Adelaide Super Zone

Question 1

Who planted the first vineyard in Barossa?

Answer 1

1847 Bavarian immigrant Johann Gramp planted a vineyard along the banks of Jacob’s Creek in Rowland Flat, establishing Orlando Wines, the region’s first commercial winery and the company behind the modern “Jacob’s Creek” brand.

Question 2

What are some of the oldest vines in Barossa?

Answer 2

Shiraz, Langmeil’s “Freedom” vineyard, 1843.
Cirillo owns a 3HA parcel of Grenache 1850.
Hewitson produces Mataro from the Koch family’s “Old Garden” 1853.
Australia’s oldest plot of Cab Sauv vines, Penfolds’ “Block 42,” lies in Kalimna, northern Barossa Valley 1888.

Question 3

How does Barossa’s Old Vine Charter classify vineyard age in the region?

Answer 3

Developed by Yalumba. Old (at least 35 years of age), Survivor (at least 70 years of age), Centenarian (at least 100 years old), and Ancestor (at least 125 years old)

Question 4

Describe Barossa Valley GI?

Answer 4

100-300 meters in elevation, warm continental Region III
The hot, flat Barossa Valley floor has deep, low fertility loamy clay soils and a plentiful reserve of underground water to accommodate irrigation during the region’s dry summers. Major natural feature is Barossa Ranges (the hills of Eden Valley on eastern border.

Question 5

Describe a classic style Shiraz?

Answer 5

intense flavors of chocolate, prune and date, velvety tannins and high, mentholated alcohol levels, often in excess of 15%

Question 6

Name some top bottling from Barossa?

Answer 6

Penfold’s “Grange”, Elderton’s “the Command,” and Torbreck’s “RunRig” and “The Laird”

Question 7

Describe a Barossa Sparkling Shiraz?

Answer 7

A base Shiraz is fermented to dryness and aged in oak prior to undergoing a second fermentation in tank, typically, sweetness is added through a small dosage of Australian Tawny, and most examples are at least semi-sweet in style. For good examples, Rockford and Peter Rumball.

Question 8

Name a top example of Semillon in Barossa?

Answer 8

Peter Lehmann’s “Margaret,” sourced from a 1929 Semillon vineyard

Question 9

Who planted the first vineyard in Eden Valley?

Answer 9

Englishman named Joseph Gilbert planted his Pewsey Vale vineyard in 1847

Question 10

Describe Eden Valley?

Answer 10

Eden Valley is cooler, higher in elevation than Barossa Valley (400-600 meters above sea level). Mean temp of 67*F Variable loamy sand and clay loams, with intermixed quartz and gravel. Barossa Ranges as a major natural feature.

Question 11

Describe an Eden Valley Riesling?

Answer 11

classically dry, sharp acidity, lime flavor. Riesling occupies over one-quarter of its vineyard real estate.

Question 12

What is the highest point in Eden Valley called?

Answer 12

Sub-region of High Eden GI, an area first championed in the 1970s by Mountadam, one of Australia’s pioneering producers of Chardonnay.

Question 13

Examples of Barossa old vines?

Answer 13

Pewsey Vale, The Contours Riesling, Eden Valley.
Chateau Tanunda, Old Vine Semillon, Barossa Valley
Bethany, LE Shiraz, Barossa Valley

Question 14

Examples of Barossa survivor vines?

Answer 14

Kalleske, Old Vine Grenache, Barossa Valley
Burge Family Winemakers, Garnacha, Barossa Valley
The Willows Vineyard, Single Vineyard Semillon, Barossa Valley
Teusner, Avatar Grenache Shiraz Mataro, Barossa Valley.

Question 15

Examples of Barossa centenarian vines?

Answer 15

Henschke, Mount Edelstone Shiraz, Eden Valley
Elderton Command Single Vineyard Shiraz,
Barossa Valley
Chateau Tanunda The Chateau Shiraz, Barossa

Question 16

Examples of Barossa Ancestor vines?

