Australia Flashcards

1
Q

What tempers Australia’s mainly hot climate?

A

Southern, Indian Ocean or Murray River System. Adelaide Hills and Eden Valley cooled by altitude.

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2
Q

What climatic conditions are a threat to the vineyards?

A

Drought and bush fires. Even if vineyards are not burned, they can be damaged by smoke. Causing growers to seek cool or moderate climates with higher altitude or in Tasmania.

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3
Q

Name Australias main black varieties.

A

Shiraz, Cab, Pinot. Grenache.

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4
Q

Shiraz is Australias principal grape. Name the different styles in which it is produced.

A

In the hot Hunter Valley, and warm Barossa valley, it produces full bodied, intensely fruity wines with earthy or spicy notes and leather aromas as they age. As opposed to a more restrained style controlling the level of extraction. A leaner, more peppery style is made in cooler regions such as Geelong and Heathcote. Both styles may be blended.

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5
Q

What does Shiraz do for cab when blended?

A

Adds softness and body, like Merlot in Bordeaux.

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6
Q

How does Australian cab differ from Shiraz?

A

Darker, firmer tannins, higher acidity., with black fruit (blackcurrant, black cherry), underpinned by toasty oak.

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7
Q

Name 2 classic cab regions.

A

Coonawarra and Margaret River.

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8
Q

What does Merlot do for cab?

A

Adds body and fleshy, plummy fruit.

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9
Q

Name 3 regions known for Pinot.

A

Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Tasmania. Medium body, medium alcohol, medium acidity, with cherry and strawberry.

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10
Q

Name 3 late ripening reds that flourish in Australia.

A

Grenache, Petit Verdot and Mataro (Mouvedre). Sangiovese and Tempranillo are gaining in popularity.

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11
Q

Name the whites Australia is known for.

A

Chard, SauvBlanc, Semmillon, Riesling.

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12
Q

What is the most planted white grape?

A

Chard. Made in styles ranging from a blend from different regions, unoaked, to give peachy flavors, or with oak chips or staves to add hints of toast and vanilla.

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13
Q

In what regions would you find high quality Chards and what techniques would the winemaker use to make them>?

A

Adelaide Hills, Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley and the warmer Margaret river. Fresh, vibrant fruit, complimented by subtle flavors from careful use of lees, MLF, and/or oak maturation.

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14
Q

What area is known for its Sauv Blanc?

A

Adelaide Hills. Concentrated passion fruit with high acidity.

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15
Q

What variety is Hunter Valley known for?

A

Semillon. Harvested early with low sugar and high acidity. Minimum oxygen contact and inert vessels for fermentation and storage. Resulting in wines light in alcohol and neutral in flavor when young, developing honey and toast with bottle age. Western Australia makes a more herbaceous style (compared to SauvBlanc). While Barossa Valley makes a more fuller body, softer style.

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16
Q

Describe Australia’s unique style of Riesling.

A

Pronounced citrus aromas and flavors (lime, lemon, grapefruit in youth) that develop rapidly into toast, honey and petrol. Unoaked with high acidity.

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17
Q

Name 2 regions known for classic Australian Riesling.

A

Eden and Clare Valley in South Australia. Tasmania and the Franklin River are making Rieslings that are less citrusy and more floral.

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18
Q

Name Australia’s wine zones and identify their respective regions.

A

South Eastern Australia:
Riverland
Murray-Darling
Riverina

South Australia:
     Barossa Valley
     Eden Valley
     Clare Valley
     Adelaide Hills
     McLaren Vale
     Coonawarra
Victoria:
     Yarra Valley
     Mornington Peninsula 
     Geelong
     Heathcote
     Goulburn Valley

New South Wales
Hunter Valley

Western Australia:
Margaret River
Great Southern

Tasmania

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19
Q

Which region produces the majority of wine?

A

South Australia. Blended wines from this GI are simply labeled South Australia (used by premium vineyards).

20
Q

What is Barossa Valley known for?

