Clare Valley

Question 1

Where is Clare Valley located?

Answer 1

Around 125 km north of Adelaide, the Clare Valley forms the northernmost part of the Mount
Lofty Ranges

Question 2

What is the climate?

Answer 2

The climate is warm but the hot summer temperatures are tempered by cool
afternoon breezes and cold nights. This creates a particularly wide diurnal range that helps
slow ripening and allows grapes to retain acidity.
Rainfall is also low and irrigation sometimes required as well as humidity is low which results in low disease pressure.

Question 3

Where are the vineyards situated and how they are harvested?

Answer 3

The vineyards are planted at between 300 and 500 m above sea level. This produces a variety of microclimates: in general, white grapes are grown at higher altitudes and on more exposed slopes whereas black grapes are grown on lower, warmer sites. The slopes are not particularly steep and many of the vineyards can be machineharvested, although some producers choose not to.

Question 4

Describe the style of Clare Riesling

Answer 4

The wines are usually fermented dry with medium alcohol and the trademark lime
aromas. Acidity levels tend to be higher than in Eden Valley.
The slate soils of Polish Hill are low in fertility and are said to give a less aromatic, flintier style of Riesling which can be fairly neutral in youth but can benefit from long bottleageing,developing honey
and toasty characteristics. In contrast, the limestone soils of Watervale are more fertile and are thought to produce a more aromatic, floral style which can be drunk when younger

Question 5

Quality and price of Clare Rieslings

Answer 5

Good to outstanding in quality and mid- to
premium priced

Question 6

Which are the principal red grape varieties?
Describe the style, quality and price

Answer 6

Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon being the principal black varieties. Red wines often have medium to medium (+) acidity and tannins, and pronounced ripe black fruit flavours with a distinctive minty or eucalyptus characteristic. They are usually good to outstanding in quality and mid-priced to premium, with a number of super-premium examples.

Question 7

Significant Producers

Answer 7

Leasingham, Petaluma, Leo Buring, Jim Barry,
Wendouree, Grosset