Australia Flashcards
If a wine is labelled “Barossa”, where are the grapes from?
Barossa Valley and/or Eden Valley
Describe the climate and grape growing of Australia.
Main growing regions are warm or hot climate
Many regions cooled by water, ocean, or altitude (Indian Ocean and Murray River)
Droughts and bush fires serious issues
What are the main black grapes of Australia?
Shiraz: Principal grape of either color, grown in most regions. Hot regions (Hunter Valley, Barossa Valley) make classic Australian style. Cooler regions (Geelong, Heathcote) make Rhone style
Cab Sauv: Darker, firmer tannins, higher acid than Shiraz
Merlot
Pinot Noir: Grown in cooler regions
Grenache: Hot regions good for late ripening varieties
What are the main white grapes of Australia?
Chardonnay: Most planted white, variety of styles
Riesling: Unique style.
Lemon, lime, grapefruit in youth.
Toast, petrol, honey with age.
Sauv Blanc: Concentrated passion fruit with refreshing acidity
Semillon: Unique style in Australia (Hunter Valley)
Harvested early (low sugar, high acid), minimum oxygen contact in winery, inert vessels for ferm. and aging.
Low alc, neutral flavor, honest & toast with age (can age 20+ years)
Describe Australian wine laws.
Zone - Largest area w/o particular qualifying attributes
Region - Consistent & distinct qualities
Sub-region - Notable regions with distinct & unique qualities (are split into sub-regions)
Sub-regions must fall within one region, but they can be covered by several zones
Size: zone > region > sub-region
Describe the South Eastern Australia zone.
“Super-zone” that covers South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland
Takes advantage of economies of scale
Blending across multiple GIs is allowed
Generally high volume and low quality
Riverina (New South Wales) also makes noble rot wine from Semillon (mist and fog)
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of Tasmania?
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Cool maritime, cooled by Southern Ocean winds
Makes still and sparkling
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of New South Wales?
New South Wales has longest history of wine production in Australia.
Hunter Valley - Semillon
Hot, humid climate cooled by high cloud cover and ocean breeze.
Creates unique style of Semillon
What are the 5 winemaking regions of Victoria?
Yarra Valley Mornington Peninsula Geelong Heathcote Goulburn
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of Yarra Valley?
Pinot Noir
Cool-Mod maritime, but varies with aspect & altitude
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of Mornington Peninsula?
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Cool-Mod maritime, cool/wet/windy weather at harvest & flowering makes vintages vary
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of Geelong?
Chardonnay
Cool-Mod maritime, chardonnay is high quality, complex, full body
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of Heathcote?
(No major grapes to note)
Mod climate, cooled by altitude
What are the main regions, grapes, and climates of Goulburn Valley?
Marsanne
Warm climate mitigated by lakes and creeks
What are the 6 winemaking regions of South Australia?
Barossa Valley Eden Valley Clare Valley Adelaide Hills McLaren Vale Coonawara
