Victoria Flashcards
1
Q
When/where did viticulture begin in Victoria?
A
1838 at “Yering” in the Yarra Valley
2
Q
What is the main mountain range in Victoria?
A
Great Dividing Range
(Shelters numerous wine regions)
3
Q
Victoria Zones
A
- Central Victoria Zone
- Gippsland
- Northeast Victoria
- Northwest Victoria
- Port Phillip
- Western Victoria
4
Q
GI’s of Central Victoria Zone
A
- Bendigo GI
- Goulburn Vlly GI - Subzone: Nagambie Lake GI
- Heathcote GI
- Strathbogie Ranges GI
- Upper Goulburn GI
5
Q
Bendigo GI
A
- Elevation is an important factor in Bendigo’s viticulture
- Variety of different mesoclimates
- Shiraz, Cab, Merlot, Chard, SB
- The region has hot, dry summers, cool, wet winters Elevation as high as 400 meters
- Soil- Brown loamy sand, clay loam.
- Balgownie Estate
6
Q
Heathcote GI
A
- Bordering Bendigo to the east and is slightly cooler due to the elevation from Mount Camel Ridge
- Mount Camel Range
- Soil: Red cambrian soil, quite rare and unusually deep, up to 4m
- Shiraz, Cab, Merlot, Chard, Riesling
- Producers: Jasper Hill, Domaines Tatiarra, Heathcote Winery
7
Q
Goulburn Valley GI
Nagambie Lakes GI
A
- The state border with New South Wales marks the northernmost limit of Goulburn Valley
- Goulburn River
- Climate: Hot and dry with rivers and lakes playing an important role in moderating temps and providing irrigation.
- Soil- Gravelly sands on valley floor to richer clay loams higher on the hills.
Subregion: Nagambie lakes GI- Most of the action happens here
* Cooler southern end of Goulburn Valley. Large bodies of water including Lake Nagambie and the Goulburn River
* Worlds oldest and largest plantings of Marsanne
* Producers: Tahbilk (planted to Shiraz in 1860)
Box Grove, Monichino
8
Q
Gippsland Zone / GI
A
- Massive, both a zone and a GI
- West Gippsland has a mild climate with a warm, dry autumn.
- East Gippsland has a cool, semi-maritime climate with low rainfall
- South Gippsland is cooler still, with strong maritime influences from the Bass strait.
- Soil- varied clay and sandy loams
- Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
- Producers: Bass Phillip, Caledonia Australis
9
Q
Strathbogie Ranges GI
A
- Warm lower elevations (north) for reds, cool higher elevations for whites (south)
- Chard, SB, PN, Merlot, Shiraz
- Soil: Alluvial sands and sandy loams w/ decomposed granite
- Producers: Plunkett, Dominion Wines
10
Q
Upper Goulburn GI
A
- Upper meaning south
- One of Australia’s coolest climates
- 250-800m elevation
- Goulburn River, Lake Eildon, Great Dividing Range (in the far south)
- Soil: Granite, sandstone, limestone, dolomite
- PN, Merlot, Shiraz, Chard, Riesling, SB
11
Q
GI’s of Northeast Victoria Zone
A
- Alpine Valleys GI
- Beechworth GI
- Glenrowan GI
- King Valley GI
- Rutherglen GI
12
Q
Rutherglen GI
A
- Fortified wine - Famous for “Stickies”
- Red Grapes (83%): Shiraz, Brown Muscat (Muscat Rouge à Petit Grains), Durif
- White Grapes (17%): Muscadelle, Chardonnay, Marsanne
- Fortified Wine Styles: Topaque (formerly “Tokay”), Muscat, Tawny
- Continental climate
- Natural Features: Murray River (Northern boundary), Victorian Alps
- Soil: “Rutherglen” loam (preferred for fortified styles) and “Black Dog” fine sandy loam
- Morris Wines Est. 1859, All Saints Est. 1864
- Producers: Campbells, Chambers, All Saints, Morris, Pfeiffer, Stanton & Killeen
13
Q
What grape is Durif synonymous with in Rutherglen GI?
A
Petite Sirah
14
Q
Muscat of Rutherglen Network’s four tier classification system
A
- Voluntary and self regulating. Minimum age and RS are only suggestions
- Released as blend of vintages
- “Rancio”: Nutty and indicative of oxidative aging
1. Rutherglen Muscat: Orange, rosy aromatics, saccharine frame
2. Classico Muscat: Retains intense varietal aroma but adds concentraion and slight “rancio” tones
3. Grand Muscat: More oxidative style and showing more mature rancio character.
4. Rare Muscat: Oldest , sweetest, concetrated and viscous wines. Should taste at least 20 years old
15
Q
What is “Brown Muscat” known as?
A
Muscat Rouge à Petit Grains
16
Q
Fortified Muscat process in Rutherglen GI
A
- Passerillage is essential for concentration of sugar
- Botrytis is undesireable, as it hinders the terpene character in the wine
- Harvest usually complete by early April
- Short fermentation on skins, pressed after 1-2 days
- Matures for years in used oak. Usually 225L barriques or 300L hogsheads and occasionally 500L puncheons.
