Wset3 // Australia And New Zealand

Front 1

Describe the climate and grape growing considerations in Australia.

Back 1

Due to its latitude, Australia’s main growing regions have warm or hot climates.

Many of these regions are tempered by their proximity to either the Indian Ocean or Southern Ocean or the Murray River system. Others (Adelaide Hills and Eden Valley) are cooked by altitude.

Rainfall is low in many regions and irrigation is essential in the growing season.

Front 2

Describe the Australian Wine Laws.

Back 2

There are a hierarchy of GIs incorporating zones, regions, and sub-regions.

Zones have not particular qualifying attributes. (ex South Australia or South Eastern Australia.)

Regions must have consistent and distinct qualities from neighbouring regions (ex Coonawarra, Clare Valley, Margaret River.)

Sub-regions must have notable and distinct qualities.

Front 3

List and describe the black grape varieties grown in Australia.

Back 3

Shiraz is the principal grape variety of either colour and grown in most regions.

Cabernet Sauvignon is generally darker with firmer tannins and higher acidity than Shiraz. Displays ripe black fruit characters (black currant, black cherry) with toasty notes.

Merlot can be found in blended wines to add body and fleshy, plummy fruit.

Pinot Noir grown in a number of regions with the best coming from cool or moderate sites like Yarra Valley or Mornington Peninsula. Typically medium-bodied with medium alcohol and medium to high acid. Cherry and strawberry flavours.

Grenache, Petit Verdot, and Mataro (Mourvèdre) are late-ripening varieties that grow well in hotter regions.

Front 4

Describe the different styles of Shiraz that can be produced in Australia.

Back 4

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

Cooler regions, like Gerlong and Heathcote, will produce a leaner, more peppery style.

Front 5

List and describe the white grape varieties of Australia. Also, what regions are best know for producing these?

Back 5

Chardonnay is the most planted white grape variety. It can be basic with flavours of peach and hints of vanilla and toast. High quality Chardonnay is produced in cooler regions such as Adelaide Hills, Mornington Peninsula, and Yarra Valley where wines will be beautifully balanced with fresh, vibrant fruit and complemented by subtle flavours from use of lees, MLF, and/or oak maturation.

Sauvignon Blanc tends to show concentrated passionfruit with refreshing acidity. Best in moderate climate of Adelaide Hills.

Semillon is harvested with low sugar and high acidity, producing wines that are almost neutral in flavour when first bottled, but develop honey and toast with bottle age. Hunter Valley.

Riesling will uniquely show pronounced citrus fruits of lime, lemon, and grapefruit in youth that develop into toast, honey, and petrol. Eden and Clare Valley.

Front 6

What is the name of the “super-zone” of Australia and what exactly does this zone cover?

Back 6

The South-Eastern Australia Zone covers all GIs within South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland.

Vineyards of Riverland, Riverina, and Murray-Darling produce high yields of healthy grapes, but lack the concentration of those from high quality areas.

Front 7

Where is the majority of Australia’s wine produced?

Back 7

South Australia

Front 8

Describe the Barossa Valley climate and what grape varieties are produced here.

Back 8

The Barossa Valley is the heartland of fine wine production. Old bush vines produce outstanding Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Grenache in a climate that is warm and dry.

Shiraz is full-bodied with soft tannins and ripe black fruit complemented by sweet American oak. It softens and develops leather and spice as it aged.

Front 9

Describe the Eden Valley climate and what grape varieties are produced here.

Back 9

Just east of Barossa Valley, the Eden Valley has cool to moderate climate that varies with altitude. Outstanding Riesling is produced in the cooler vineyards, having intense lime and grapefruit aromas and a steely character. The best show marmalade and toasty character after ten years.

Shiraz, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon all grown here with success.

Front 10

Describe the Clare Valley climate and what grape varieties are produced here.

Back 10

Northwest of Barossa Valley, the Clare Valley region is also very well-known for its Riesling, dry in style with citrus and lime aromas and high acidity. Honey and toast with age.

Climate is warm and tempered by cool afternoon breezes and nights are cold.

Many vineyards are planted at altitude.

Excellent quality Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz as well.

Front 11

Describe the Adelaide Hills climate and what grape varieties are produced here.

Back 11

Adelaide Hills has a moderate climate where all vineyards are planted above 400m altitude. Rain occurs mainly in winter and soils have limited water holding capacity. Irrigation.

The region specializes in refreshing Sauvignon Blanc as well as elegant Chardonnay with high natural acidities and pronounced citrus and peach aromas.

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for sparking wines also grown here.

Front 12

Describe the McLaren Vale climate and what grape varieties are produced here.

Back 12

The McLaren Vale has a warm climate tempered by afternoon breezes.

Wines produced include Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, and Merlot.

Front 13

Describe the Coonawarra region climate and what grape varieties are produced here.

Back 13

Coonawarra has a maritime climate that is moderates by cold currents from the Antarctic and cloud cover over the summer months.

Red terra rossa soil over limestone subsoil.

Cabernet Sauvignon is made into concentrate, structured wines with characteristic cassis and eucalyptus or menthol aromas.

Front 14

List the major regions of South Australia.

Back 14

Clare Valley

Barossa Valley

Eden Valley

Adelaide Hills

McLaren Vale

Coonawarra

Front 15

List the major regions of South Australia.

Back 15

Clare Valley

Barossa Valley

Eden Valley

Adelaide Hills

McLaren Vale

Coonawarra

Front 16

Describe New South Wales climate and identify major regions.

