D3 - Australia 2: Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania

Question 1

Select the correct answer:

Vineyards in Victoria’s Port Phillip Zone are some of the mainland’s:

a. Coolest
b. Warmest

Answer 1

a. Coolest

Question 2

The hottest vineyards in Victoria are found in this smaller zone within Victoria.

Where is it, and what region is included in this smaller zone?

Answer 2

• North West Victoria Zone
• Runs along the southern border of New South Wales
• Includes the Murray-Darling region

Question 3

What area does the Port Phillip Zone cover?

Answer 3

The area around Melbourne and the coast of Port Phillip Bay.

Question 4

What are the cooling influences in Port Phillip Zone?

Answer 4

• Proximity to the water
• Elevation

Question 5

Which four GIs within the Port Phillip Zone do you need to know for the exam?

Answer 5

1. Yarra Valley
2. Mornington Peninsula
3. Geelong
4. Macedon Ranges

Question 6

Yarra Valley

1. What is its climate?
2. What is it split into?

Answer 6

1. Cool to moderate climate
2. Split into Upper Yarra Valley and Lower Yarra Valley

Question 7

How do the Upper and Lower Yarra Valleys differ (temperature, location, elevation, and soils)?

Answer 7

Upper Yarra Valley

• Cooler, higher altitude sites in the southeast
• Deeper, more fertile volcanic soils which can be dry-farmed

Lower Yarra Valley

• Warmer, lower altitude sites in the northwest
• Well draining loamy clay soil low in fertility (irrigation often necessary)

Question 8

The Yarra Valley is an actual valley. What do its hills provide?

Answer 8

Variety of subtly different microclimates.

In cold years, frost can be a hazard for valley floor vineyards due to cold air sinking from the hills above.

Question 9

• How much rainfall does Yarra Valley get during the growing season?
• What effects does this have on vineyards?

Answer 9

• 450-550 mm during growing season
• Humidity, so fungal disease is a risk

Question 10

Explain the different styles of Pinot Noir from Yarra Valley and how winemaking affects those styles.

Answer 10

1. Lighter Pinot Noirs come from the higher, cooler vineyards; whole bunch fermentation is increasingly used to enhance perfumed fruity aromas (strawberry, red cherry and plum).
2. Medium bodied Pinot Noirs come from warmer sites and show riper fruit character; a mixture of new and used oak vessels used for maturation, with producers increasingly favoring larger barrels (500 L), and occasionally foudres, over barriques.

Question 11

Name two important Yarra Valley producers.

Answer 11

1. Mount Mary
2. Yarra Yering

Question 12

Mornington Peninsula

1. What two bodies of water surround it?
2. What is the climate?

Answer 12

1. Port Phillip Bay + Bass Strait
2. Cool to moderate climate

Question 13

What are the two climate influencers of Mornington Peninsula and how does each affect viticulture?

Answer 13

1. Bodies of water have moderating effect which extends the growing season
2. Windy conditions have a cooling effect which keep afternoon temperatures low, mitigate frost, and reduce disease pressure (the wind can inhibit flowering, though)

Question 14

• How much rain does Mornington Peninsula see and when does it fall?
• Does it ever inhibit or threaten anything?

Answer 14

• 320 - 390 mm, falls mainly in winter and spring
• Can inhibit flowering and threaten harvest

Question 15

What is the topography of Mornington Peninsula?

Answer 15

Mostly flat with a ridge down the center of it called Red Hill, with elevations up to 250 m.

Question 16

What is the significance of Red Hill in Mornington Peninsula?

Answer 16

• Ridges provide variety of microclimates with altitudes up to 250 m asl.
• Named after its red basalt soils that retain winter rainwater throughout the growing season, meaning
  there is no need to irrigate.

These soils are fertile, though, so vines are vigorous and careful canopy management is necessary.

Question 17

What are the soils like away from Red Hill in Mornington Peninsula?

Answer 17

Free-draining clay and sand

(irrigation often necessary)

Question 18

As Mornington Peninsula is a cool to moderate climate, what winemaking techniques might winemakers use to enhance their Pinot Noirs?

Answer 18

• Cold soaking to extract more color
• Whole bunch fermentation or stem inclusion to add complexity and tannins
• Use of French oak to add oak-related flavors

Question 19

As Mornington Peninsula is a cool to moderate climate, what winemaking techniques might winemakers use to enhance their Chardonnays?

