L3: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa Flashcards
South Africa
Climate
Mediterranean
Baguela Current - Cools Peninsula off western cape
Grapes
Chenin Blanc (“Steen”)
Pinotage (Pinot Noir / Cisnault cross)
Notable Wines / Sub-Regions
First wine producing area in southern hemisphere
Constantia: First planting location. Mediterranean Climate
Originally muscat grape (18th century)
Bordeaux varieties today
TODAY: Chenin Blanc
Famous Desert Wine made of Muscat Blac
Stellenbosch: Tasted Cabernet
Swartland: Warmer area; Chenin Blanc in class
Baguela Current
Cools Peninsula off western cape. South Africa
Pinotage
Pinot Noir / Cisnault Cross
Extremely dark grape; high in tanin and anthocyanin.
Pinotage is dense in color and bold in flavor with notes of plum sauce, tobacco, blackberry, tar and licorice.
Steen
Chenin Blanc (name in SA)
What was the first wine producing area in the southern hemisphere
South Africa
First planting location in South Africa?
Constantia; cost close to capetown
Constantia
Famous South African desert wine made of Muscat Blanc
First planting location. Mediterranean Climate
Originally muscat grape (18th century)
Bordeaux varieties today
TODAY: Chenin Blanc and Desert Wine
Constantia is the oldest wine region. It is not a district, but a free-standing ward. Famous for its signature dessert wine made from Muscat Petit à Grains and favored by Napoleon, this wine can still be enjoyed at the Groot Constantia Estate. Sauvignon Blanc is the modern standout.
Stellenbosch
South and East of Capetown. Cabernet in class.
Primary Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc (W), Chenin Blanc (W)
Shiraz (R), Cabernet Sauvignon (R)
Stellenbosch is South Africa’s oldest settlement, after Cape Town. Today it is the best known wine region in South Africa. The climate is relatively hot and dry, but maritime winds cool off the vineyards and keep them remarkably disease-free. Cabernet Sauvignon is the premier wine, while Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, and Chenin Blanc are all planted here in large numbers. Stellenbosch is also notable for being the birthplace of Pinotage.
Paarl
Primary Grapes: Chardonnay (W), Chenin Blanc (W), Shiraz (R), Pinotage (R), Cabernet Sauvignon (R)
Paarl, meaning “pearl”, is located just north of Stellenbosch and is the heart of production in South Africa. Located between two mountain ranges, the climate is generally warm and the soil is well-drained and nutrient-poor. Reds from Shiraz, Pinotage, and Cabernet Sauvignon are rich and robust, with a great intensity of fruit. Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay are fruit-driven and lush.
Swartland
Swartland is a large wine-producing area 65 kilometers (40 miles) north of Cape Town in the Western Cape of South Africa. Traditionally a wheat-producing region, it now specializes in making rich, fruit-driven wines particularly from the Shiraz, Chenin Blanc and Pinotage grape varieties.
Warmer area; had Chenin Blanc in class
Cape Doctor
South Africa:
cooling, powerful wind that can ward off pests and disease, but has the potential to harm young vines
Australia
Climate
South Australia: Mediterranean
Western Australia: Maritime
Yarra Yarra: Continental
Tasmania: ?
Grapes
Known for blends (Shiraz, Vigonier, GSM)
Western Australia: Cab / Merlot (e.g., Margaret River)
Notable Wines / Sub-Regions
South Australia
Eden Valley (w/ in Borossa < South Australia): Dry Reisling (German settled area, cooler part of region)
Borossa (< South Australia): Never had Phyloxera, strong quarantines; oldest vines in world (120 years)
Coonawara: Well draining limestone soil. Terra Rossa. Excellent Cabernet
Margaret River (< Western Australia): Most sophisticated wines; Bordeaux style blends)
Margaret River
Far West Australia. Most Sophisticated Wines. Bordeaux Blends.
The Margaret River is Western Australia’s premier region for elegant wines. It is often referred to as Australia’s “little Bordeaux”. A coastal strip dotted with small producers and low yield vineyards, this emerging area focuses on Bordeaux red and white varieties, along with Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Riesling.
Eden Valley
South Australia. Cooler area. German settled. Within / near Borossa.
Dry Reislings.
German Settled Area
This cooler and topographically steeper extension of Barossa makes full-bodied and silky Shiraz. Cabernets exhibit noticeable structure and finesse. Age-worthy Riesling has a lush floral component and is loaded with citrus. Viognier gains full expression here, and is often blended with Shiraz to create a uniquely aromatic blend.
Coonawara
South Australia.
Excellent Cabernet
Well draining limestone soil known as Terra Rossa
The best known region of the Limestone Coast and coolest in South Australia, this area is famous for its unique bright red soil called terra rosa. The soil is red-brown loam over free-draining limestone, a combination that results in luscious and mineral-driven Cabernet Sauvignons. This perfect marriage between grape and place made it one of Australia’s first widely-recognized delimited areas. Merlot and Cabernet Franc also thrive here.
Terra Rossa
Australia.
Unique, bright red soil in Coonawara region.
Borossa
South Australia. Shiraz focused
Never had Phyloxera; strong quarantines
Oldest vines in world - 120 years
Another subzone of Adelaide, Barossa is South Australia’s oldest and most important wine region. This mountain valley is an area of diverse microclimates that produces complex and balanced wines. It maintains strict quarantines against phylloxera, and boasts deeply-rooted bush vines. The main grape here has always been Shiraz, made in a style that magnifies its power and fruity intensity.
