The Australian Wine Regions

Question 1

Quality wine production takes place in 4 of Australia’s 6 states, Name them.

Answer 1

1. New South Wales (NSW),
2. Victoria (VIC) including the Island of Tasmania
3. South Australia (SA) and
4. Western Australia (WA).

• Tasmania (TAS) is politically included as part of Victoria, but it is typically considered a separate entity when it applies to wine.

Question 2

Explain a super Zone.

Answer 2

Australia created two Super Zones. To accommodate large-scale wine producers blending multiple growing sites throughout the country.

These two zones cover many GI’s and, in one case, multiple states.

This allows these producers to use a GI on the label instead of “Product of Australia”.

Even though they list a GI the wines are not site-specific.

Question 3

Important regions of NSW?

Answer 3

Hunter:

Two growing areas: Upper Hunter Valley, and Lower Hunter Valley.

Most premium wine is made in the Lower. Shiraz, Chardonnay, and unwooded Semillon.

Question 4

Important regions of Victoria?

Answer 4

1. Yarra Valley
2. Geelong
3. Heathcote
4. Mornington Peninsula:
5. Rutherglen
6. Tasmania

Question 5

Yarra Valley details please?

Answer 5

1. Australia’s Burgundy. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and cool climate Shiraz.
2. The cool climate, and volcanic based brown and red soils are perfect for Pinot.
3. There are some high quality sparkling wines made here.
4. Chandon Champagne house chose Yarra Valley for its Australian location to make bubbles.

Question 6

Geelong Details please.

Answer 6

Across Port Phillip Bay from Melbourne

Geelong is a premiere site for Pinot Noir & Chardonnay.

The cool climate, exposure to the further cooling affects of Port Phillip Bay, and the poorly drained, volcanic soils set up perfectly for a long growing season that Pinot Noir requires.

Question 7

Heathcote details please

Answer 7

1. Shiraz dominant
2. North of Melbourne.
3. Mineral rich (Cambrian) red clay soils, warm climate and mountain shelter from breezes make this area suitable for elegant Shiraz.

Question 8

Mornington Peninsula details please.

Answer 8

• Challenges Yarra Valley for top Pinot Noir.
• Southeast of Melbourne.
• Its exposure to large bodies of water on all sides keep the climate very cool, but the large hills on either side help protect the vineyards from the strong winds.
• Good Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, cool-climate Shiraz, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Question 9

Tell me about Rutherglen.

Answer 9

Sticky central!

Australia’s wine industry began with fortified wines when they were the popular style in England in the late 1800’s, and were the wines most capable of surviving the trip all the way around the world.

Question 10

tell me about Tasmania:

Answer 10

Possibly one of the coldest wine growing regions on the planet, Tasmania sits just off the coast of Victoria. The main production of this region is for Sparkling wine. The region is so cold that the grapes struggle to get ripe every year. This is what helps keep that high level of acidity that is necessary for sparkling wine.