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Old_Full > Ch. 31 – Australia > Flashcards

Ch. 31 – Australia Flashcards

1
Q

Wine history of Australia

A

Phylloxera in Europe prompted exports from Australia
- after phylloxera, focus returned to domestic market
- fortified wines

1950s
- major companies founded
- e.g. Penfolds
- started to modernize the industry (steel and temperature control)

Wine Australia (1980s)
- focus on export markets
- modern, varietal labelling with style descriptors
- world’s fifth largest exporter

Since 1990s:
- plantings fallen
- due to oversupply and higher competition
- shift towards quality

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2
Q

Climate in Australia

A

Very favourable environment for viti
- intense sunshine due to low latitude
- low rainfall, low humidity
- grapes ripen reliably

Wide range of climates
- hot continental Murray-Darling Basin
- most regions rely on cooling influences

Relatively flat
- cooling influence of ocean can travel long distance inland (e.g. Coonawarra)
- producers increasingly looking to higher altitude areas

Great Dividing Ridge
- protects southern regions from tropical weather coming from Pacific
- creates rain shadow in some regions

Challenges:
- Spring frost can be issue in colder areas
- Winds from ocean reduce frost but can disrupt flowering
- Drought is a constant problem

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3
Q

Soil in Australia

A

Very complex geology
- all known rock types can be found

Some regions are known for distinct soils
- Terra rossa in Coonawarra

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4
Q

Vineyard management in Australia

A

Irrigation
- even in wet regions, due to free-draining soils
- Murray-Darling Basin rivers (but even these have run low in dry years)
- Rainwater collected in dams
- Underground water sources
- recycled wastewater
- as sustainable as possible, e.g. drip irrigation

High vigor
- due to heat + irrigation
- old vines naturally reduce vigor
- Scott-Henry, Smart-Dyson can be used for newer vines

Heavily mechanized
- aided by wide spacing and flat or gently sloping vineyards
- relatively high labour costs
- remote locations
- some harvesting by hand for premium wines
- reduce damage, greater sorting, and whole bunches

Soil salinity
- not enough rain to carry away salt deposited from irrigation
- more difficult for vine to get water
- reduced vigor
- Chardonnay very sensitive
- managed by rootstock and changing irrigation patterns to larger volumes of water at less frequency

Bush fires and smoke taint

Phylloxera
- many regions did not have problem
- quarantine and biosecurity laws
- rootstocks still used to deal with soil salinity and acidity
- present in Victoria and NSW

Low humidity
- ideal for sustainable/organic
- exceptions such as Hunter Valley

Pests = kangaroos and birds

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5
Q

Evolution of Australian wine styles

A

Originally full-bodied, ripe, fruity wines with plenty of oak

Now, more diversity
- site selection
- vineyard management
- precise harvest dates

Experimentation
- ambient yeast
- skin contact
- lees contact
- solids in ferment
- whole bunch and stem inclusion

Screwcap is most common closure

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6
Q

Shiraz in Australia

A

25% of all plantings

Warmer regions:
- full bodied, high in alcohol, high level of soft tannins
- pronounced aroma of dark fruits and earthy, spicy tones
- Develops leather

Cooler regions
- less fruit intensity and distinct black pepper aroma

Trend toward less intense, more approachable style
- reducing extraction
- whole bunch
- reducing new oak
- American oak is traditional, French increasing used

Widely used in blends
- GSM, Shiraz-Viognier, Bordeaux varieties

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7
Q

Cabernet Sauvignon in Australia

A

Single varietal or blends (Bordeaux or Shiraz)

Cooler or warmer climate
- higher acidity and tannin than Shiraz
- ripe black fruit (blackcurrant and cherry)
- oak

Leading regions:
- Coonawara, with distinctive mint and eucalyptus aromas
- Margaret River, where it’s slightly riper in style and often blended with Merlot

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8
Q

Merlot in Australia

A

Widely used in blends but also single-varietal

Wìde range of styles

Better clones introduced in recent years
- raising quality

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9
Q

Pinot Noir in Australia

A

Cool or moderate climates
- Yarra Valley
- Mornington Peninsula
- Tasmania
- med body, med alcohol, high acidity, red fruit (cherry, raspberry)

Whole bunch, cold maceration, stem inclusion

Often matured in French oak
- new oak is declining

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10
Q

Grenache in Australia

A

GSM blends with Shiraz and Mataro

Old bush vines (McLaren Vale, Barossa)
- modern style has greater freshness, higher acidity, lower alcohol and fresher fruit
- sometimes proportion of whole bunches or stems
- Small new oak barrels tend to overwhelm it
- large barrels or old oak

