South Australia Flashcards
How did South Australia become the number 1 winemaking state?
SA did not have a phylloxera problem, which wiped out vineyards in Victoria in late 1800s. (SA had a total ban on vine imports in 1874)
Name the 8 major winemaking ZONES in South Australia
Adelaide Superzone Barossa Fleurieu Mount Loft Ranges Limestone Coast Lower Murray The Peninsulas Far North
What other zones are encompassed by the Adelaide Superzone?
Barossa, Fleurieu, Mount Lofty Ranges
Who brought wine/vine culture to Barossa?
The German-speaking Prussians, with Johann Gramp planting along Jacob’s Creek, establishing Orlando Wines.
What is Barossa’s age categories for vines?
Old Vines (35 year) Survivor Vines (70 year) Centenarian Vines (100 year) Ancestor Vine (125 year)
Barossa Zone is split into which GIs?
Barossa Valley, Eden Valley
Eden Valley’s subregion?
High Eden (Chardonnay)
How can Eden Valley grow riesling when neighboring Barossa plans hot Shiraz?
Eden Valley si cooler, higher in elevation (400-600m), rolling hills, poor rocky soils.
Name two producers from Eden Valley
Henschke (Hill of Grace here), Pewsey Vale.
High Eden is best fit to what grape?
Chardonnay, first brought by Mountadam
Climate and soils of Barossa Valley
Warm continental, region 3. Hot flat, deep loamy clay.
Kangaroo Island, McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek, Currency Creek are in what Zone?
Fleurie
Difference between Barossa Shiraz and McLaren Vale Shiraz?
Barossa: hot, full throttle Shiraz with more American Oak and style of Blending from sites.
McLaren Vale: New French Oak, more mediterranean climate, iron rich notes. Still big with soft tannin.
What is Scarce Earth Project?
McLaren Vale Sustainable Winegroweing Australia members can submit shiraz from single sites, min 10 year old vines with moderated oak to tasting panels to be included as a “Scarce Earth” Wine. Focus on site and geology.
Where is savory, Rhone like Grenache found in South Australia?
McLaren Vale, in old hogsheads or 500L puncheons rather than new barrique.
What zone is Clare Valley found?
Mount Lofty Ranges Zone
Name 3 producers in Clare Valley
Jim Barry, Grosse, Kilikanoon, Wendouree
Climate in Clare Valley?
Moderate to Warm Continental (Region 2-3)- elevation dependent.
Where is Watervale and Polish Hill Vineyards found?
Clare Valley (Grosset)
Clare Valley’s #1 planted varietal
Shiraz
Why does Riesling grow well on Clare Valley?
High elevation with cool region 2 climate, long growing season, blue slate bedrock.
What wines are Adelaide Hills known for?
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Wine, Cool Climate and Sparkling Shiraz
What are Adelaide Hill’s 2 subregions and their best grapes?
Picadilly - Chardonnay
Lenswood - Sauvignon Blanc
Difference between Adelaide Hills and Adelaide Plains
Adelaide Plains is warmest, dryest in Adelaide Super Zone, not ideal for great growing.
Adelaide Hills is coolest and rainiest
Name all GIs in Mount Lofty Ranges
Adelaide Hills, Lenswood, Picadilly
Adelaide Plains
Clare Valley
Why is terrarossa such an important soil type?
Excellent for Cabernet Sauvignon: Soft, permiable Limestone beneath iron rich clay loam, giving good water retention during dry summers.
How is Coonawara different than Bordeaux?
Cooler than Medoc, but dryer as well, experiencing more sunglight hours during slow growing season.
What region other than Coonawara has success with Cab Sav on terrarosa soil?
Wrattonbully
Major flavor profile of Coonawara cab?
Mint (eucalyptus groves surround)
Major grape for Coonawara?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Name 3 more regions in Limestone Coast, other than Coonawara and Wrattonbully
Mount Gambier, Mount Benson, Robe, Padhaway,
Whats going on in Lower Murray Zone?
Riverland GI is Australia’s leader in production of table value wines, which grow well in fertile, sandy soils in a hot environment.
What GI is in the Far North Zone?
Southern Flinders
Name three producers from Barossa
Yalumba, Penfolds, Rockford, Chris Ringland, Torbreck
Producers from McLaren Vale
Clarendon Hills, Yangarra, Molly Dooker, D’Arenberg, Two Hands