A

Full bodied Shiraz with soft tannins and ripe, black fruit complimented by sweet American oak. It softens and develops aromas of leather and spice as it ages. Made from old bush vines. Semillon in a fresh, unoaked style is the most notable white.

21
Q

If a wine is made from both Barossa Valley and Eden valley fruit, how is it labeled?

A

Barossa.

22
Q

Where is Eden Valley located?

A

In the hills to the east of Barossa Valley. Cool to moderate climate that varies with altitude.

23
Q

What variety and style is Eden Valley known for?

A

Outstanding Rieslings with intense lime and grapefruit aromas and a steely character.

24
Q

What variety and style is Clare Valley known for?

A

Riesling. Dry, intense citrus and lime aromas with high acidity. Honey and toast with bottle age. Fragrant, powerful and structured. Also known for excellent cab. Warm climate tempered by cool afternoon breezes and cold nights.

25
Q

What is Adelaide Hills known for?

A

Refreshing SauvBlanc and elegant Chards with high acidities and pronounced citrus and peach. Pinot for still wine and blending for sparkling.

26
Q

What is McLaren Vale is known for what?

A

Reds from Shiraz, Cab, Merlot and Grenache. Intensely flavored with dark fruit aromas that have soft, ripe tannins. Old vine Shiraz and Grenache add depth and complexity. On the coast.

27
Q

What is Coonawarra known for?

A

Concentrated, structured cab with cassis and eucalyptus or menthol.

28
Q

What region offers some of the coolest vineyard locations on the mainland?

A

Victoria. Cool enough to grow high quality Pinot and Chard. Shiraz and cabs are fresher and lighter than those from the hotter regions.

29
Q

What is the speciality in Yarra Valley?

A

Pinot. As well as high quality table wines. Excellent sparkling wines. Pinot is rich, with strawberries, plums and dark cherries. Ripe tannins and soft oak handling adds complexity.

30
Q

What are the specialities of the Mornington Peninsula?

A

Pinot and Chard. Pinot ranges from light and delicate to more structured, both with very pure fruit. Chards have citrus, pear, apple and high acidity, softened by MLF.

31
Q

What is Geelong known for?

A

Complex, concentrated and full bodied Chard.

32
Q

What is Heathcote known for?

A

Shiraz with a firm structure and fresher fruit flavors than those from warmer climates. Cooling influences from altitude.

33
Q

What is the specialty of Goulburn?

A

Marsanne with citrus fruit in youth and honied aromas with bottle age.

34
Q

What region has the longes history of wine production I Australia?

A

New South Wales.

35
Q

What is the main wine region in New South Wales?

A

Hunter Valley.

36
Q

What is the most planted variety in Hunter Valley?

A

Semillion. Light bodied, low alcohol, high acidity, neutral flavors that evolve into toast, nut and honey.

37
Q

What is the most planted black variety in Hunter Valley?

A

Shiraz. Black fruit (blackberry and cherry), soft tannins, medium body and an earthy undertone.

38
Q

What is the climate of Hunter Valley?

A

Hot and humid. Cloud cover and ocean breezes reduce heat in the peak of summer. Rainy weather at harvest. Good canopy management essential to minimize rot.

39
Q

What is the only Australia wine region not part of the South Eastern Australia super zone?

A

Western Australia.

40
Q

What is the blended fruit from the regions in Western Australia sold as?

A

Western Australia.

41
Q

What is the renowned Margaret River region known for?

A

Cab blended with Merlot in a Bordeaux style (from elegant and restrained to fruity and powerful); Chard with concentrated stone fruit and high acidity using barrel aging and MLF to add complexity. SauvBlanc, often blended with Semillion giving it gooseberry and tropical fruit aromas with high acidity.

42
Q

Name 2 sub-regions of the Great Southern region.

A

Mount Barker and Franklin River.

43
Q

What is the Great Southern Region known for?

A

Deeply colored cab, elegant, peppery Shiraz and floral Riesling.

44
Q

What is the climate of Tasmania?

A

Cool maritime.

45
Q

What is Tasmania known for?

A

Started as a prime source for sparkling wine, but now makes excellent still wine.