Australia Flashcards
(300 cards)
What is the result of Australia being mostly phylloxera free?
-Oldest plantings in the world
-Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache
When was the first recorded export of Australian wines? Why?
-1850s
-Phylloxera outbreak, good opportunity for AUS to export, especially in UK
What did AUS produce when focussing on domestic market?
-fortified wines
When did large companies arise? what happened?
-1950s
-Jacob’s creek & penfolds
-Modernisation: temp. controlled stainless steel tanks
What happened in the 1970s & 1980s ?
-1970s= boutique wineries
-1980s= wines exported again
in the 1980s what was their new approach to marketing wines?
-stating grape varieties on label
-decription of wine on label
What did the approach in 1980s lead to?
-accessible wines
-early 2000s = 5th largest exporter
After the 2000s, plantings fell back again, why?
-huge oversupply: decrease in demand for inexpensive Australian wine
-2008 financial crisis: made Argentinian and Chilean wine cheaper, AUS more expensive
-prices for grapes went down, serious drought led higher costs for irrigation = growers out of business
- positive: producers focus from inexpensive to good quality, helped to maintain Australia’s position on export market
Most vineyards lie between which latitude?
- 30 and 37 = intense sunlight
-Queensland & Tasmania = 41 and 42
What is the climate of Murray Darling Basin?
-hot continental, no cooling influences
Where are most grape growing areas situated?
-Near coast for cooling influences
regarding topography, what about it and its cooling influences?
-relatively flat land
-means that there is little to stop cooling influences from ocean
-air from ocean can reach far inland
Regarding grape growing, what do producers look for?
-cooler areas in mountain ranges such as: Orange, Macedon,Grampians
-lighter bodied more elegant wines
What can be a weather hazard in cooler parts of Australia?
-spring frosts
-site selection to drain cold air can mitigate this effect
-wind from coast can reduce risk but… interupt fruit set
What are 2 other weather hazards in Australia?
-Low rainfall = long period of drought
-Rivers of Murray Darling Basin which are vital for irrigation water have run low
-Bush fires= smoke taint
in 2018 Australia was the … largest producers. How much hl?
-7th
-12.6 million hl
What makes Australia’s environment good for grape growing?
-plenty of sunshine
-low rainfall
-many regions, low humidity = low disease pressure
What happens due to a shortage of water (not rainfall)?
-e.g. Mclaren valley, sustainable water resource: irrigation water from recycled water for suburbs of Adelaide
-efficient irrigation systems = drip irrigation, trying to make water usage as efficient as possible
Why is vineyard management important in Australia?
-due to heat and with sufficient water, vines will grow vigorously
-to ensure even ripening
-especially on fertile soils
Which canopy systems have been used to manage vigour and ensure vine balance?
-Scott-henry
-Smart-dyson
Why is mechanisation commonly practised in Australia?
-Most vineyards on flat, gentle slopes
-labour intensive, some vineyards far away from population, thus mechanised
-can deliver grapes asap to the winery
-easier to harvest at night
What is a problem regarding soils? Explain
-Soil salinity
-Soils can get more saline due to not enough rainfall to carry away the salts deposited in irrigation water
-saline soils can make it more difficult for the vine to get to the water it needs = reduced vine growth or even death
Which grape is most susceptible to saline soils? what can be done to prevent this?
-Chardonnay
-selecting suitable root stock
-changing irrigation patterns= larger volumes of water less frequently
In which areas is Phylloxera present? What happens to prevent phylloxera?
-Parts of Victoria
-New South Wales
-planted on selected rootstocks, to protect against phylloxera andto combat acidity and salinity in soils