Yarra Valley

Question 1

Where is Yarra Valley located?

Answer 1

Inland and to the north-east of Melbourne

Question 2

How many hectared is Yara Valley?

Answer 2

2,500 ha

Question 3

Climatic and growing conditions?

Answer 3

Yarra Valley has a cool to moderate climate
There is considerable variation due
to altitude: vineyards range from around 50 to 350 m. The valley is typically split into the
Upper and Lower Yarra Valley. The Lower Yarra refers to the warmer, lower altitude sites in the
north-west of the valley, whereas the Upper Yarra refers to the cooler, higher altitude sites in
the south-east
Annual rainfall is over 1,100 mm making it one of the wettest wine regions in Australia. On
average, 450–500 mm falls in the growing season. Therefore, there is often high humidity and fungal disease is an issue.
Frosts can also be a threat in coold years especially in flat terrain

Question 4

What are the soils of Yarra Valley?

Answer 4

The soils are varied: broadly speaking, in the Lower Yarra the loamy
clay soil is low in fertility and well drained, meaning irrigation is still often necessary, whereas
in the Upper Yarra, there are deeper and more fertile volcanic soils which can be dry-farmed

Question 5

Which varieties are grown?

Answer 5

whites: Chardonnay

reds: Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 6

Describe the style, quality and price of Yarra Valley Chardonnay with reference to winemaking

Answer 6

The region was one of the first to move
away from the fuller-bodied, oaky, tropical fruit style which dominated Australian Chardonnay
for many years
The wines still often have high acidity but now have more fruit (peach, grapefruit), especially
from warmer sites. Both new and used oak vessels are used for fermentation and maturation
(again, with a growing preference for larger formats), a high degree of solids may be used
in fermentation to give a wider range of flavours (e.g. smoky notes from reductive sulfur
compounds), and often there is some lees contact to enhance texture. Malolactic conversion is
still often avoided. The wines range from good to outstanding and are mid- to premium priced.

Question 7

Describe Yarra Valley Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon

Answer 7

Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon are grown successfully in the lower, warmer parts of the
region. Yarra Valley Shiraz is medium-bodied with fresh blackberry, raspberry and plum fruit
and spicy notes, often enhanced by the use of whole bunch fermentation, whilst Cabernet
Sauvignon is medium bodied with distinctive herbal characteristics. Some have overt oak
characteristics. The best still have considerable ageing potential. Cabernet Sauvignon is also
used in blends, mainly with Merlot.

Question 8

Significant producers

Answer 8

Mount Mary and Yarra Yering