Wset Level 3 - Chapter 39 Australia

Front 1

What kind of climate has the main growing regions of Australia?

Back 1

warm or hot

Front 2

It is because of its...

Back 2

latitude

Front 3

Many of these regions are tempered by proximity to:

Back 3

either the Southern or Indian Ocean or the Murray River system

Front 4

Which regions are cooled by altitude?

Back 4

Adelaide Hills and Eden Valley

Front 5

Is irrigation essential?

Back 5

Yes, because in many regions rainfall is low especially during growing season.

Drought can be a significant problem. In some years even the Murray River (provides a vital source of water for the inland areas) can run low

Front 6

What is another real risk in Australia?

Back 6

Bushfires (dry conditions + high temperatures)

Even if the vineyard is not damaged the smoke can come into contact with the grape causing a pungent taint in the wines

Front 7

Where have plantings increased?

Back 7

In high-altitude locations on the mainland and in Tasmania, which has a more southerly latitude. In general sites with cool or moderate climate

Front 8

what is Australia's principal grape of either color?

Back 8

Shiraz

Front 9

Where is it grown?

Back 9

Is most regions.

Hot regions such as Hunter Valley

Warm regions such as Barrosa Valley

full-bodied, intensely fruity Shiraz with earthy or spicy notes and develop leather aromas as they age.

Cooler areas such as Geelong and Heathcote

leaner and more peppery style

Front 10

Now, in warmer areas, Shiraz is made in more restrained style. How?

Back 10

By controlling the level of extraction in the winemaking process

Front 11

What for Shiraz is used in blends?

Back 11

To give softness and body with Cabernet Sauvignon (performing a similar role to Merlot in Bordeaux)

Front 12

General characteristic of AU Cabernet Sauvignon

Back 12

is generally darker, with firmer tannin and higher acidity than Shiraz.

Notes of ripe black fruit (blackcurrant, black cherry). often underpinned by toasty oak notes.

Front 13

What are the classic regions for Cab. Sauv. ?

Back 13

Coonawarra and Margaret River

Front 14

What provides Merlot in the blend?

Back 14

typically alongside Cab. Sauv. to provide body and fleshy, plummy fruit.

Front 15

From where comes the best examples of Pinot Noir?

Back 15

From cool or moderate sites such as Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Tasmania.

Front 16

What's general style of Pinot Noirs from these regions?

Back 16

medium-body and abv

medium to high acidity

typical flavours of cherry and strawberry.

Front 17

Wich varieties are perfect for hot regions?

Back 17

Late-ripening varieties such as Grenache, Petit Verdot and Mataro (Mourvedre)

Front 18

Why Sangiovese and Tempranillo have gained popularity?

Back 18

Because they are well adapted to high temperatures and a limited water supply

Front 19

Which is the most widely planted white variety

Back 19

Chardonnay

Front 20

Basic Australian Chardonnay

Back 20

Is often a blend of fruit from different regions.

unoaked to give peachy flavors or

with the aid of oak chips or staves to add hints of toast and vanilla

Front 21

High quality Chardonnay

Back 21

From cool to moderate regions such as Adelaide Hills, Mornington Peninsula nad Yarra Valley and even warm regions such as Margaret River are balanced with fresh, vibrant fruit complemented by subtle flavours from careful used of less, MLF and/or oak maturation

Front 22

Which region has a great reputation for popular in both the domestic and export markets Sauvignon Blanc?

Back 22

The moderate climate area of Adelaide Hills

Front 23

What kind of flavour do they tend to show?

Back 23

concentrated passion fruit alongside refreshing high acidity

Front 24

What is the classic region for Semillon grape?

Back 24

Hunter Valley

Front 25

when is it harvested?

Back 25

Early, with low sugar level and high acidity.

Front 26

What happens in winery?

Back 26

Contact with oxygen is kept to the minimum and inert vessels are used for fermentation and storage.

Front 27

What are resultant wines?

Back 27

Light in abv

almost neutral when bottled, yet they develop extraordinary flavours of honey and toast

Front 28

How long can age best Semillons?

Back 28

For 20 years or more

Front 29

What kind of style is made in Western Australia?

Back 29

much more herbaceous style (can be mistaken for Sauv. Blanc)

Front 30

Traditional style of Semillon from Barrosa Valley

Back 30

fuller-bodied, softer style

Front 31

and now....

Back 31

early picked, unoaked versions

Front 32

Riesling is like Semillon made in a style that is unique to Australia. T/F?

Back 32

True

Front 33

Typical Riesling style

Back 33

pronounced citrus fruit (lime, lemon, grapefruit) in youth that develops rapidly into toast, honey and petrol notes as the wine age.

The wines are unoaked,

high acidity

dry or slighlty off-dry

(some sweet wines are also made)

Front 34

Classic regions for Riesling

Back 34

Eden and Clare Valleys in South.

Tasmania.

Frankland River sub-region of Western Australia - less citrusy and more floral.

Front 35

Which regions covers South Eastern Australia?