Answer 19

• Lees aging + oak aging to add complexity
• Malo to make a more rounded, creamy style and add flavor complexity

Question 20

Name two important Mornington Peninsula producers.

Answer 20

1. Yabby Lake
2. Paringa

Question 21

Geelong

1. What is its climate?
2. Rainfall is higher or lower than Yarra Valley?
3. What reduces its humidity and disease pressure?

Answer 21

1. Cool climate
2. Rainfall lower than Yarra Valley (500-600 mm)
3. Winds from the southwest

Question 22

Which grapes are planted where in Geelong?

Answer 22

1. Pinot Noir + Chardonnay planted in cool sites
2. Shiraz + Cabernet Sauvignon planted in warmer sites

Question 23

Name two significant producers from Geelong.

Answer 23

• Paradise IV Wines
• Wines By Farr

Question 24

Macedon Ranges

1. What is its elevation?
2. What is its climate?
3. What are its soils?

Answer 24

1. 300-800 m
2. Cool climate (one of the coolest on the mainland)
3. Shallow, granitic sandy loams on hillsides (naturally reduces yields); deep loams on the lower slopes

Question 25

What are the three significant regions in the Western Victoria Zone? What are their climates?

Answer 25

1. Grampians (moderate climate) 2. Pyrenees (warm moderate climate) 3. Henty (cool climate)

Question 26

What are the elevations (and the differences) between Grampians and Pyrenees?

Answer 26

* Grampians – 240-440 m, large diurnal range (helps with acidity retention), slopes reduce frost risk * Pyrenees – lower than Grampians with more gentle slopes, warmer

Question 27

What are the soil types found in Grampians and Pyrenees? ## Footnote Hint: they're the same soils.

Answer 27

**Sandy, loamy soils** * **Retain water** so many vineyards don't need irrigation * **Some soils are acidic** which can reduce vigor + yields unless treated with lime

Question 28

Which grape variety are Grampians and Pyrenees best known for?

Answer 28

**Shiraz** * Fresher, redder fruits from elevation areas * Intense, concentrated black fruits from lower, warmer areas

Question 29

Name one significant producer from Grampians and one from Pyrenees.

Answer 29

* Mount Langi Ghiran (Grampians) * Dalwhinnie (Pyrenees)

Question 30

Why is Henty one of the coldest growing areas on the Australian mainland?

Answer 30

Cold Antarctic winds

Question 31

Henty 1. What is its elevation range? 2. What is its signature grape, and why does it do so well here?

Answer 31

1. Sea level to 460 m 2. Riesling, which sees high number of sunshine hours (ripeness)

Question 32

* What is the **predominant climate** of North East Victoria Zone? * What are the **two significant regions** in North East Victoria Zone?

Answer 32

* Continental climate * King Valley and Beechworth

Question 33

# Select the correct answer: The topography and rainfall of King Valley is: a. Totally flat with low rainfall b. Gentle hills with moderate rainfall c. High elevation with high rainfall

Answer 33

c. **High elevation with high rainfall** (which increases disease pressure)

Question 34

What changes in King Valley as you go down in elevation and how does that affect the styles of wine made?

Answer 34

**Temperatures rise** (though the river provides a moderating effect), so higher elevation wines are lighter bodied and lower elevation wines are fuller bodied.

Question 35

Name two significant producers in King Valley.

Answer 35

* Pizzini * de Bortoli

Question 36

Describe the varied conditions of the Central Victoria Zone, the regions within them, and the styles of wine produced.

Answer 36

1. Warm, flat plains → Goulburn Valley, Bendigo (ripe, full bodied wines) 2. Cooler areas in foothills of Great Dividing Range → Upper Goulburn, Heathcote (high quality whites and reds)

Question 37

At what elevations are vineyards planted in Heathcote?

Answer 37

160 - 320 m

Question 38

Heathcote 1. What moderates the temperatures? 2. Rainfall - how much and when does it fall?

Answer 38

1. Elevation + southerly winds 2. 250 mm, falls throughout the year

Question 39

Why is dry farming common in Heathcote?

Answer 39

Calcareous red soil is made up of weathered greenstone (good water retention makes dry farming possible).

Question 40

Name two significant producers in Heathcote.

Answer 40

* Jasper Hill * Heathcote Estate

Question 41

Briefly describe Gippsland Zone and what affects its climate.

