Australia

Climate

Hot and warm, dry

Moderating influences

Oceans

Murray River System

Altitudes

Weather hazards

Drought

• irrigation is widely used

Bush fires

• hot + dry conditions

• they can destroy the vines

• smoke in contact with the grapes = smoke taint in the wine → burned plastic smell

Star black grape + style

Shiraz

Warm region:

• full body

• intense black fruit flavour

• earthy, meaty

• leather with age

Cool region:

• peppery

Gentler extraction methods

• restrained

Other black Grapes

Cab Sav

• fuller bodied, more tanninc and colored than Shiraz

Merlot

• blended with Cab Sav

Pinot Noir

• at best in cool regions

• medium acidity, medium body, cherry flavour

Grenache

White grapes + style

Chardonnay

Style 1 = basic

• fruity

• unokaed

• blend from different regions

Styke 2 = high quality

• balanced

• fruity

• subtle use of: MLC, lees, oak

Semillon

• unique style from Hunter Valley

• West Australia → herbaceous

• Barrossa → fuller body, med acidity

Riesling

• unique style in Australia

• intense citrus fruit

• in youth can develop toast and honey

• dry to off-dry

Sav Blanc

• at best in cooler regions

Semillon from Hunter Valley

• early harvested

• high acidity

• low sugar

• low alcohol

• neutral flavours

• inert and reductive winemaking

• honey and toast with age

• ageing potential = up to 20 y

Australia Laws

Zones → can be a state or multiple states

Regions → have distinct and consistent qualities

Sub-Regions → have distinct and unique qualities

South Eastern Australia

It’s a zone that includes differen state

HIgh volume, inexpensive production

Grapes are sourced (and blended) from

• Riverina

• Riverland

• Murray-Darling

Riverina is also specialised in

Botrytised Semillon

Regions in South Autralia

Clare Valley

Barrossa Valley

Eden Valley

McLaren Vale

Adelaide Hills

Coonawarra

Barrossa Valley - Topography and grapes

• hub of the fine wine production

• warm climate

Grapes

• Old bush vines Shiraz ⭐ → classic style from warm climate

• Old bush vines Cab Sav

• Old bush vines Grenache

• Semillon → dry style

Eden Valley - Topography and grapes

Moderating influences: altitude of the hills

Grapes:

• Riesling ⭐ → dry and steely, outstanding

• Shiraz, Cab Sav → fresher style

Clare Valley - Topography and grapes

Warm with moderating influences:

• altitude

• afternoon breezes

• cool night temperatures

Grapes

• Riesling ⭐ → with a floral lift

• Shiraz → fragrant and powerful

• Cab Sav

McLaren Vale - Topography and grapes

On the coast → cooling breezes

Grapes

• Old vines Shiraz and Grenache

Wines

• intense, dark

• elegant

Adelaide Hills - Topography and grapes

Moderating influences → altitude from the hills

Grapes

• Sav Blanc

• Pinot Noir → still and sparkling

Coonawarra - Topography and grapes

Terra rossa soil + limeston sub-soil

High summer temp → moderarted by

• cool ocean currents from Antartica

• cloud covers

Grape

• Cab Sav → eucalyptus aromas, very good ageing potential

• Shiraz

• Merlot

• Chardonnay