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11
Q

Chardonnay in Australia

A

Almost in every region

Ripe fruit (citrus, peach), med (med+) acidity and well-integrated oak
- ambient yeast
- high levels of solids
- barrel ferment
- lees ageing
- barrel maturation (French oak)
- malo depends on climate

Sometimes blended with Semillon

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12
Q

Sauvignon Blanc in Australia

A

Cooler climate regions
- Adelaide Hills
- citrus, tropical notes
- less herbaceous than Marlborough

Warmer regions for inexpensive wines grown at high yields

Usually fermented in steel
- sometimes lees contact or barrel fermented

Sometimes blended with Semillon

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13
Q

Semillon in Australia

A

Single varietal or blended with SB or Chardonnay

Hunter Valley
- Low alcohol, high acidity, unoaked style
- fairly neutral in youth
- develops with bottle age

Barossa
- fuller bodied, higher alcohol and oak notes

Sweet botrytised wines in Riverina

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14
Q

Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio in Australia

A

Italian style:
- picked early

Alsace style:
- riper, fruitier, spicier, fuller bodied

Mornington Peninsula, Tasmania

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15
Q

Riesling in Australia

A

Cooler regions
- Clare and Eden Valleys
- Tasmania

Bone dry, high acidity (apple, lemon, lime, grapefruit)

Fermented in steel
- experimentation with skin contact and lees aging

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16
Q

System of GIs in Australia

A

Zones
- no rules regarding boundaries and no requirements for shared geographic or climatic characteristics
- can cover entire state

Regions
- must have consistent and distinct qualities
- must produce at least 500 tonnes of grapes a year across at least 5 differently owned vineyards
- Tasmania is a region (not a zone)

Sub-regions
- particular topography, climates, soils

Gives range of labelling options

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17
Q

Labelling law in Australia

A

governed by:
- Label Integrity Programme (LIP)

If GI, vintage or grape is stated
- 85% of grapes must conform

No GI-based rules for growing or winemaking

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18
Q

South Eastern Australia Zone

A

Covers whole Victoria, NSW and Tasmania + corners of South Australia and Queensland

Allows blending across the zone
- high volume wines

Mostly from Murray-Darling Basin
- Riverland
- Riverina
- Murray-Darling

Hot continental climate
- rivers provide slight cooling influence
- rain shadow of Great Dividing Range
- sandy free-draining soil
- rivers provide irrigation water, but can run low in dry years

HQ for some of Australia’s biggest producers:
- e.g. De Bortoli

Shiraz, Chardonnay, Semillon
- ripe, med body, high alcohol, low acidity

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19
Q

South Australia Zones and Regions

A

Barossa Zone
- Barossa Valley
- Eden Valley

Mount Lofty Ranges Zone
- Adelaide Hills
- Clare Valley

Fleurieu Zone
- McLaren Vale

Limestone Coast Zone
- Coonawara

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20
Q

Victoria Zones and Regions

A

Port Phillip Zone
- Yarra Valley
- Morninton Peninsula
- Geelong
- Macedon Ranges

Western Victoria Zone
- Grampians
- Pyrenees
- Henty

North East Victoria Zone
- King Valley
- Beechworth

Central Victoria Zone
- Goulburn Valley
- Bendigo
- Uppel Goulburn
- Heathcote

Gippsland Zone

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21
Q

New South Wales zones and regions

A

Hunter Valley Zone
- Hunter

Central Ranges Zone
- Orange
- Mudgee
- Cowra

Southern New South Wales Zone
- Canberra District
- Hilltops
- Tumbarumba

Big Rivers

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22
Q

Western Australia Zones and regions

A

South West Ausralia Zone
- Margaret River
- Great Southern
- Albany
- Denmark
- Mount Barker
- Frankland River
- Porongurup

Greater Perth

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23
Q

South Australia

A

Largest wine producing state by volume (50%)

Diversity of climate, topography and soils
- from light, fresh whites to heavy reds

Some prestigious wines are multi-regional blends and labeled as South Australia
- e.g. Penfolds Grange

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24
Q

Barossa Valley

A

Plain protected by low hills to the west and Mount Lofty Ranges to the north, south, and east

Sheltered location
- warm climate
- low rainfall during growing season
- irrigation necessary
- low disease pressure
- valley sides a bit cooler
- some blend between plains and hillsides