Back 16

New South Wales has the longest history of wine production in Australia.

In Hunter Valley, climate is hot.

Mudgee, Orange, and Cowra all have slightly cooler conditions.

Front 17

Describe Western Australia climate and identify major regions.

Back 17

Wines produced here are the only wines produced outside of the South Eastern Australia super-zone.

The renowned Margaret River region is a coastal region with warm maritime climate. Rainfall is high, but falls mainly through the winter.

Cabernet Sauvignon is widely planted and often blended with Merlot in a Bordeaux-style blend.

Chardonnays display concentrated stone -fruit aromas and retain high acidity.

Sauvignon Blanc widely planted and often blended with Semillon.

The Great Southern region was opened up for wine production and includes sub regions of Franklin and Mount Barker.

Front 18

Describe the Hunter Valley region climate and what grape varieties are produced here.

Back 18

Hunter Valley is part of New South Wales. The region has a hot, humid climate moderated by cloud cover through the summer and ocean breezes.

Semillon is the most widely planted grape variety, producing light-bodied, low alcohol, high acidity wines that are rather neutral but evolve into a complex spectrum of toast, but, and honey flavours with bottle age.

Front 19

Describe Western Australia climate and identify major regions.

Back 19

Wines produced here are the only wines produced outside of the South Eastern Australia super-zone.

The renowned Margaret River region is a coastal region with warm maritime climate. Rainfall is high, but falls mainly through the winter.

Cabernet Sauvignon is widely planted and often blended with Merlot in a Bordeaux-style blend.

Chardonnays display concentrated stone -fruit aromas and retain high acidity.

Sauvignon Blanc widely planted and often blended with Semillon.

The Great Southern region was opened up for wine production and includes sub regions of Franklin and Mount Barker.

Front 20

Describe Tasmania climate and identify major regions.

Back 20

Tasmania has a cool maritime climate, cooled by prevailing westerly winds off Southern Ocean.

Known for sparkling wines as well as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Gris.

Front 21

Describe New Zealand’s climate and grape growing.

Back 21

Isolated in the Pacific Ocean, New Zealand experiences a maritime climate overall.

The South Island has a cool climate and the North Island is a little warmer.

Long sunshine hours, nights cooled by sea breezes, and a long ripening period allows grapes to reach high levels of sugar and flavour ripeness while retaining acidity.

On the South Island, the Southern Alps protect the east side of the island from rain-bearing westerly winds, but many vineyards still experience plentiful rain. Soils are free draining so not a lot of water-logging.

The NZ wine industry is committed to reducing the environmental impact of their vineyard management and practices. Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand is an initiative that sets winery standards to achieve this aim.

Front 22

List and describe the major white wine varieties produced in New Zealand.

Back 22

Since the 1990s, Sauvignon Blanc has been the flagship grape for New Zealand.

NZ Sauvignon Blanc is known for its pungent aroma, intense flavours of elderflower and passionfruit and high acidity.

The warmer North Island produces SB with more tropics flavours.

The South Island produces SB with higher acidity and flavours of green bell pepper and gooseberry.

Chardonnay is widely planted and the general style shows concentrated citrus and tropical fruits with subtle hints of toast, sweet spice from French oak.

Aromatic varieties like Riesling, Gewurtztraminer, and Pinot Gris are all showing potential.

Front 23

List and describe the major black wine varieties produced in New Zealand.

Back 23

All blends noted for the purity of their fruit flavours.

Pinot Noir is the second most planted grape variety behind Sauvignon Blanc.

Wines show vibrant fruit, fine ripe tannins, soft texture and often quite high levels of alcohol.

Concentrated on the warmer North Island, Merlot is second greatest volume, Cabernet Sauvignon is blended to add tannin and notes of cassis to make up a Bordeaux-style blend.

Syrah performs best in warmer sites and produces elegant wines similar or Rhone.

Front 24

List and describe the key wine regions and wines of the North Island.

Back 24

Auckland is warm and the wettest part of the country. Chardonnay, Merlot, and Syrah planted here.

Gisborne is north-easternmost region where rainfall is high along with temperatures and sunshine hours in the growing season. Over half of the vines planted here are Chardonnay.

Hawke’s Bay is south of Gisborne and the warmest growing area with longest sunshine hours. Built its fame in Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah. Gimblett Gravels developed a high rep for black varieties.

Wairarapa is made up of several small vineyards at the southern tip of the North Island. Martinborough is most important area with a global reputation for Pinot Noir. Summer temps can be high, but a wide diurnal range makes it suitable for this variety. Wines are medium to full-bodied with ripe hints of dark plum and spice.

Front 25

List and describe the key wine regions and wines of the South Island.

Back 25

Marlborough is the major centre for grape growing in New Zealand and Sauvignon Blanc makes up the majority.

- Wairau Valley features long sunny days, with several altitudes and aspects to moderate.

- Awatere Valley is drier and cooler and windier. Higher acid and pronounced herbaceous character and lack of tropical fruit flavours.

Nelson is on the NW side and produces Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Gris.

Canterbury has two main centres.

- Waipara Valley, known for quality Riesling.

Central Otago is located in the foothills of the Southern New Zealand Alps. Wide areas of soils, aspects, and altitudes.

Contrasting the rest of NZ, Central Otago climate is continental. Summers can be warm, but the diurnal range is large in the growing season.

Pinot Noir represents vast majority grown here, tending to be full bodied, juicy and vibrant with concentrated ripe red fruit flavours.