Penfold’s Grange
South Australia. Producer of Australia’s most sought after wines
South Australia Region
South Australia has been the hub of the nation’s wine industry since the 19th century. More than half of all Australian wine is produced in its Mediterranean climate. Subzones are clustered around the city of Adelaide, the country’s center for wine industry and education. All major wineries have a presence here, including Penfold’s Grange, the producer of Australia’s most sought-after wines.
New Zealand
Climate
Maritime
Southern Alps: All vineyards on eastern side; benefit from rain shadow
Grapes
Marlborough: Sauvignon Blanc
Central Otago: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sparkling
Hawke’s Bay (N. Island): Chardonnay
Notable Wines / Sub-Regions
Marlborough: Sauvignon Blanc
Vs. Bordeaux
→ Cooler in NZ
→ Single varietal in NZ (vs. blend in Bordeaux)
→ No oak in NZ
Strong “jalapeno” note
Stainless steel fermentation
Central Otago Pinot: Acidity like Burgundy; Fruity like New World
Southern Alps
New Zealand
A mountain chain that runs along its western coast. Most vineyards are located in the rain shadow created by these peaks. Soils consist of volcanic and alluvial with sandstone. Its least temperate weather occurs in the far south, across from the Tasman Sea.
Marlborough
Southern Island New Zealand
Sauvignon Blanc focused
The temperate maritime climate of this region, in the northeast corner of the South Island, contains more vineyards than any other place in the country. It ranks as New Zealand’s most important region. Marlborough was made famous by Sauvignon Blanc, which became the commercial starting point of the wine industry. It is now home to over eighty-five percent of total Sauvignon Blanc acreage. Pinot Noir also shows well in its microclimate. Pinot Gris is catching on, and may be the area’s next star export.
Hawke’s Bay
North Island New Zealand
Chardonnay Focused
This harbor on the North Island predated Marlborough (on the South Island) as the country’s key winegrowing area, and remains the second largest growing region. It is the driest region in the country with a wide variety of soil types. Hilly, gravelly, and naturally well-irrigated vineyards produce well-crafted Cabernet and lush, round Chardonnay. Alluvial soils in the Gimblett Gravels district produce standout reds of Merlot, Cabernet, and Syrah. It was the first place in New Zealand where a connection of place to grape was recognized.
What is the Southern Most wine region in the world
Central Otago, NZ
Central Otago
Southern Island; Most southernly in world
A difficult continental climate drives up production costs in one of the last regions to be planted. It is also the most southerly in the world. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Riesling cling to hillsides that maximize exposure to light. The early standout grape appears to be Pinot Noir.
Central Otago Pinot: Acidity like Burgundy; Fruity like New World
How does Marlborough compare to Bordeaux?
Marlborough: Sauvignon Blanc
Vs. Bordeaux
→ Cooler in NZ
→ Single varietal in NZ (vs. blend in Bordeaux)
→ No oak in NZ
Strong “jalapeno” note
Stainless steel fermentation
South Africa Regulatory System
Wine of Origin System
South Africa % requirements for geography, varietal, vinage
100% Geography
85% Vintage
85% Varietal
Wards?
Ward < District < Region
Regulated terms in South Africa
Estate: (Same as “grown, produced, bottled by”)
Single Vineyard: all grapes from one vineyard
“Estate” - South Africa
Same as “grown, produced, bottled by”
“Single Vineyard” - South Afrida
all grapes from one vineyard
Australia Regulatory System
Geographic Indication System (GI)
Label Integrity Program
Australia: % requirements for geography, varietal, vintage
Australia
85% Geography
85% Vintage
85% Varietal
New Zealand Regulations
Geographic Indication System (GI) – introduced in 2010s to combat fraud; previously “Wines of Certified Origin”
85% Geography
85% Vintage
85% Varietal
*Most are in practice 100%
Stelvin Enclosure
Screwtop
Australia Invented
Eliminated risk of cork infection (TCA)
Name of screwtop?
Stelvin Enclosure
Australia Invented
Eliminated risk of cork infection (TCA)
Dry Farmed
No irrigation; stress vines
Bush Vines
Vines trained to grow as ‘bushes’ - common with Pinotage in South Africa. Head trained; no trellising. More shade for growth. Must be hand picked
IPW Program
“Integrated Production of Wine” - Environmental Sustainability Scheme established by South African wine industry in 1998
Yarra Yarra
Australia
The Yarra Yarra Valley, a cool continental climate region outside of Melbourne, is known for its Pinot Noir. A variety of wine styles are produced, including some of the world’s greatest dessert wine made from fortified Muscat and Muscadelle, as well as exceptional traditional-method sparkling wines.
Martinborough
Part of Wairraprap region on North Island
Pinot and Chardonnay (Burgundian)
The best varieties in this region that includes Martinborough are the Burgundian varietals, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. These grapes thrive on the thin, poor soils and well-drained gravel and silt soil. Martinborough also experiences some of the highest diurnal temperature variations in the country. Coupled with mountains on its western side, the conditions are close to ideal for growing the delicate Pinot Noir grape. Styles range from plump and full to lean and earthy. Pinot Gris and Chardonnay are other popular varieties.
