidity,
- grapes ripen reliably
Most vineyards 30’-37’S (North Africa, South Europe)
- Strong sunlight
Wide range of climates.
- most vineyards rely on cooling influences
Relatively flat - cooling influence of ocean can travel long distance inland
Spring frost can be issue in colder areas
Winds from ocean can disrupt flowering
Drought is constant problem
Great Dividing Ridge creates barrier - protecting southern regions from tropical weather coming from Pacific in North
- also creates rain shadow in some regions
Soil in Australia
Very complex geology, all known rock types can be found
Some regions are known for distinct soils
- Terra rossa - Coonawara
Vineyard management
Irrigation - even in wet regions (free-draining soils)
- Murray-Darling Basin rivers
- Rainwater collected in dams
- Underground water sources
- recycled wastewater
- as sustainable as possible -drip irrigation
High vigour - heat+ sufficient water
- canopy management
- old vines - lower vigour
- Scott-Henry, Smart-Dyson
Heavily mechanized
- gentle slopes or flat, wide spacing
- relatively high labour costs, remote locations
- some harvest by hand
Soil salinity
- not enough rain to carry away salt deposited
- more difficult for vine to get water - reduced vigour
- Chardonnay very sensitive
- managed by rootstock and changing irrigation patterns to larger volumes of water at less frequency
Bush fires and smoke taint
Phylloxera
- many regions did not have problem
- quarantine and biosecurity laws
- rootstock as assurance
- present in Victoria and NSW
Low humidity - ideal for sustainable/organic
Pest - kangaroos and birds
Common pests in Australia
Kangaroos and birds
Phylloxera in Australia
- many regions did not have problem
- quarantine and biosecurity laws
- rootstock as assurance
- present in Victoria and NSW
Managing high soil salinity
Not enough rain to carry away salt deposited
more difficult for vine to get water - reduced vigour
Chardonnay very sensitive
Managed by rootstock and changing irrigation patterns to larger volumes of water at less frequency
Irrigation in Australia and its sources
Irrigation - even in wet regions (free-draining soils)
- Murray-Darling Basin rivers
- Rainwater collected in dams
- Underground water sources
- recycled wastewater
- as sustainable as possible -drip irrigation
Main grape varieties in Australia
Shiraz 30% Cabernet Sauvignon Chardonnay Merlot Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Noir Semillon Pinot Gris Riesling
Original cuttings brought from Europe by:
James Busby
and European immigrants
Australian Wine Research Institute is located at:
Adelaide
Progress of Australian wine styles
Original full bodied, ripe, fruity wines with plenty of oak
Now diversification - new site selections, vineyard managemet and precise harvest dates.
Experimentation - ambient yeast - skin contact - lees contact - solids in ferment . whole bunch and stems
Screwcap is most common closure
Shiraz
30% of all plantings (successful on export)
Adaptable - wide variety of styles
Usually full bodied, high in alcohol, high level of soft tannins
Pronounced aroma of dark fruits and earthy, spicy tones
Develops leatherly
Cooler regions - less fruit intensity and distinct black pepper aroma
Trend toward less intense, more approachable style
- reducing extraction
- whole bunch
- reducing new oak
(American traditional, French increasing)
Widely used in blends (GSM, Shiraz-Viognier, Bordeaux varieties)
- premium usually co-fermented (Cheaper blended)
Blending partners of Shiraz
GSM blends
- Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro
Shiraz-Viognier
- premium usually co-fermented
- cheaper blended
Cabernet
- Shiraz has similar function as Merlot in Bordeaux
Cabernet Sauvignon
Single varietal or blends (Bordeaux or Shiraz)
Cooler or warmer climate (higher acidity and tannin than Shiraz)
- Ripe black fruit (blackcurrant and cherry)
- oak
Leading regions:
- Coonawara - distinctive mint and eucalyptus aroma
- Margaret River - often blended with Merlot, riper, more subtle herbal notes
Merlot
Widely used in blends but also single-varietal
Wìde range of styles
Better clones - raising quality
Pinot Noir
