D4.C21. Australia Flashcards
What is the amount of annual sparkling wine sales in Australia?
66 million litres (2019–20)
Sparkling wine sector represents how many percent of total wine crush in Australia?
6%
What are the percentages of domestic consumption and export for sparkling wines in Australia?
- Domestic: 89%
- Export: 11%
How is the trend for export sales for Australian sparkling wines?
- Export sales of Australian sparkling
wine have risen in recent years - Increase in export is driven by sales of sparkling Moscato, Shiraz and Australian Prosecco
- Exports of traditional method wines have declined
Which styles of sparkling wines are produced in Australia?
- Traditional: From Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier blends
- Tank method: From Glera/Prosecco and Moscato
- Sparkling Shiraz
- Pet Nat
Grapes for traditional method sparkling wines are produced in which regions of Australia?
- Tasmania
- Yarra Valley (led by Domaine Chandon)
- Adelaide Hills
- Alpine regions of Victoria and New South Wales on higher altitude sites
Which region of Australia is the leading region for high-quality sparkling wines?
Tasmania
When and how did sparkling wine production begin Tasmania?
In mid-1980s, when a joint venture between the Tasmanian company Heemskerk and Champagne Louis Roederer was launched
How is the amount of sparkling wine produced in Tasmania? What is its proportion to total wine grape production?
- The state produces only a small amount of wine but has been very successful in terms of quality
- In 36% of its total wine grape production was made into sparkling wine
Compare the weather in Tamar Valley and Piper’s River in Tasmania.
Tamar Valley is much warmer than Piper’s River as it is more sheltered from the cold Southern Ocean and harvests a fortnight before Piper’s River
How is the weather in Southern Tasmania when compared to north?
With the exception of the warm Coal Valley, Southern Tasmania is generally cooler than the warm parts of the north coast
Having the coldest areas that are cooler than Champagne, how is it possible for Tasmania to produce grapes for sparkling wines?
Because of higher sunlight intensity due to the latitude
What are the advantages of sourcing fruit from different locations around Tasmania, as practiced by large producers?
- To gain necessary volumes
- Balancing wines by blending grapes from cooler and warmer regions
What are the main viticultural hazards for growing grapes for premium sparkling wines in Australia?
- Spring frosts
- High rainfall
- Coulure in the early season and botrytis later on
Where is the fruit sourced from for the inexpensive sparkling wines in Australia? How are they labelled?
- Riverland, Riverina adn Murray-Darling
- Labelled ‘South Eastern Australia’ (vast majority of sparkling wine produced in Australia)
What are the common viticultural practices for producing grapes for inexpensive sparkling wines in Australia?
- Irrigation is essential
- Mechanisation is standard
- Fruit is picked early for lower potential alcohol, to retain acidity and to avoid over-ripe fruit notes
- Yields here are two to three times as high as in cool areas ( and prices are around one-quarter of the prices for the fruit that goes into super-premium wines)
What is unique about the viticultural practices for Shiraz that is destined to be a sparkling wine?
- The fruit is grown in warm-climate regions, especially central Victoria, Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale
- This style requires richness and intensity of flavour and therefore the grapes are picked at the same time as for still wines
Which methods are used to produce sparkling wines in Australia?
All methods
Which styles of traditional method sparkling wines are produced in Australia?
Several styles including non-vintage, vintage, prestige cuvée, rosé