Complex soils
- ironstone layer in the north
- retains water
- some of the most ageworthy wines

Large stock of old vines
- Shiraz, Grenache
- low yielding, dry-farmed
- Barossa Old Vine Charter
- many old vines lost due to vine pull scheme in the 80s

Shiraz (66%)
- full body, high alcohol, soft tannins, ripe (cooked, dried) fruit
- American oak is traditional (French is increasing)
- spicy, leathery with bottle age
- some have started harvesting earlier

Cabernet Sauvignon
- cooler, higher sites
- richer, riper than Coonawara or Margaret

  • Grenache and Rhone blends
  • tropical Chardonnay
  • distinctive Semillon, with higher alcohol and lower acidity than Hunter
  • whites traditionally barrel-fermented
25
Q

Eden Valley

A

In Barossa Zone (not valley at all, rolling hills)
- part of Mount Lofty Ranges
- can be steep enough to limit mechanization
- cooler with altitude

More exposed
- higher rainfall than Barossa Valley
- strong wind can affect flowering

Soils with good water holding capacity
- dry farming common

Known for old vines
- Shiraz, Riesling, Grenache

Equal production of white and red
- Riesling is signature
- dry, high acidity, med alcohol (lemon, lime, floral)
- can age very well (honey, nuts, toast)

Shiraz
- higher acidity, more structured tannins, lower alcohol (compared to Barossa)

26
Q

Adelaide Hills region

A

(part of Mount Lofty Ranges Zone)

Characterized by valleys and steep hillsides
- restricts mechanization
- variety of aspects, topography, soils

Cool to moderate maritime climate
- moderation from altitude and ocean
- high diurnal range
- retain acidity

Full-bodied reds at lower altitudes

Whites and Pinot at higher altitudes
- due to low latitude, sunlight is intense so fruit is riper than expected

Relatively high rainfall levels
- collected in dams + underground water for irrigation
- relatively high humidity (fungal diseases require spraying)

Sauvignon Blanc (ripe fruit)

Chardonnay (stone fruit)
- malo, oak, and lees aging common

Pinot Noir
- tend to have firmer tannins than Victoria

Shiraz in both styles, but less grown here than in most regions

27
Q

Clare Valley

A

(part of Month Lofty Ranges Zone)

Shallow valley within a series of ridges and hills

Warm climate
- tempered by cool afternoon breezes and cold nights
- wide diurnal range
- 300-500m

White grapes on higher exposed sites, black grapes on lower, warmer sites

Not particularly steep slopes
- mechanization possible

Rain mostly during winter
- dams for irrigation
- low humidity
- low disease pressure
- dry-farming for some premium wines grown at lower yields

Known for Riesling
- sunburn issue (shady canopies)
- dry, lime aroma, higher acidity than in Eden

Shiraz, Cabernet
- eucalyptus, minty notes

28
Q

Two sites for Riesling in Clare Valley

A

Polish Hill
- slate soils
- low fertility
- flinty, less aromatic
- more suitable for ageing

Watervale
- limestone soils
- more fertile
- more aromatic, floral

29
Q

McLaren Vale

A

(part of Fleurieu Zone)

Gulf St. Vincent to west and Adelaide Hills to east

Maritime climate
- warm to hot summers
- winds from Gulf and coming down from hills moderate temps
- lower disease pressure

Low rainfall during growing season
- low disease pressure
- ideal for organic

Altitude and proximity to sea determine the microclimate
- most vineyards flat or gently sloping

Soils:
- poor in the north
- more fertile in the south (higher yields)

90% red (high volume to premium)
- Mainly Shiraz then Cabernet, Grenache
- tend to be full-bodied high alcohol
- at low altitudes, can be jammy
- large stock of old bush vines from Shiraz, Grenache
- increased interest in Mediterranean varieties (e.g. Sangiovese, Fiano) which can retain acidity despite warmth

Dominated by large vineyards
- planted to allow mechanization
- smaller, premium producers tend to work with lower yields and hand-pick

Lot of organic and biodynamic
- created Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, which aims to minimize environmental impact, promote sustainable water use
- irrigation water almost all from sustainable sources

30
Q

Coonawara

A

Part of Limestone Coast Zone

Moderate climate
- moderated by sea breezes
- compared to Bordeaux
- wide diurnal range
- relatively flat, so maritime influence can travel far inland
- cloud cover moderates temperature

Relatively low rainfall during growing season
- irrigation widely used but some dry-farm
- water from underground aquifers

Challenges:
- rain and wind during flowering and fruit set
- spring frost (sprinklers)

Terra rossa soil
- free draining iron-rich loam over limestone base that vines struggle to penetrate
- slightly alkaline, which reduces uptake of nutrients
- controls vigor
- low yields of concentrated grapes
- expensive locations

Other locations, not on terra rossa, are more vigorous and produce higher yields of less concentrated grapes

Cabernet (mint, eucalyptus, oak ageing)
Shiraz (lighter than Barossa; herbal)
Chardonnay, Riesling

Remote location
- problem with labor availability
- prompted mechanization
- now, relying on more migrant labor

31
Q

Victoria general

A

3rd state in terms of production
- more focused on quality (beside Murray-Darling Basin)
- smaller producers
- higher prices

Phylloxera remains threat here
- number of recent outbreaks (Yarra Valley)
- quarantine and biosecurity laws
- replanting program underway

32
Q

Yarra Valley

A

(part of Port Phillip Zone)

Cool to moderate climate with maritime influence
- 50-350m
- Upper Yarra = cooler, higher altitude
- Lower Yarra = warmer, lower altitude
- frost can be a danger on valley floor (cold air sinking)

One of the wettest regions in Australia
- high humidity
- fungal disease threat

Soils:
- Lower Yarra
- well-draining
- irrigation needed
- Upper Yarra
- deeper, volcanic soils
- can be dry-farmed

Pinot Noir most planted
- light-bodied from Upper Yarra
- med-bodied from Lower Yarra (riper)
- whole bunch increasing
- mix of new and used oak
- trend for old and larger (foudres)

Chardonnay
- white peach, grapefruit, melon
- one of first regions to move from oaky tropical full style
- new and old oak used
- may use high degree of solids (smoky, reductive)
- some lees contact
- malo often avoided

Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon (herbal)
- lower, warmer areas

33
Q

Mornington Peninsula

A

(Part of Port Phillip Zone)

Port Phillip Bay on one side and Bass Strait (separates from Tasmania) on the other

Cool to moderate climate
- strong cooling influence of wind (avoids frost)
- moderating influence of water
- mild autumn conditions
- extends growing season
- high humidity (disease limited by wind)
- moderate rainfall during growing season

Relatively flat (but Red Hill ridge runs along center of Peninsula)
- up to 250m
- red basalt soils
- retain winter water
- no irrigation needed
- fertile soils
- vigor can be problem
- Lyre trellising
- away from the ridge, soil is free-draining and irrigation is needed

Pinot Noir (50%)
- light-bodied, perfumed from Red Hill
- fuller-bodied, riper from flatter areas
- cold soaking often practised
- whole bunch or stem inclusion may be used
- many aged in French oak (proportion new)

Chardonnay (30%)
- med body, high acidity
- lees aging and oak aging (only small % of new)
- some use malo for rounder style

Shiraz, Pinot Gris

High land prices (tourism and holiday homes)
- small wineries with cellar doors and restaurants

34
Q

Geelong

A

(Part of Port Phillip Zone)

where Phiylloxera was first discovered in Australia

Cool climate
- close to Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait
- moderate rainfall
- strong winds reduce humidity and disease risk

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in cooler sites
- riper and fuller-bodied than Yarra
- proportion of whole bunches

Shiraz and Cabernet in warmer sites
- Shiraz is med-bodied with spice

35
Q

Macedon Ranges

A

(Part of Port Phillip Zone)

~40 small quality-focused wineries

part of Great Dividing Range
- up to 800m
- one of coolest climates in Australia
- careful site selection is essential, to reduce frost and enhance ripening

Soils:
- shallow soils on hillsides, which naturally reduces yields
- deeper soils on lower slopes

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

Riesling (lemon-lime)

Shiraz
- distinctive black pepper
- needs a warmer site

36
Q

Grampians & Pyrenees

A

Part of Western Victoria Zone

Extension of Great Dividing Ridge

Moderate climate & altitude
- wide diurnal range (retaining acidity)
- can be dry-farmed (good soil)

Pyrenees is lower, warmer than Grampians
- otherwise similar climate/soils

Shiraz
- medium body, peppery and spicy
- vary from fresh red fruit (cool sites) to concentrated black fruit (warmer sites)

37
Q

Henty

A

Part of Western Victoria Zone

One of the coldest mainland regions
- close to coast
- influenced by cold Antarctic winds
- but high number of sunshine hours
- 0-460m

