31 - Australia Flashcards

Question

What styles of wine are produced using Semillon? Which regions make these? (3)

Answer 1

**Hunter Valley style** high acid, low alcohol, unoaked neutral --\> aromatic when aged **Barossa Valley** fuller-bodied with higher ABV and oak, although **Noble-rot** sweet with from **Riverina**

Answer 2

Cooler regions of **Clare and Eden Valley** as well as **Great Southern, Canberra, Tasmania** Bone dry with high acid apple --\> citrus --\> peach; with some late-harvested, sweeter styles Premium wines often made with free-run juice --\> highest in acid and sugar, low phenolic compounds --\> purest, best balance (although producers using skin contact and lees for texture)

Answer 3

**Hot, inland areas** like Riverland, Murray-Darling and Riverina Colombard is used to bulk up blends labelled as Chardonnay Muscat used as blending partner and in sparkling Moscato wines

Answer 4

**Zones** large areas that cover entire states (Victoria) or encompass several (SEA) some smaller zones also exist (Barossa) **Regions** various sizes but have consistent and distinct qualities e.g. Connawarra, Tasmania **Sub-regions** rarer GI accounting for differences in climate, soil and topography including within Great Southern, Hunter Valley

Answer 5

Can apply various labels to same/similar wines esp. when grapes come from different areas E.g. wine from Eden Valley Grapes can be labelled as Eden Valley (region), Barossa (zone), Adelaide (super-zone), South Australia (zone) or South Eastern Australia (zone)

Answer 6

**Situation** very large area including three states, most grapes from Riverina, Murray-Darling and Riverland, an area collectively known as the **Murray-Darling basin** **Climate** hot and continental due to low altitude and lack of maritime influence (GDR) --\> also dry with rainfall as low as 135mm N.B. Riverland is cooler, despite being 200km from coast, flat land allows martime breeze to reach it **Soils** sandy **Wines** **Inexpensive:** vast majority grown from Shiraz, Chardonnay and some Semillon (Riverina) w/ low acid, high alcohol, med body and ripe fruit. **Yellow Tail, Jacob's Creek, Lindeman's** **HQ:** emerging esp. from old vines and hot-climate varieties e.g. Viognier, Vermentino, Nero d'Avola; botrytised Semillon in Riverina

Answer 7

1. Low rainfall 2. High evapotranspiration - due to hot climate 3. Free draining, sandy soil **Water from rivers** low water levels during droughts means drip irrigation is common Despite this, high water prices have pushed some growers out of business

Answer 8

Closer to coast - autumn has rainfall and humidity w/ morning mists and afternoon sun Producers like **De Bortoli**

Answer 9

Combines the three largest regions by hectarage and crop.

Answer 10

May blend small amounts of non M-D wines from cooler, coastal regions

Answer 11

Blend fruit from the warmer Barossa Valley and cooler Eden Valley

Answer 12

**Topography** **Barossa** **Valley** plain (250-270m) sheltered from sea by hills **Eden Valley** rolling, exposed hills as part of the Mount Lofty Range up to 600m **Climate** **Barossa** **Valley** warm climate, low rainfall (160mm) **Eden Valley** cooler with higher rainfall (230mm), wind can affect flowering **Soils** **Barossa** **Valley** various soils create blending opportunities, ironstone soils in north have prized water retention **Eden Valley** variety but many have good water holding capacity, so dry farming is more common

Answer 13

**Barossa Valley** has warmer, dry climate, Eden Valley has cooler, wetter climate --\> mainly due to altitude **Shiraz from Barossa Valley** is full-bodied, high in alcohol with high/soft tannin and pronounced ripe/dried black fruit + oak aromas --\> develops spice, leather with time. Large stock of old vines due to phyl-free increasing concentration. May also be blended with Grenche. **Shiraz from Eden Valley** has higher acid, firmer tannin, low alcohol with fresher flavours **Riesling from Eden Valley** dry, high acid, med alcohol, protective winemaking with citrus and floral --\> honey, nuts with age **Whites from Barossa** HQ Chardonnay and full-bodied Semillon

Answer 14

Phylloxera free has meant large stock of old vines But many lost due to vine pull in 1980s **Barossa Old Vine Charter** records and promotes these

Answer 15

Diurnal variation - Clare Valley plantings are 300-500m Range of climates e.g. Adelaide Hills has cool climate at high altitude sites near ocean and moderate at lower altitude, west facing sites Maritime influence means that higher rainfall ~300mm in Adelaide Hills Latitude --\> intense sunlight --\> grape show ripe flavours

Answer 16

1. Great humidity esp. in Adelaide Hills (not an issue in Clare Valley) 2. Steep hillsides esp. in Adelaide Hills prohibit mechanisation 3. Low latitude means grapes need shade esp. Riesling in Clare Valley 4. Rainfall higher but may fall during winter e.g. Clare Valley --\> dry farm or great reservoirs with dams, underground sources also an option

