South Australia Flashcards
South Australia Capital
Adelaide
South Australia Climate Overview
- broad range of climates
- warm,dry, mediterranean moderated by oceans
- cooler sites in high elevations
Major Zones Of South Oz to know`
- Limestone Coast Zone
- Lower Murray Zone
- Fleurieu Zone
- Barossa Zone
Limestone Coast GIs
- Coonawarra GI
- Padthaway GI
- Wrattonbully GI
- Robe GI
- Mount Benson GI
- Mount Gambier GI
Coonawarra Climate
- cool, maritime
- spring frost is a chief hazard
Coonawarra Soils
- best vineyards in single narrow 9 mile strip w/ Terra Rossa soil [vivid red soil over limestone]
- not all vineyards on terra rossa
Coonawarra Producers
- Majella
- Wynns’ “John Riddoch”
- Parker Estate’s “First Growth”
Padthaway Climate
-slightly warmer than coonawarra
Padthaway Soils
-terra rossa in some areas
Padthaway Grapes
- Cabernet Sauvignon (similiar to coonawarra)
- Riesling & Chardonnay are 40% of plantings
Lower Murray Zone GIs
-Riverland GI [sole GI]
Riverland GI Climate/Viticulture
- continental and hot
- water shortages make future uncertain
- heavily irrigated, bulk wine-producing
Fleurieu Zone GIs to know
-McLaren Vale GI
McLaren Vale Climate
- Mediterranean climate
- tempered by Southern Ocean/Lake Alexandrina
McLaren Vale Grapes
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Shiraz
- Grenache
- Mourvèdre (Mataro)
McLaren Vale Producers
- D’Arenberg’s “Dead Arm” Shiraz
- Clarendon Hills’ “Astralis” Shiraz
Mount Lofty Ranges Zone GIs
- Adelaide Hills GI
- Adelaide Plains GI
- Clare Valley GI
Adelaide Hills Climate
-maritime
Adelaide Hills Grapes/Style
- Sauvignon Blancs & Chardonnay
- Pinot Noir
- Still & sparkling wines both which retain great acidity
Clare Valley Climate
- warm continental
- hot days/cool nights
Clare Valley Grapes
- Riesling
- Shiraz
- Cabernet Sauvignon
Clare Valley Vinification/Stlye
- dry Rieslings buoyed by lime candy, petrol, and tropical notes
- fuller bodied/higher alcohol typically than old world counterparts
Clare Valley Producers
-Grosset [master of Riesling, early proponent of screw-caps]
Adelaide GI
-superzone allowing blending from Barossa, Fleurieu, and Mount Lofty Ranges
Barossa Zone GIs
Barossa Valley GI
Eden Valley GI
Barossa Valley Climate
-mediterranean
Barossa Valley Grapes
- Shiraz
- Grenache
- Cabernet Sauvignon
Barossa Valley Viticulture
-150 yr old vines common [prevention of phylloxera in this area]
Barossa Valley Vinification
- traditionally “Hogshead” [American Oak 300 liter] barrels frequently used to age wine
- now French Oak barriques common as well
- critical darling Shiraz’s: opaque, dense, heavily extracted, and full of dark fruit and chocolate
- Co-fermentation with Viognier, in the style of Côte-Rôtie on the rise
Barossa Valley Producers
- Penfolds [much of Grange fruit from here]
- Torbreck
- Peter Lehmann
- Rockford
Eden Valley Climate
-varied and dynamic
Eden Valley Grapes
- Riesling
- Chardonnay
- Viognier
- Shiraz
- Cabernet Sauvignon
Eden Valley Style
-Rieslings made dry
Eden Valley Producers
- Yalumba
- Pewsey Vale
- Henschke [famed “Hill of Grace” Shiraz]