Victoria Flashcards
When/where did viticulture begin in Victoria?
1838 at “Yering” in the Yarra Valley
What is the main mountain range in Victoria?
Great Dividing Range
(Shelters numerous wine regions)
Victoria Zones
- Central Victoria Zone
- Gippsland
- Northeast Victoria
- Northwest Victoria
- Port Phillip
- Western Victoria
GI’s of Central Victoria Zone
- Bendigo GI
- Goulburn Vlly GI - Subzone: Nagambie Lake GI
- Heathcote GI
- Strathbogie Ranges GI
- Upper Goulburn GI
Bendigo GI
- 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
Heathcote GI
- 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
Goulburn Valley GI
Nagambie Lakes GI
- 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
Gippsland Zone / GI
- 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
Strathbogie Ranges GI
- 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
Upper Goulburn GI
- 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
GI’s of Northeast Victoria Zone
- Alpine Valleys GI
- Beechworth GI
- Glenrowan GI
- King Valley GI
- Rutherglen GI
Rutherglen GI
- 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
What grape is Durif synonymous with in Rutherglen GI?
Petite Sirah
Muscat of Rutherglen Network’s four tier classification system
- 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
What is “Brown Muscat” known as?
Muscat Rouge à Petit Grains