Back 35

All GI within South Australia, Victoria, New South Walles and Queensland. So called 'super-zone' allows blending of all this zones.

Front 36

They majority of wines that are labelled with this indication are high volume brands. From where mainly they source the fruit?

Back 36

From fertile, irrigated vineyards of Riverland in South AU, Murray-Darling in Victoria and Riverina in New South Wales.

These regions can produce high yield of healthy grapes, but they lack flavour concentration.

Front 37

What can enhance these wines?

Back 37

Blending components from Barrosa, Adelaide or McLaren Vale. - the choice of components in the blend depend on the variety, style and price point.

Front 38

In what Riverina also specialise?

Back 38

In the production of botrytized wines from Semillon (autumn mists and fogs)

Front 39

Where is produced majority of AU's wines?

Back 39

In south Australia - the vineyards are concentrated in the south east of the state

Front 40

Some of the most prestigious wines take advantage of blending from different regions and are simply labeled South Australia. T/F

Back 40

True

Front 41

Where is Barrosa Valley?

Back 41

To the north of Adelaide - is the heartland of wine production.

Front 42

What is Barrosa Valley climate?

Back 42

Warm and dry

Front 43

What kind of wines does it give?

Back 43

Old bush vines produce outstanding Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache.

Front 44

Classic Barrosa Shiraz?

Back 44

full-bodied,

soft tannins,

ripe black fruit complemented by sweet American oak (it softens and develops aromas of leather and spice as it ages

Front 45

Which is the most notable variety?

Back 45

Semillon - increasingly made in a fresh, unoaked style.

Front 46

Wines labelled Barrosa come from Barrosa zone. From where fruits can be sourced?

Back 46

From Barrosa Valley and Eden Valley

Front 47

Where is located Eden Valley?

Back 47

In the hills to the east of the Barrosa Valley

Front 48

What climate has Eden Valley?

Back 48

Cool to moderate that varies with altitude.

Front 49

What kind of wines are made there?

Back 49

in the cooler areas - outstanding Reislings! - lime and grapefruit aromas and a steely character.

The best have longevity displaying marmalade and toasty character after 10 years.

Shiraz, Chardonnay and Cab. Sauv. are also grown with success.

Front 50

Where lies Clare Valley?

Back 50

To the north-west of the Barossa Valley.

Front 51

it's climate

Back 51

warm tempered by cool afternoon breezes. Cold nights.

Front 52

At what altitudes are planted most of the vineyards?

Back 52

300-400 metres, some even around 570 metres.

Front 53

What kind of wines are produced?

Back 53

especially Rieslings - dry, intense citrus and lime aromas and high acidity.

With bottle age, they can develop honey and toast aromas.

Shiraz - fragrant, powerful and structured.

Cab. Sauvignons - excellent quality, style depend on vineyards location, soil and elevation.

The best reds have a long cellaring potential.

Front 54

Adelaide Hills location and climate

Back 54

25 km east of Adelaide.

Moderate climate where all vineyards are planted above 400 metres.

Front 55

Rainfall and soils

Back 55

rainfall occurs mainly in the winter, and soils have limited water-holding capacity which means irrigation is often necessary during the growing season.

Front 56

Adelaide wines

Back 56

refreshing Sauvignon Blanc.

elegant Chardonnays that have high natural acidities and pronounced citrus and peach aromas.

Pinot Noir is grown for still red and blends with Chardonnay for sparkling.

Front 57

McLaren Vale location and climate

Back 57

on the coast to the south of Adelaide has a warm climate tempered by afternoon breezes from the nearby ocean.

Front 58

McLaren Vale wines

Back 58

Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Grenache - intensely flavoured with dark fruit aromas and soft, ripe tannins.

Some old vine Shiraz and Grenache - wines with depth and complexity

Front 59

The Coonawarra location

Back 59

It is a narrow strip of land 1,5 km wide by 15 km long.

400 km south-east of Adelaide towards the Victorian border.

Front 60

The Coonawarra soil

Back 60

Distinctive red, terra rossa soil over a limestone subsoil

Front 61

The Coonawarra climate

Back 61

Under the influence of cold currents from the Antarctic, the maritime climate is moderate.

Cloud cover moderates summer temperatures.

Front 62

It's wines

Back 62

Cabernet Sauvignon predominates - concentrated, structured with characteristic cassis and eucalyptus or menthol aromas. The best age well.

Shiraz, Merlot, and Chardonnay

Front 63

Victoria region overall

Back 63

Offers some of the coolest vineyards locations in the mainland.

The regions around Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay benefit from ocean breezes, giving conditions cool enough to grow high-quality Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and grapes for sparkling wines.

Further inland, the Great Dividing Range provides range of altitudes and aspects\

Front 64

What kind of wines gives high altitude sites such as those on the Macedon Ranges and Upper Goulburn?

Back 64

Elegant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

Aromatic Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc.

Front 65

What kind of wines are made in regions on lower slopes?

Back 65

Grow later-ripening black varieties such as Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon - tend to be fresher and lighter in style than wines from hotter regions.