Cool or moderate climate
- Yarra Valley
- Mornington Peninsula
- Tasmania
- med body, med alcohol, high acidity, red fruit (cherry, raspberry)
Whole bunch, cold maceration, stem inclusion
Often matured in French oak (new oak is reducing)
Grenache
Rhone style blends with Shiraz and Mataro
Old bush wines (McLaren Vale, Eden Valley, Barossa Valley)
- modern style is greater freshness, higher acidity, lower alcohol and fresher fruit
- sometimes proportion of whole bunches or stems
- Small new oak barrels tend to overwhelm it
- large barrels or old oak
Chardonnay
Almost in every region
Ripe fruit (citrus, peach), med (med+) acidity and well-integrated oak
- ambient yeast
- high levels of solids
- barrel ferment
- lees ageing
- barrel maturation (French oak)
- malo (partial or full or none - depending on climate)
Sometimes blended with Semillon
Sauvignon Blanc
Cooler climate regions
- Mornington Peninsula
- Tasmania
Adelaide hills (reputation for) - citrus, tropical notes
Less herbaceous
Fermented in steel
Lees contact sometimes or barrel ferment (Margaret River)
Sometimes blended with Semillon
Semillon
Single varietal or blended with SB or Chardonnay
Hunter Valley
- Low alcohol, high acidity, unoaked style
- fairly neutral in youth
- develops with bottle age
Barossa
- fuller bodied, higher alcohol and oak notes
Frequently affected by botrytis (Riverina)
Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio
picked early (Grigio) riper, fruitier, spicier, fuller bodied (Gris)
Mornington Peninsula, Tasmania
Riesling
Cooler regions
- Clare and Eden Valleys
- Great Southern
- Canberra
- Tasmania
Bone dry, high acidity (apple, lemon, lime, grapefruit)
Fermented in steel
System of GIs in Australia
Geographical Indications (1990s)
Zones
- no rules regarding boundaries and no requirements for shared geographic or climatic characteristics
- can cover entire state
Regions
- 65 regions registered
- must have consistent and distinct qualities
- must produce at least 500 tonnes of grapes a year across at least 5 differently owned vineayrds (each at least 5ha)
- Tasmania is region (not a zone)
Sub-regions
- 14 sub regions registered
- particular topography, climates soils
Gives range of labelling options
Eden Valley can be labelled:
- Eden Valley
- Barossa
- Adelaide
- South Australia
- South Eastern Australia
Labelling law
governed by: Label Integrity Programme (LIP)
If GI, vintage or grape is stated 85% of grapes must conform
If multiple grape varieties - listed in descending order of how much they contribute
Growers, producers, suppliers are regularly audited by Australia Grape and Wine Authority (Wine Australia) which oversees LIP
No GI based rules for growing or winemaking
South Eastern Australia Zone
Covers whole Victoria, NSW and Tasmania + corners of South Australia and Queensland
Allows blending across the zone - high volume wines
Mostly from Murray-Darling Basin
- Riverland
- Riverina
- Murray-Darling
Hot continental climate
Rivers provide slight cooling influence and water for irrigation
Ideal conditions for high volume production
Rain shadow of Great Dividing Range
Casella Family Brands (Yellow Tail), De Bortoli, Australian Vintage, Lindeman’s
Shiraz, Chardonnay, Semillon
- med body, high alcohol, low acidity
Area in Riverina known for botrytised wines
Griffith
Semillon grape
South Australia Zones and Regions
Barossa Zone
- Barossa Valley
- Eden Valley
Mount Lofty Ranges Zone
- Adelaide Hills
- Clare Valley
Fleurieu Zone
- McLaren Vale
Limestone Coast Zone
- Coonawara
Victoria Zones and Regions
Port Phillip Zone
- Yarra Valley
- Morninton Peninsula
- Geelong
- Macedon Ranges
Western Victoria Zone
- Grampians
- Pyrenees
- Henty
North East Victoria Zone
- King Valley
- Beechworth
Central Victoria Zone
- Goulburn Valley
- Bendigo
- Uppel Goulburn
- Heathcote
Gippsland Zone
Barossa Zone regions
- Barossa Valley
- Eden Valley
Mount Lofty Ranges Zone regions
- Adelaide Hills
- Clare Valley
Region in Fleurieu Zone
McLaren Vale
Region in Limestone Coast Zone
Coonawara
Port Phillip Zone Regions
- Yarra Valley
- Morninton Peninsula
- Geelong
- Macedon Ranges
Regions in Western Victoria Zone
- Grampians
- Pyrenees
- Henty