- 5% evaporation per year- thus leaving greater sugar and concentration in remaining wine
- Some producers use Solera system
- Topaque (formerly known as Tokay) is the most unique style as it’s made from white instead of red grapes. Specifically Muscadelle. Same process and categories as Muscat. Wines are lighter in color and not as sweet as Muscat in the same category.
17
Q
What is Topaque
A
Fortified wine made from Muscadelle grapes in Rutherglen GI
Not as sweet as the wines from Muscat and lighter in color, as Muscadelle is a white grape
18
Q
Glenrowan GI
A
- Reds and fortified wines, similar to Rutherglen
- Warby Ranges, Lake Mokoan
- Warm continental climate
- Shiraz, Muscat, Topaque
- Soil: Deep red clay, red granitic soil
19
Q
Beechworth GI
A
- Foothills of Victorian Alps
- Cool, continental, sub-alpine
- Soil: Old sandstone, gravel & granite over clay.
- Famous for Giaconda Estate They produce Shiraz, Chard, Cab, PN, Rousanne, Nebbiolo. Warner Vineyard is most popular site
20
Q
Alpine Valleys GI
A
- Cool continental. Sub-alpine region.
- Lies in the foothills of the Victorian Alps.
- Soil- Highly fertile granite, sandy loams and red-brown duplex soils. Alluvial deposits from granite rocks.
- Merlot, PN, SB, Chard, PG as well as Italian varietals- Sangio, Barbera, Nebbiolo
21
Q
King Valley GI
A
- Still, sparkling, fortified
- Strong Italian heritage, home to Australia’s Prosecco, Sangio and others.
- Brown Brothers were first in Australia to experiment with Italian varietals
- High elevation, foothills of the Victorian Alps
- King River
- Soil: Deep red clay, loam
22
Q
GI’s of Northwest Victoria Zone
A
- Murray Darling GI
- Swan Hill GI
*Both straddle NSW and Victoria, and are separated by the Murray River
23
Q
Murray Darling GI
A
- Warmest growing region in Australia, along with Swan Hill GI
- First vines planted 1888
- Soil: Calcareous
- Shiraz, Cab, Chard. plus Italian varietals
24
Q
What is Australia’s longest river?
A
Murray River
25
Q
Swan Hill GI
A
- Warmest growing region in Australia, along with Swan Hill GI
- SE of Murray Darling GI
- Soil: Calcareous
- Shiraz, Cab, Chard. plus Italian varietals
- Murray River
26
Q
GI’s of Port Phillip Zone
A
- Yarra Valley GI
- Mornington Peninsula GI
- Geelong GI
- Sunbury GI
- Macedon Ranges GI
27
Q
Yarra Valley GI
A
- Directly NE of Melbourne
- Cool maritime climate
- Pinot Noir is most planted, Chardonnay is 2nd.
- Shiraz is often labelled Syrah. New oak is uncommon. American oak is rare
- Divided into lower and upper. Lower Yarra Valley in the north is warmer and Upper Yarra Valley in the south is cooler.
- Great Dividing Range borders to the north, Dondenong Ranges to the south.
- Soil: North- Sandy Loam - South- Red basalt
*
28
Q
Producers of Yarra Valley GI
A
- Yering Station
- Yarra Yering
- Mount Mary
- Domaine Chandon
- De Bortoli
- Yarra Yarra
- Coldstream Hills
- Oakridge
- Giant Steps
- Mac Forbes
29
Q
Who makes Dry Red #1 and #2?
A
Yarra Yering
Dry Red #1 (BDX blend)
Dry Red #2 (Southern Rhone)
30
Q
Mornington Peninsula GI
A
- Divides Port Phillip Bay from Bass Strait
- Maritime climate
- PN, Shiraz, Cab, Chard, PG
- Soil: Hard yellow/brown dupex soil
31
Q
Geelong GI
A
- Across the bay from Mornington Peni
- Mostly PN
- Driest GI in Port Phillip Zone
- Soil: Red/brown clay loam
32
Q
Sunbury GI
A
- Dry maritime influenced
- Shiraz, Cab, Chard, Semillon, SB
33
Q
Macedon Ranges GI
A
- High elevation and wind chill makes for the coolest growing region in mainland Australia
- Soil: Sadstone and shale. Low fertility mountain soils, granitic sandy loam
- PN, Riesling, Chard, Shiraz
34
Q
GI’s of Western Victoria Zone
A
- Grampians GI- Subregion: Great Western GI
- Pyrenees GI
- Henty GI
35
Q
Grampians / Great Western GI’s
A
- Western edge of where the GDR ends
- Home to Australia’s firt ever sparkling wine-1890
- Mostly Shiraz, Cab, Riesling
- Moderate cool climate
- Great Western GI is a higher elevation and cooler climate
- Seppelt -sparkling producer
36
Q
Henty GI
A
- Located in SW corner of Victoria
- PN, Chard, Riesling, PG
- Cool climate
- Soil: Basalt with gravelly loam
37
Q
Pyrenees GI
A
- Foothills and Pyrenees Range
- Very end of GDR
- Shiraz, Cab, Merlot, PN, Chard, Sparkling