Answer 16

Cirillo Estate, 1850 Grenache, Barossa Valley
Hewitson, Old Garden Mourvèdre, Barossa Valley
Langmeil, The Freedom 1843 Shiraz, Barossa Valley
Henschke, Hill of Grace Shiraz, 1860 Eden Valley
Penfolds, Block 42 Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley
Poonawatta Estate, The 1880 Shiraz, Eden Valley

Question 17

Which regions are in the Fleurieu zone?

Answer 17

McClaren Vale, Langhorne Creek, Currency Creek, Southern Fleurieu, Kangaroo Island

Question 18

What are the zones of South Australia?

Answer 18

Far North, The Peninsulas, Mount Lofty Ranges, Barossa, Lower Murray, Fleurieu, Limestone Coast
Adelaide super zone (Barossa, Fleurieu, Mount Lofty Ranges)

Question 19

Mount Lofty Range Gi’s

Answer 19

Adelaide Hills, Adelaide Plains, Clare Valley with Lenswood and Piccadilly Valley as sub-regions

Question 20

Far North Gi’s?

Answer 20

Southern Flinders Range

Question 21

Which Gi’s are in the Limestone Coast?

Answer 21

Mount Benson, Robe, Padthaway, Wrattonbully, Coonawarra, Mount Gambier

Question 22

Lower Murray Gi’s?

Answer 22

Riverland

Question 23

What are the major grapes of Barossa Valley and total hectares?

Answer 23

Reds (85%) Shiraz (51%of total plantings) Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache
Whites (15%) Chardonnay, Semillon
10,350 HA

Question 24

Key producers in Barossa Valley?

Answer 24

Seppeltsfield, Torbreck, Peter Lehman, Penfold’s, Two Hands, Turkey Flat, Wolf Blass

Question 25

Major towns of Barossa Valley?

Answer 25

Angaston, Tanunda, Nuriootpa, Williamstown, Lyndoch.

Question 26

What is the difference in style of an Eden Valley Shiraz vs Barossa Valley?

Answer 26

Eden Valley Shiraz shows more elegance, spice, and red fruit character.

Question 27

Key producers in Eden Valley?

Answer 27

Henschke, Pewsey Vale, Yalumba, Mountadam, Hutton Vale

Question 28

Major towns and Sub-regions of Eden Valley?

Answer 28

Eden Vally, Keyneton. Sub region High Eden GI

Question 29

Major grapes of Eden Valley and total hectares?

Answer 29

Reds (54%) Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon Whites (46%) Riesling, Chardonnay, Semillon 2,270 HA

Question 30

How many meters is Eden Valley above sea level?

Answer 30

400-600 meters

Question 31

Major grapes of McLaren Vale Gi?

Answer 31

Red grapes (86%) Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Grenache White grapes (14%) Chardonnay

Question 32

What will a classic Shiraz from McLaren Gi Vale taste like?

Answer 32

Shiraz in McLaren Vale is typically an intense experience, with brooding tannins, high alcohol levels (14-15%) and deep blue fruits

Question 33

List the seven terranes (soil) types in McLaren Vale Gi?

Answer 33

Ancient bedrock, Sand and Sandstone, Limestone, Clay, Alluvial deposits, Talus slope (variable soils near the Wilunga Fault), Alluvial flats

Question 34

Major natural features in McLaren Vale Gi?

Answer 34

Gulf of Saint Vincent (western boundary) Adelaide Hills (eastern boundary)

Question 35

Name some key producers from McLaren Vale Gi?

Answer 35

Chapel Hill, Clarendon Hills, D'Arenberg, Vitolo, Yangarra

Question 36

Describe the climate in McLaren Vale Gi?

Answer 36

Warm Mediterranean (with substantial variation) 1910 (Region III) (71*F)

Question 37

Who is Langhorne Creeks longest running producer?