Answer 41

* Huge zone with varied regions spread across coastal flats and hillside slopes * Climate affected by weather systems from the west and wet tropical weather from the north

Question 42

How much rainfall does Gippsland Zone receive during its growing season?

Answer 42

420–530 mm rainfall

Question 43

What are the three main zones of New South Wales?

Answer 43

1. Hunter Valley Zone 2. Central Ranges Zone 3. Southern New South Wales Zone

Question 44

What is the climate in Hunter Valley?

Answer 44

Sub-tropical, though nights are relatively cool

Question 45

How is the Lower Hunter different from the Upper Hunter?

Answer 45

Lower Hunter is cooler than Upper Hunter because: * it's nearer to the coast * it gets sea breezes

Question 46

* When does the majority of the rain fall in Hunter Valley? * What issue does this impose on the vines?

Answer 46

* During the growing season (~500 mm) * High fungal disease pressure

Question 47

With Hunter Valley's warm climate, what does that mean for grape ripening and harvest?

Answer 47

The warmth ripens grapes early so they can be harvested early.

Question 48

How is Hunter Valley Semillon generally made?

Answer 48

* Picked early * Gently pressed without skin contact (avoids extraction of phenolic compounds, e.g. tannins) * Fermented at moderate temperatures in stainless steel * Finished wine is bottled shortly after * Rarely sees any oak

Question 49

Name two significant Hunter Valley producers.

Answer 49

1. Tyrrell’s 2. Mount Pleasant

Question 50

What grapes is Hunter Valley known for besides Semillon?

Answer 50

1. Chardonnay – made in various styles, bodies 2. Shiraz – usually matured in wood

Question 51

* What are the three regions of Central Ranges Zone from north to south? * On which side of the Great Dividing Range are they, and what is their general climate?

Answer 51

* Regions: 1. Mudgee 2. Orange 3. Cowra * On the **western (inland)** side, **continental** climate

Question 52

What are the factors that allow Mudgee wines to achieve full ripeness while retaining high acidity?

Answer 52

* Continental climate * Elevation (cooling influence, large diurnal range, spring frost risk so site selection is important) * Intense sunshine

Question 53

What factors make wines from Orange region in Australia so distinctive?

Answer 53

* **Vineyards 600-900 m asl** on slopes of Mount Canobolas (**ancient volcano**) * **Soils are deep red volcanic basalt**, yellow/brown clay loams, and shallow gravels * **Windy** – helps mitigate spring frosts (but can also affect fruit set); * It's **generally cooler** than Mudgee and Cowra

Question 54

_Southern New South Wales Zone_ 1. What is the climate? 2. What are the three most significant regions within this zone?

Answer 54

1. Continental 2. Canberra, Hilltops, Tumbarumba

Question 55

What factors in Canberra make the wines deep in color with ripe black cherry flavors, high ripe tannins, and high acidity?

Answer 55

* Elevation – vineyards planted 500 – 850 m (cool nights) * Intense sunshine * Continental climate (warm summer days) * Dry summers * Large diurnal range

Question 56

Name two significant producers in Canberra.

Answer 56

1. Clonakilla 2. Ravensworth

Question 57

How are Hilltops and Tumbarumba similar? How are they different?

Answer 57

* Similar – both have a range of elevations and continental climates (warm days/cool nights); both grow Chardonnay * Different – Hilltops grows Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon; Tumbarumba grows Pinot Noir

Question 58

What is the general climate of Tasmania?

Answer 58

Cool maritime

Question 59

What factors make Tasmania so cool?

Answer 59

* Southerly latitude * Cool winds off the Southern Ocean

Question 60

Where does the rain mostly fall in Tasmania?

Answer 60

West coast – points east are sheltered somewhat by mountains

Question 61

Describe the southern and northern growing areas of Tasmania and what makes each distinctive.

Answer 61

* Southern – cooler, though lower latitude means longer sunshine hours (help ripening); drier and less humid than north * Northern – higher rainfall, increased risk of fungal disease, spring frosts a threat

Question 62

What are some commonly used winemaking techniques employed in Tasmania to enhance these cooler climate wines?

Answer 62

* Full malo for Chardonnay (soften acidity, enhance texture) * Barrel fermentation (small portion new so doesn't mask delicate flavors and structure)

Question 63

Name two significant producers on Tasmania.

Answer 63

1. Tolpuddle 2. Tamar Ridge