D3 Australia

Question 1

Australian Climate & Features?

Answer 1

Most growth sites are near the sea (or flat lands allow deep penetration of cooling effects)

Hot Continental Climate when very inland, others are Maritime or Mediterranean

Great Dividing Range offers protection from Pacific influences, and provides a rain shadow to SE Australia, so irrigation is vital

Question 2

South Australia Zones & Sub-Zones

Answer 2

Barossa Zone > Barossa Valley, Eden Valley

Mount Lofty Ranges Zone > Adelaide Hills, Clare Valley

Fleurieu Zone > McLaren Vale

Limestone Coast Zone > Coonawarra

Question 3

Victoria Zones & Sub-Zones

Answer 3

Port Phillip Zone > Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Geelong, Macedon Ranges

Western Victoria Zone > Grampians and Pyrenees, Henty

North East Victoria Zone > King Valley, Beechworth

Central Victoria Zone > Heathcote

Gippsland Zone

Question 4

New South Wales Zones & Sub-Zones

Answer 4

Hunter Valley Zone

Central Ranges Zone

Southern New South Wales Zone

Question 5

Western Australia Zones & Sub-Zones

Answer 5

South West Australia Zone > Margaret River, Great Southern

Question 6

Barossa Valley Climate & Features?

Answer 6

Large plains region, protected by hills and Mount Lofty Range on all sides

Warm Mediterranean Climate

250-370m elevation

Minimal rainfall, so irrigated

Plenty of very old vines of Grenache and Shiraz, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon

Limited production of oaked Chardonnay and Semillon

Question 7

Eden Valley Climate & Features?

Answer 7

Rolling hills, including quite steep slopes

600m+ elevation at its height

Highest sites get more rainfall and wind; dry farming far more common here than Barossa

Slightly more acidic and elegant wines than Barossa

Old vine Shiraz and Riesling, as well as Grenache to a lesser extent

Question 8

Adelaide HIlls Climate & Features?

Answer 8

Valley surrounded by steep hills

Cool to Moderate Maritime Climate

Elevations of 400-500m

High diurnal range in higher altitude sites

Some rain falls during growing season, which can disrupt fruit-set

Reasonable humidity means some risk of fungal disease

Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Pinot Noir

Question 9

Clare Valley Climate & Features?

Answer 9

Wide diurnal range from height, 300-500m

Warm Climate

Slopes are not too steep so can be mehcanised

Riesling is a signature, also Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon with eucalyptic aromas

Question 10

McLaren Vale Climate & Features?

Answer 10

Cooling winds from the gulf and descending from Adelaide HIlls

Generally dry growing season

Inexpensive wines from low level flats, with better wines being found in hills of 250-350m

Shiraz & Cabernet for bulk wines, though also old vine Grenache and Shiraz

Low disease pressure means a lot of organic farming

Question 11

Coonawarra Climate & Features?

Answer 11

Moderate Climate, like Bordeaux, though warmer and drier in growing season

100 miles inland, but still enjoys cooling effects coming in over flat land from the sea

Rain during flowering and fruit-set, as well as heavy winds

Terra Rossa Soil - free-draining loam with limestone bedrock, combined with soil alkalinity makes for low vigour

Exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as lighter style Shiraz

Limited Chardonnay and Riesling of a warmer style than elsewhere

Question 12

Yarra Valley Climate & Features?

Answer 12

Cool to Moderate Maritime Climate

Lower Yarra is lower and warmer with lower fertility soils, Upper Yarra is higher and cooler with higher fertility soils

Gentle slopes

Plentiful rain, including during growing season, hence fungal disease a risk

Pinto Noir and Chardonnay, with some Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon from warmer areas

Question 13

Mornington Peninsula Climate & Features?

Answer 13

Cool to Moderate Maritime Climate

Long growing season due to moderating effects of plentiful wind and sea

Mostly flat, with some limited slopes up to 250m

Vigour can be an issue due to water availability

Pinto Noir and Chardonnay, with some Shiraz and Pinot Gris

Question 14

Geelong Climate & Features?

Answer 14

Cool Maritime Climate

Strong SW Winds

Moderate rainfall in Spring and Winter

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with some Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon from warmer areas

Good to very good quality typically

Question 15

Macedon Ranges Climate & Features?

Answer 15

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with some Riesling, and Shiraz from warmer areas

Question 16

Grampians & Pyrenees Climate & Features?

Answer 16

Moderate Climate

Altitude 240-440m

Gentle slopes

Shiraz

Question 17

Henty Climate & Features?

Answer 17

Cold due to Antarctic winds

Elevations up to 460m

Riesling

Question 18

King Valley Climate & Features?

Answer 18

Altitudes of up to 860m, where it is very cool with high rainfall

Further down is warmer and drier

Vigorous soils mostly

Question 19

Beechworth Climate & Features?

Answer 19

Potentially very high altitude (1,000+m)

Chardonnay and Shiraz

Question 20

Hunter Valley Climate & Features?

Answer 20

Low latitude

Hot and humid

Unprotected by the Great Dividing Range, so experiences Pacific storms

Famed for Semillon (low alcohol, high acid, long aged in inert vessels), Chardonnay and Shiraz also good

Question 21

Tasmania Climate & Features?

Answer 21

Cool Maritime Climate

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

Question 22

Margaret River Climate & Features?

Answer 22

Warm Maritime Climate, heavily moderated by being surrounded by water; Indian Ocean currents are warmer, helping to extend ripening window into the evening

High rainfall, but growing season is relatively dry

Gentle hills and valleys

Cabernet Sauvignon, blended with Merlot in Bordeaux style

Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Semillon, with Chardonnay rarely seeing malo

Question 23

Great Southern Climate & Features?

Answer 23

Diverse region - maritime influences until further inland where it becomes continental

Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling are flagship grapes, though latter is lightly planted

Also, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay,