Australia Flashcards
Australia wine industry (56 cards)
Name the 6 Viticultural Regions of Australia
Western Australia (WA) Queensland (QLD) New South Wales (NSW) Victoria (VIC) Tasmania (TAS) South Australia (SA)
Western Australia Production
2% of Australian production.
20% of Australian premium wines.
Subtle, generous fruit, medium bodied. Fine + elegant.
Western Australia notable region
Margaret River
Margret River Location
Geographically isolated.
SW corner of Western Australia.
3 hours South West of Perth.
Margret River Climate
Dry
Summarise the Australian GI hierarchy system
Zones -
Regions -
Sub-regions -
Zones - Can be huge, can be States or several states e.g. South Australia
Regions - e.g. Coonawara, Clare Valley, Margaret River They must have consistent and distinct qualities from neighbouring regions.
Must produce minimum of 500 tonnes.
Must have at least 5 independently owned vineyards of at least 5 ha each.
Sub-regions - Same requirements as region but be notable and with distinct and unique qualities.
What are the No.1 black and white grapes in Australia?
Shiraz and Chardonnay
What are the traditional and modern styles of Australian Shiraz, name regions of each
Warm/Hot - Full body, very fruity, earthy, spicy, leather with age (Barossa/Hunter)
Cool - Leaner more peppery style (Geelong/Heathcote)
What is the common style of Australian Cabernet Sauvignon?
Darker, firmer tannins with higher acidity than Shiraz.
Ripe Black fruit; Blackcurrant, Black Cherry, with toasty oak
Where does the best Australian Pinot Noir come from and what is its style?
From cool moderate sites (Yarra, Mornington Peninsula, and Tasmania)
Medium body, med alc, med to hi acidity, Cherry and Strawberry.
What is the style of quality Australian Chardonnay and what is the climate like in the best regions?
Fresh, vibrant fruit, subtle lees, MLF and/or oak
Cool, moderate (Adelaide Hills, Mornington Peninsula, Yarra) or just warm regions (Margaret River)
What is the style of the better Australian Sauvignon Blancs and what are the best sites?
Concentrated Passion Fruit with hi acidity
Moderate temp regions (Adelaide Hills)
What is Semillon like
Youthful
With age
When is it picked?
How is it fermented?
Which region has made it its own grape?
Youthful - Light body, neutral taste
With age- Develops honey and toast, can age 20 years
Harvested early with low sugar levels and high acidity
Fermented protectivly, SO2 and Stainless steel all the way
Hunter Valley
What is the predominant style of Australian Riesling and in which two regions is it most famous?
Citrus - Lime, lemon and grapefruit with high acidity.
It rapidly develops notes of toast, honey and petrol. Usually dry or slightly off-dry
Eden and Clare valleys
Where will you find Botrytised Semillon produced?
Riverina in New South Wales
Where is Barossa Valley, what’s the climate like, what is it most famous for producing, and what does it taste like?
North of Adelaide
Warm, dry climate
Old Bush vine Shiraz, Cab Sauv, and Grenache - Full body, soft tannin, ripe Black fruit with sweet American oak
Which regions make up the Barossa Zone?
Barossa Valley + Eden Valley
Where is Eden Valley, what’s the climate like and what white wine is it renowned for making and what does it taste like?
In the hills East of Barossa valley
Cool~moderate varying with altitude
Outstanding Riesling - Lime, grapefruit and steely
After 10 years in bottle can develop marmalade and toast
Where is Clare Valley, what’s the climate like and what white wine is it renowned for making and what does it taste like?
NW of barossa Valley
Warm with cool afternoon breezes and cold nights, altitude 300~400m but can reach 570m
Riesling - Dry, intense citrus and lime with hi acidity
with bottle age, honey and toast.
Clare Valley is renowned for Riesling but which 2 black grapes does it do well with and what do they taste like?
Shiraz - Fragrant, powerful with structure
Excellent Cab Sav - Diff styles depending on vineyard location
Where are the Adelaide Hills, what’s the climate like and what is it renowned for growing?
25km E of Adelaide
Moderate, all vineyards above 400m. Only rains in the Winter so irrigation often needed.
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Where is Eden Valley, what’s the climate like and what white wine is it renowned for making and what does it taste like?
In the hills East of Barossa valley
Cool~moderate varying with altitude
Outstanding Riesling - Lime, grapefruit and steely
After 10 years in bottle can develop marmalade and toast.
Australian appellation divisions
Zone
Region
Sub-region
How are regions and sub-regions defined by Wine Australia?
Single tracts of land comprising at least five independently owned vineyards of at least 5 ha. with a minimum output of 500 tons of wine grapes annually.