Answer 37

Matala, 1860

Question 38

Major natural features in Langhorne Creek and temperature?

Answer 38

Lake Alexandria Bremer and Angas Rivers 67.8*F

Question 39

Key producers in Langhorne Creek Gi?

Answer 39

Bremerton Wines, Bleasdale Vineyard, Jacobs Creek

Question 40

Major natural features and temperature in Currency Creek Gi?

Answer 40

Murray River (mouth) Lake Alexandria and Encounter Bay 65*F

Question 41

Major natural features and temperature in Southern Fleurie zone?

Answer 41

Southern Ocean and Gulf of St. Vincent 67*F

Question 42

Major natural features in Kangaroo Island Gi and temperature?

Answer 42

Southern Ocean 67*F

Question 43

What is the soil in Clare Valley Gi and elevation?

Answer 43

Slate (Polish Hill) and Terra Rossa over limestone (Watervale) 400-500 meters

Question 44

Climates in Clare Valley Gi?

Answer 44

Polish Hill River 1465 DD Region II Clare 1767 Region III Sevenhill 1891 Region IV

Question 45

Major natural features in Clare Valley Gi?

Answer 45

Mount Lofty Ranges

Question 46

Key producers in Clare Valley Gi?

Answer 46

Grosset, Jim Barry, Sevenhill Cellars

Question 47

Describe a Shiraz from Clare Valley Gi?

Answer 47

Rich and round in style, with slightly less weight and alcohol than one would encounter in Barossa Valley

Question 48

Describe a Riesling from Clare Valley Gi?

Answer 48

Extremely dry, high acidity, lime, flowers, and tart stone fruit flavors characterize the wines, which often finish in the neighborhood of 12.5-13% abv.

Question 49

Inside Clare Valley Gi where would you find premium Riesling?

Answer 49

Watervale and Polish Hill

Question 50

What are the sub-regions of Adelaide Hills Gi and major natural features?

Answer 50

Lenswood Gi and Piccadilly Valley Gi South Mount Lofty Ranges

Question 51

Major grapes of Adelaide Hills Gi and temperature?

Answer 51

Red grapes (37%) Pinot Noir, Merlot White grapes (63%) Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris 66*F

Question 52

Key producers in Adelaide Hills Gi?

Answer 52

Petaluma, Shaw + Shaw, BK wines

Question 53

As far as climate, what are the differences between Adelaide Hills Gi and Adelaide Plains Gi?

Answer 53

Adelaide Hills is the coolest and rainiest region within the entire Adelaide Super Zone, whereas the Adelaide Plains is the warmest, and nearly its driest.

Question 54

Key producers in Adelaide Plains Gi?

Answer 54

Penfolds (Magic Hill), Primo Estate

Question 55

What type of soil is found in Coonawarra Gi and its features?

Answer 55

Terra Rossa soil, tinted red by iron oxide, clay loam over soft limestone. Great for drainage and storage Black and brown Rendzina soil

Question 56

Describe Coonawarra Gi's climate and main grape varieties?

Answer 56

Cool Mediterranean and a region II DD (1432) Red varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot White varieties: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris

Question 57

Describe a typical Coonawarra Gi Cabernet Sauvignon?

Answer 57

Showcases distinctive ripe red berry fruits alongside cassis, followed by sweet herb and dried mint secondary tones, medium body, moderate alcohol levels between 13%-14%.

Question 58

Who planted the first grapevines in Coonawarra Gi?

Answer 58

Scottish migrant John Riddoch in 1861 near the town of Penola, at his estate Chateau Comaum.

Question 59

Which other winemakers truly signaled a new beginning for the Coonawarra Gi region and their top bottling?

Answer 59

Samuel and David Lynn in 1951. "John Riddoch" Estate Cabernet Sauvignon since 1982

Question 60

Top producers in Coonawarra Gi?

Answer 60

Penley Estate, Wynns Coonawarra Estate, Majella