Answer 17

_Adelaide Hills_ **Sauvignon Blanc** intense ripe fruit, high acidity, med alcohol, mid-priced and VG **Chardonnay** ripe stone fruit, med(+)-high acid, med body with lots of winemaking, HQ **Pinot Noir** med(+) acid, med alcohol, med body, red fruit HQ **Shiraz** in a range of styles, generally HQ _Clare Valley_ **Riesling** very dry, med body, limey in youth. Flinty soils of Polish Hill give leaner, less aromatic styles; limestone of Watervale given early drinking styles; good-outstanding/mid-premium **Shiraz and Cab** med-med(+) acid and tannins, pronounced ripe black fruit, minty/eucalyptus character HQ

Answer 18

**Situation** large, mostly flat area south of Adelaide **Climate** warm/hot moderated by sea breeze, moderately dry **Viticulture** Large vineyard trellised to manage vigour, some producers use bush vines **Wines** almost entirely black grapes in full range of quality levels incl Shiraz, Cab, Grenache Best wines from old vines at higher elevations on water-retaining clay/sand soil Dry, windy climate means many organic and biodynamic producers + sustainability also irrigation using dams, boreholes and recycled wastewater

Answer 19

**Situation** closer to Victoria than the rest of South Australia's other regions, Connawarra around 100km from coast covering 5000ha **Topography** flat allowing sea breezes to come far inland **Climate** Connawarrra moderate with warm days --\> higher latitude and sea breeze; low rainfall around 260mm **Soils** various limestone soils including terra rossa **Wine** Cab S most famous with dark fruit, eucalyptus, oak with med-full-body, med alcohol, high/firm tannin + some **Shiraz, Chardonnay and Riesling**

Answer 20

Iron-rich loam over hard limestone layer with soft, water retaining limestone underneath - alkaline nature reduces nutrient uptake --\> reduces yield - limestone is difficult for roots to penetrate --\> reduces yield

Answer 21

1. Spring frost 2. Poor flowering due to rainfall Human problem - isolated so labour difficult to find --\> mechanisation and migrant labour being used

Answer 22

High land prices due to demand for tourism and leisure means focus on small-volume, HQ wines

Answer 23

Both are common - limestone and some clays help soils retain water so dry-farming used but water from underground aquifers also popular

Answer 24

**Climate** cool-moderate due to southerly latitude and influence of sea e.g. Mornington Peninsula which is directly on the coast; warmer vineyards further away e.g. Lower Yarra --\> frost risk in flatter, cool areas **Rainfall** varies between the sub-zones but is generally higher than in other areas. Up to 500mm during the growing season in Yarra, lower elsewhere --\> some disease pressure, threat of flowering/fruit set **Topography** Altitude varies e.g. Yarra Valley between 50-350m, up to 800m in the Macedon Ranges **Soils** vary e.g. lower Yarra has loam (unfertile but free-draining), upper Yarra has volcanic (fertile but retains water); red basalt salts of Mp's Red Hill retain water but they are fertile (trellising) Other viticultural features... **Wind** plays an important role in moderating risk of frost and disease esp. for Mornington Peninsula

Answer 25

**Pinot Noir** light-med body with ripe red fruit and a mixture of oak maturation, some wholebunch used. Generally HQ. **Chardonnay** peach, grapefruit, melon with high acid and medium body with some producers picking early to produce a lean style w/o malo or new oak and high % of solids for reductive flavours. HQ. **Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon** in lower altitude, warmer sites esp. in Yarra with some fuller-bodied wines from Geelong; tends to be medium-bodied with fresh fruit and often made with wholebunch

Answer 26

High altitude sites provide a moderating influence e.g. Grampians 240-440m Antarctic wind cools many vineyard e.g. Henty is one of coldest mainland regions Sandy soils retain water well so no need for irrigation in Grampians Acidic soils reduce vigour and yields in Grampians **Grampians and Pyrenees** known for medium-bodied, peppery Shiraz, **Henty** produces a range of grapes and styles from Pinot Gris to Cab Sav

Answer 27

Continental given distance from coast with temperature depending on topography e.g. warm, flat **Rutherglen** to King Valley at up to 860m (very cool, lots of rainfall) **King Valley** varies based on altitude from 250-680m with plantings of Glera for sparkling wine, Pinot Gris for still wines in dry, light-bodied Pinot Grigio style and many black grapes incl. Sangiovese, Barbera and Nebbiolo **Beechworth** has similar diversity with altitudes of 200-1000m

Answer 28

For historical reasons, Italian grape varieties are very important However, these are difficult to sell compared to wines made from those grapes in Italy especially int'l Due to small production, prices are also fairly high

Answer 29

Warm, flat plains with some altitude in **Heathcote** **Goulburn Valley** and **Bendigo** well-suited to ripe, full-bodied reds and Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne; **Upper Goulburn** makes fresher styles incl from Chard, Riesling, Savvy B **Heathcote** has moderated conditions due to altitude and southerly winds + limestone soils --\> dry farming of full-bodied Shriaz possible

Answer 30

**Hunter Valley** sub-tropical with warm-hot temps, high humidity and rainfall **Remaining zones/regions** protected by GDR so have hot, dry and continental climate with altitude moderating temps