Riesling
- high acidity, pronounced lemon, lime

Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Cabernet (all fresh styles with moderate alcohol)

38
Q

King Valley

A

Part of North East Victoria Zone

up to 860m (among highest in country)
- very cool temperatures
- relatively high rainfall (disease risk)
- temperatures rise down the slope, but still moderated by river and altitude
- generally well-drained loam with high fertility (vigor)

Lighter-bodied whites in higher sites; fuller-bodied whites/reds in lower sites

Cabernet, Merlot are most planted reds

Settled by Italian immigrants
- Pinot Grigio
- Prosecco
- Sangiovese, Barbera, Nebbiolo

Majority consumed domestically
- difficult to sell internationally due to competition with Italy
- relatively expensive due to small volume
- increase in exports lately due to interest in different varieties

39
Q

Beechworth

A

Part of North East Victoria Zone

in foothills of Great Dividing Range
- huge range of altitudes
- up to 1,000m
- wide range of microclimates

Chardonnay, Shiraz (med bodied)

40
Q

Goulburn Valley

A

Part of Central Victoria Zone

warm flat plains

Ripe full bodied reds
+ Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne

41
Q

Bendigo

A

Part of Central Victoria Zone

warm flat plains

Ripe full bodied reds

42
Q

Upper Goulburn

A

Part of Central Victoria Zone

cooler region in foothills of Great Dividing Range
- high quality Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc

43
Q

Heathcote

A

Part of Central Victoria Zone

narrow strip along Mount Carmel Range at 160-320m
- altitude moderates temperature
- winds funneled along slopes
- wide diurnal range
- no frost problems, due to slopes
- low rainfall during growing season
- calcareous red soil that retains water
- dry-farming is common

Dominated by reds (especially Shiraz)
- Shiraz (distinctive high acidity, full body, high alcohol, ripe dark fruit)
- up to outstanding quality

Producer: Heathcote Estate

44
Q

Gippsland Zone

A

Mostly small family owned wineries

Coastal flats and hillside slopes

high rainfall during growing season
- due to tropical weather systems

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir widely grown

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot in warmer sites

45
Q

New South Wales general information

A

Second largest producing state

North of Sydney:
- sub-tropical climate
- moderate to high temperatures
- high humidity and rainfall
- Hunter Valley heavily influenced

Most other regions protected from tropical weather by Great Dividing Range
- continental climate
- hot and dry
- Big Rivers Zone (Riverina)

Altitude also plays role as cooling influence

46
Q

Hunter Valley Zone

A

One region
- Hunter (slightly smaller area than Hunter Valley Zone)

3 official sub-regions but also often split unofficially into Lower Hunter and Upper Hunter

Almost tropical climate
- one of the hottest and most humid regions in Australia
- relatively cool nights
- low latitude = intense sunshine
- afternoon cloud cover
- plentiful rain during growing season
- high humidity (fungal diseases!)
- irrigation not required
- exposed to tropical storms

Topography:
- east of Great Dividing Range
- rolling hills
- relatively low altitude
- loam soils, over clay base

Lower Hunter
- closer to coast
- sea breezes
- slightly cooler

Equal amounts of white and red

Semillon
Chardonnay (oaked and unoaked)
Shiraz (med bodied, aged in large oak)

47
Q

Hunter Semillon expression and winemaking

A

Hunter Valley Semillon
- dry, light bodied, high acidity, low alcohol
- delicate citrus, neutral in youth
- can age for decades (toast, honey, hay)
- picked early, pressed without skin contact
- fermented at moderate temp in steel and finished in bottle shortly after
- often aged in bottle before release
- rarely see any oak

Producer: Tyrrell’s

48
Q

Central Ranges Zone

A

Just inland of Great Dividing Range
- protection from tropical weather
- lower rainfall
- irrigation often needed

Continental climate
- cooling influence from altitude
- wide diurnal range
- spring frost can be an issue
- intense sunlight due to low latitude

49
Q

Orange

A

Part of Central Ranges
(Often labelled ‘Orange Region’)

Vineyards on slopes of Mount Canobolas (volcano)
- 600-900m
- windy = lower frost pressure

Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon planted on lower, warmer slopes (med bodied)

Chardonnay (planted higher)
- high acidity
- malo is typical
- subtle oak, potential to age

50
Q

Mudgee

A

Part of Central Ranges Zone
(adjacent to Hunter Valley)

