NSW Flashcards
Zones of NSW
- Big Rivers zone
- Central Ranges Zone
- Hunter Valley Zone
- Northern Rivers Zone
- Northern Slopes Zone
- South Coast Zone
- Southern New South Wales Zone
- Western Plains Zone
GI’s of Big Rivers Zone
- Perricoota GI
- Riverina GI
Pericoota GI
- Located on Murray River
- Borders Victoria to the south
- Chardonnay is most planted, also Semillon, Cab, Shiraz
Riverina GI
- Largest single region in Australia
- Mass production, mass market brands
- De Bortoli were market leaders for decades, but they were surpassed by Casella Wines who owns Yellowtail
- Lachlan and Murrumbidgee Rivers
- Famous for De Bartoli “Nobile One” Botrytis Semillon
GI’s of Central Ranges Zone
- Cowra GI
- Mudgee GI
- Orange GI
Cowra GI
- Warm, continental
- Famous for lush, soft, stlye of Chardonnay
- GDR, Lachlan and Belubula Rivers*
- Cowra Estate
Mudgee GI
- Borders Hunter Valley to the west
- Cab, Merlot are most planted. Reds are nearly 80% of plantings. Chardonnay is most planted white
- GDR
- Higher elevation
- Home of Tyrells Vat 47 (Chardonnay)
Orange GI
- High elevation GI. Starting at 600m and rise up past 1000m
- Cab, Shiraz, Merlot, Chard, Riesling, SB
- Mount Canobolas, an extinct volcano
- Soil: Variable but well known for red/brown clay derived from basalt
- Bloodwood planted Orange’s first modern vineyard in 1983
GI’s of Hunter Valley Zone
Hunter GI
3 subregions:
* Pokolbin GI
* Broke Fordwich GI
* Upper Hunter Valley GI
Hunter GI
- Sub-tropical and humid
- Semillon, Chardonnay, and Shiraz
- Upper Hunter Valley GI: Black silt loam, dark clay loam.
- Lower Hunter: Friable loam, red friable duplex soils
- Semillon was first planted here in the 1830’s at Busby’s Kirkton Estate
- Tyrells planted first Chardonnay here in 1968 and “Vat 47” first bottled in 1971.
- Brokenwood’s “ILR” Reserve released 6 years after vintage
- Verdelho also grown, offering an alternative to Semillon, yielding generous wines of tropical fruit character, often finishing with a degree or so more alcohol than Semillon.
- Pokolbin GI was created to cover the vineyards along the lower reaches of the Hunter River
- Broke Fordwich GI forms an L-shaped area of red volcanic soils around the towns of Broke and Fordwich.
Hunter Valley Semillon
- Most planted grape
- Low alcohol 10-12%
- Classic Hunter Semillon never sees oak and there is no emphasis on lees stirring, but it will be aged for several years prior to release
- Red and black loam
- Screwcaps enclosures are used
- Formerly known as “Hunter Valley Riesling”
- Tyrells “Vat 1” Semillon released 5 years after vintage
- Brokenwood’s “ILR” Reserve released 6 years after vintage
GI of the Northern Rivers Zone
Hastings River GI
Hastings River GI
- Very hot and humid climate. High amount of rainfall during the growing season.
- Natural Features:
Broken Bago Range, Pac Ocean, Hastings River - Hybrid grape Chambourcin is most planted grape due to its resistance to mold/mildew
GI of Northern Slopes Zone
New England Australia GI
New England Australia GI
- High elevation due to proximity to the GDR
- Cooler climate versions of Cab, Shiraz, Merlot, Chard, Semillon
- Soil: Rich alluvial soils in the south, granite and basalt at higher elevations to the north, terra rossa at high altitudes.
- Home to Black Mountain Vineyard. Highest elevation vineyard in mainland Australia at 1,320m
GI’s of South Coast Zone
- Shoalhaven Coast GI
- Southern HIghlands GI
Shoalhaven Coast GI
- Strip of coastline south of Sydney
- Known for Chambourcin, mildew resistant hybrid
Southern Highlands GI
- NW and inland from Shoalhaven Coast, within the hills of GDR
- Tempranillo is most planted
GI’s of Southern NSW Zone
- Canberra District GI
- Tumbarumba GI
- HIlltops GI
- Gundagai GI
Canberra District GI
- Mild continental
- GDR, Lake George
- Shiraz, BDX blends, PN, Riesling, Gruner (Lark Hill)
- Paralells have been drawn between Canberra District and Cote Rotie. Producers often co-ferment Viognier with Shiraz
- Producers: Clonakilla, Lark Hill (Gruner) , Brindabella Hills, Helm
Tumbarumba GI
- Foothills of Snowy Mountains
- HIgh elevation
- Sparkling wine production
- PN, Chard primarily grown
- Soil: Mountain soils derived from granite/basalt
Hilltops GI
- Warm continental
- Snowy Mountains
- Cab, Shiraz are primary grapes
- Riverina’s McWilliams has the largest share of plantings.
Gundagai GI
- Shiraz, Cab, Chard
- Co-ferment Shiraz/Viognier
- Snowy Mountains
- Murrumbidgee River
Which soil is best suited for Semillon?
Loam- red and black mixture found in the Hunter Valley
How was semillon once known as in the Hunter valley?
Hunter Riesling
Which Subregion in Hunter is the main zone for all top producers?
Pokolbin GI
Lark Hill (Canberra District) is known for planting which grape first in Australia?
Gruner Veltliner
Within the Central Ranges. Which Region has the highest Elevation?
Cowra – 600-1000 Meters
Which River flows through the Hunter GI?
Hunter River
In which GI is Mt. Canobolas?
Orange
What two varietals lead plantings in Tumbarumba?
Pinot Noir 46%
Chardonnay 54%
What two GIs border Victoria?
Pericoota GI
Murray Darling GI
Clonakilla is a major producer in which region?
Canberra GI
What is the northern-most GI in New South Wales?
New England Australia
What is the most planted grape in the Southern Highlands GI?
Tempranillo
What are the major rivers of New South Wales?
Murray
Lachlan
Murumbidgee
Hunter
How long is Tyrell’s Vat 1 aged for before release?
5 years
What is the mildew/mold resistant grape grown in Hastings River GI?
Chambourcin
What is the most common style of wine produced in Tumbarumba GI?
Sparkling wine production