Answer 31

**Climate** sub-tropical --\> hot with intense sunlight due to low latitude, high humidity and ~500mm of rainfall during growing season - Nights are relatively cool and afternoon clouds help to shield vines from most intense sunlight - Tropical storms in late summer can present a challenge during harvest - Lower Hunter closer to sea so cooler **Soils** are clay based --\> in addition to rainfall, no irrigation needed **Topography** low, undulating hills

Answer 32

1. High humidity --\> disease pressure 2. Vigour due to clay and higher rainfall 3. Summer storms --\> harvest early

Answer 33

**Semillon** harvested early, neutral in youth developing pronounced toast, honey and hay aromas with ageing; dry, low-alcohol, high acid; often released after five years of ageing; varying quality but not cheap **Chardonnay** full range of styles **Shiraz** red/black fruit + oak, medium-bodied with med-high aBV

Answer 34

Mudgee, Orange and Cowra All have continental climates, with low rainfall and altitude provides moderating influence **Orange** vineyards 600-900m on volcanic soils and gravel with very windy conditions In Orange... **Shiraz** and **Cabernet Sauvignon** in a fresh, spicy, herbal, med ABV, medium-bodied style; Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Pinot Gris also popular; generally mid-priced/good-VG Elsewhere ... warmer conditions mean fuller-bodied Shiraz and Cab + Chardonnay

Answer 35

+ Moderates temperatures + Reduces disease pressure + Reduces frost risk - May disrupt fruit set

Answer 36

**Situation** 250km south of mainland **Climate** cool, maritime due to high latitude (41-43S) and cool winds from Southern Ocean **Rainfall** high levels from wet southerly winds, up to 350mm during growing season **Sub-regional differences** - East coast is largely sheltered from wet, southerly winds e.g. Tamar Valley --\> warmer, drier - Soutehrn Tasmania cooler than north due to latitude and exposure --\> site selection critical **Viticultural Challenges** 1. Rainfall in east --\> fungal disease 2. Spring frost 3. Lack of warmth esp. in south

Answer 37

Tasmania accounts for 1% of total Australian production **Pinot Noir** red fruit, light-med body, med(+)-high acidity, med alcohol --\> riper styles in north/west **Chardonnay** apple, white pear, peach; high acid w/ malo with medium ABV, medium body --\> oak ageing for top wines of both styles common **Others** Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz **Sales** mainly domestic with lots of cellar door

Answer 38

Represents 3% of total production by volume but focusses on premium wines

Answer 39

**Warm,** **maritime climate** **Southern ocean** provides cooling influence, **Indian Ocean** keeps temps warm at night Relatively **dry growing season ~275mm** (with a total of 1000mm falling during the year) **Flat region** but gravelly ridge runs through centre --\> free draining, poor nutrition; warmer vineyards to its east **Cabernet Sauvignon + Merlot** produces BDX-style wines with blackberry, blackcurrant and spice, med(+) acid, high/ripe tannin, med(+)-full body **Chardonnay** stone fruit, with high acid and med-full body w oak ageing but w/o malo **Sauvignon Blanc + Semillon** gooseberry --\> tropical fruit and grassy, herbaceous aromas with high acid and various vessels from SST to barrels

Answer 40

Coastal regions like **Albany and Denmark** have maritime climate; inland regions like **Frankland River** is more continental --\> warmer, drier but larger diurnals Rainfall differs depending on proximity to coast --\> **coastal regions can be dry-farmed** Altitude important moderating factor in-land e.g. **highest vineyards at 300m** **Shiraz** is the most popular grape and planted in warmer areas like **Frankland River** with style ranging from medium-full body with high acid and tannins; herbal, pepper and spice notes common; use of wholebunch common **Cabernet Sauvignon** varies depending on region - intense, full-bodied from Mount Barker vs. cooler and elegant from Porongurup **Riesling** flagship white grape with **Porongurup** leading region; toasty, stoney character with age and light-body Aromatic **Sauvignon Blanc** and **Chardonnay** in range of styles also produced

Answer 41

Fallen by about 10% as a result of many wineries ceasing production to

Answer 42

80% of producers crushed fewer than 250 tonnes of grapes Top five (incl. Accolade, Casella, Treasure) export 87% by vol

Answer 43

Funded by levy on growers, aims to promote Australian wine domestically and abroad

Answer 44

Very - accounts for 2/3 of sales UK, China, US, Canada and Germany are main markets China - volume sales dipping but value growing HOWEVER trade dispute in 2020 has jeopardised this growth

Answer 45

Cellar Door - 2/3 of wineries have a cellar door, up to 80% in Tasmania Wine tourism **raises profile of individual regions, increased margins, helps cash flow** esp. in regions near Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide Online shops have helped even isolated regions benefit from DTC

Answer 46

Heat tolerance varieties have become increasingly popular + Diversification makes demand resilient to changing tastes + USP compared to other New World markets that also sell int'l varieties - Competition from producers growing these grapes in more famous origin regions - Small production volumes mean high prices (for now)

31 - Australia Flashcards

(71 cards)