Lower and warmer than Orange
- riper fruit

Black varieties dominate
- Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon

51
Q

Cowra

A

Part of Central Ranges Zone

Lower and warmer than Orange
- riper fruit

Dominated by Chardonnay

52
Q

Canberra District

A

Part of Southern New South Wales

Sheltered from maritime influence by hills and Snowy Mountains
- continental climate
- altitude provides cooling influence
- 500-850m
- large diurnal range
- high light intensity due to altitude
- frost can be issue
- relatively dry summer = irrigation

Mainly black varieties
- Shiraz (ripe, high tannins, high acidity)
- Shiraz-Viognier blends

White: Riesling

Good to outstanding

53
Q

Hilltops region

A

Part of Southern New South Wales

Sheltered from maritime influence by hills and Snowy Mountains
- continental climate
- altitude provides cooling influence
- large diurnal range

Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay

54
Q

Tumbarumba

A

Part of Southern New South Wales

Sheltered from maritime influence by hills and Snowy Mountains
- continental climate
- altitude provides cooling influence
- large diurnal range

Slightly cooler than Hilltops

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

55
Q

Tasmania

A

Separated from mainland by Bass Strait

Less than 1% of Australian production by volume
- but key producer of premium wines

Cool Maritime climate
- southerly latitude
- westerly winds from Southern Ocean
- bring high level of rainfall to west side

South
- cooler due to latitude
- longer hours of sunlight
- north-facing to maximize sunlight

South-east
- drier
- irrigation often necessary

North and west
- plentiful rainfall during growing
- fungal diseases
- danger of spring frost (fans & sprinklers)

Pinot Noir
- light to medium body, med+ acidity, strawberry, cherry

Chardonnay
- med body, apple, white peach, pear
- naturally high acidity
- often full malo to soften acidity
- all top wines undergo barrel fermentation
- old oak or a bit of new

Other: Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Merlot, Cabernet, Shiraz

Little is exported, strong domestic market
Popular tourist destination = cellar door sales

Producers: Tamar Ridge

56
Q

Region in Western Australia which produces high volumes of inexpensive wine

A

Swan Valley

  • same latitude as Hunter Valley
  • one of Australia’s hottest regions
  • extremely ripe grapes
  • also fortified wines
57
Q

Margaret River

A

Part of South West Australia Zone

Surrounded by water on three sides
- Indian and Southern Ocean
- low latitude, so warm
- moderating effect from oceans
- Warm Indian Ocean means temp do not drop too much at night
- longer ripening each day (ripe fruit character)
- relatively dry growing season, despite high annual rainfall

Relatively flat with gentle hills and valleys
- low ridge runs down the centre of region
- free-draining gravel soils
- irrigation necessary
- low fertility
- ridge provides some shelter for vineyards to the east

Cabernet is most planted
- often blended with Merlot, made in a Bordeaux style (new French oak)

Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon blends
- steel or barrel-fermented

But known for Chardonnay
- high acidity, med+ (full) body and concentrated stone fruit flavors
- Malo tends to be blocked
- full range of styles
- well-suited to barrel fermentation and maturation
- French oak, with a proportion new
- lees contact

58
Q

Great Southern

A

Part of South West Australia Zone

Five official sub-regions
- Albany (maritime)
- Denmark (maritime)
- Mount Barker (altitude)
- Porongurup (altitude)
- Frankland River (altitude, continental)

Maritime influence is lower further inland

Rainfall varies from low to moderate
- many dry farmed or low irrigation
- Frankland River needs irrigation

Shiraz (30%)
- Mount Barker and Frankland River (warmer)
- high acidity and tannin, med to full body
- blackberry, cherry, herbal, peppery, spicy
- some use proportion of whole bunches

Cabernet Sauvignon
- Mount Barker
- powerful, blackcurrant, herbal
- Porongurup
- more elegant, med body, savory

Riesling is flagship white (Porongurup)
Sauvignon Blanc (herbaceous)
Chardonnay

59
Q

Wine business in Australia

A

Large number of smaller producers
- many growers have contracts to sell to larger companies
- 5 companies dominate production volume, e.g. Accolade, Treasury Wine

Wine Australia
- controls export
- promotes Australian wine

5th largest exporter (2/3 of production)
- great rise in volume but also value
- China leads in sales value, thanks to free trade agreement
- UK, USA

Domestic market
- cellar door sales
- wine tourism
- interest in less-common varieties (encouraging experimentation)

Old_Full (26 decks)

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