Front 66

Yarra Valley location and climate

Back 66

To the north-east of Melbourne.

Climate is cool to moderate and maritime, but this is a very varied region in terms of altitude and aspects.

Front 67

Which grape is speciality there?

Back 67

Pinot Noir - high quality table wines and excellent sparkling.

Rich in fruit, strawberries, plums and dark cherries.

Tannins are ripe and soft.

Careful oak handling adds complexity.

Top producers make age-worthy wines.

Front 68

Yarra valley diversity allows successful growing . . .

Back 68

Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernt sauvignon

Front 69

Mornington Peninsula location and climate

Back 69

to the south of Melbourne, has a cool to moderate, maritime climate and is home to small boutique estates.

Front 70

Which grapes are specialities?

Back 70

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

Front 71

Why can vintages vary here?

Back 71

Due to the chance of cool, wet and windy weather at flowering and often at harvest time.

Front 72

Which are the best years?

Back 72

This with a long growing season producing fragrant, elegant wines with finesse.

Front 73

Mornington's Peninsula Pinot Noir

Back 73

Ranges from light and delicate to more structured - all tend to display very pure fruit characteristics.

Front 74

Mornington's Peninsula Chardonnay

Back 74

reflect the cool growing conditions having citrus, pear and apple aromas and high acidities that are usually softened by MLF.

Front 75

Geelong location and climate

Back 75

West of Melbourne.

Has similar climatic conditions as Mornington Peninsula (cool to moderate, maritime)

Front 76

Geelong wines

Back 76

Chardonnay - renowned for its quality, complex, concentrated, full-bodied.

Pinot Noir can take earthy aromas, Shiraz fresh and peppery

Front 77

Is Chardonnay and Pinot Noir used there for sparkling wines production?

Back 77

Yes

Front 78

Heathcote location and climate

Back 78

In the centre of Victoria.

Cooling influences from altitude rather the ocean - it gives moderate climate.

Front 79

Heathcote wines

Back 79

Shiraz - firmer structure and fresh fruit flavours than those of warmer regions.

Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Sangiovese and Tempranillo.

Front 80

Goulburn Valley location and climate

Back 80

To the east of Heathcote, has warm climate.

Front 81

By what heat is there slightly mitigated?

Back 81

By the lakes and creeks associated with the Goulburn River.

Front 82

Goulburn wines

Back 82

Shiraz - most planted

Marsanne - speciality of the area. Gives wines with citrus fruit in youth and developing honey aromas with bottle age.

Front 83

which of the regions has the longest history of wine?

Back 83

New South Wales

Front 84

What is the main region?

Back 84

Hot Hunter Valley

Front 85

What are the other regions?

Back 85

Mudgee, Orange and Cowra - offer slightly cooler conditions.

Front 86

New South Wales location?

Back 86

inland from Sydney, on the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range - vineyards are planted at altitude and can produce some very concentrated Chardonnays and structured Cabernet Sauvignons.

Front 87

Hunter Valley climate

Back 87

Hot, humid climate.

High cloud cover and ocean breezes reduce the effect of the heat in the peak of the summer.

Unfortunately sometimes unsettled rain during harvest.

Front 88

What minimise rot?

Back 88

Good canopy management

Front 89

The most planted variety is . . .

Back 89

Semillon

Front 90

These wines tend to be

Back 90

light bodied, low abv, high acidity and initially neutral flavours but evolving into a complex spectrum of toast, nut and honey with bottle age.

Front 91

Other wines of Hunter Valley

Back 91

Chardonnay - in both oaked and unoaked styles

Shiraz - the largest production here: blackberry, black cherry, soft tannin, medium body, earthy undertone.

Front 92

Western Australia location

Back 92

In the south-west tip of this large state.

Not part of 'super-zone', can be labelled as WA.

Front 93

Margaret River location and climate

Back 93

around 200 km south of Perth.

This coastal region has a warm maritime climate

High rainfall (but mainly during winter)

Front 94

Margaret River wines

Back 94

Cabernet Sauv. widely planted, and often blended with Merlot in Bordeaux style.

Chardonnay - concentrated stone-fruit aromas and retain high acidity. MLF and barrel ageing are used to add complexity.

Sauvignon Blanc often blended with Semillon - attractive gooseberry and tropical fruit aromas with high acidity.

Number of different style are produced from elegant nad restrained to fruity and powerfull.

Front 95

Which sub-regions include The Great Southern region?

Back 95

Mount Barker and Frankland River

Front 96

they are known for . . .

Back 96

deeply coloured Cabernet Sauv.

elegant, peppery Shiraz

floral Riesling

Front 97

Tasmania climate

Back 97

cool maritime, cooled by prevailing westerly winds off the Southern Ocean, providing conditions that are generally free from extremes

Front 98

is is base for which wines?

Back 98

for sparkling wines, but can also produce still ones

Front 99

Which are the principal varieties?

Back 99

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris.

In the warmest and driest areas Cabernet Sauvignon can ripen well