39. Australia Flashcards Preview

WSET 3 by Sarp Sarac > 39. Australia > Flashcards

Flashcards in 39. Australia Deck (46)
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1
Q

Most widely planted white grape of Australia is:

A

Chardonnay

2
Q

Name the 3 wine growing regions of Australia, cooled by altitude

A

Adelaide Hills
Eden Valley
Heatcote

3
Q

The majority of Australian wines are produced in

A

South Australia

4
Q

Southeastern Australia Zone covers the GI’s of which states?

A
  • South Australia
  • New South Wales
  • Queensland
  • Victoria
  • Tasmania
5
Q

How some of the vine growing areas of Australia cooled?

A
  • Proximity to Southern or Indian ocean: Mc Laren Vale, Victoria, Tasmania, Hunter Valley
  • Proximity to Murray River system: Goulburn Valley
  • Altitude: Adelaide Hills, Eden Valley, Heathcote
  • Cloud cover: Coonawarra
6
Q

Which styles of Shiraz wines are produced in Australia?

A
  • In hot regions like Hunter valley and warm regions like Barossa Valley full-bodied, intensely fruity wines with earthy and spicy notes which develop leather aromas as they age
  • In cool regions like Geelong and Heatcote, a leaner and peppery style Shiraz
7
Q

Which area in Australia has the reputation as the benchmark of Sauvignon Blanc? Describe the characteristics of this wine.

A
  • Adelaide Hills
  • Concentrated passionfruit flavours
  • High acidity
8
Q

From which areas, high quality Chardonnays are produced in Australia? Describe the characteristics of this wine.

A
  • Usually cool areas like Adelaide Hills, Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula but also from Margaret River (warm)
  • Fresh vibrant fruit
  • Subtle flavours from careful use of lees/MLF/oak
9
Q

Compare Semillion wines from Hunter Valley, Western Australia and Barossa Valley

A
  • Hunter Valley: Light alcohol, high acidity, almost neutral in flavour when bottled. Develop honey and toast as they age
  • Western Australia: Much more herbaceous style which could be mistaken as Sauvignon Blanc
  • Barossa Valley: Fuller body, softer style
10
Q

What are the classical regions for Riesling production in Australia? Describe the tasting notes.

A
  • Eden Valley and Clare Valley

- High acidity, dry or slightly off-dry, pronounced citrus aromas develop toast, honey and petrol notes as they age

11
Q

What is the climate of Barossa Valley?

A

Mediterranean. Cool wet winters, warm, dry summers

12
Q

What are the notable black and white grape varieties grown in Barossa Valley?

A

Black: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache
White: Semillion

13
Q

Tasting notes for a typical Barossa Valley Shiraz

A
  • Full bodied
  • Soft tannins
  • Ripe black fruit
  • Complemented by sweet American oak
  • Develop leather and spice aromas as they age
14
Q

Wines labelled Barossa can be made from the grapes sourced from which regions?

A
  • Barossa and Eden Valleys
15
Q

Compare the climate of Eden Valley with Barossa Valley (E)

A
  • Eden Valley is has a cool to moderate climate that varies with altitude
  • Day temperatures are 2-3 degrees, night temperatures are 5-7 degrees cooler than Barossa Valley
16
Q

Where are the best Rieslings grown in Australia?

A

Clare and Eden Valleys

17
Q

Tasting notes for Eden and Clare Valley Rieslings

A
  • High acidity (steely character)
  • Dry
  • Intense citrus (lime), grapefruit (Eden Valley)
  • Develop aromas of toast, marmalade (Eden Valley), honey (Clare Valley) as they age
18
Q

In Clare Valley many vineyards are planted at altitudes of …

A

300-400 m (even as high as 750 m)

19
Q

In Adelaide Hills all the vineyards are planted above… meters.

A

400

20
Q

Why is irrigation often necessary in Adelaide Hills?

A

Soils have limited water holding capacity

21
Q

Adelaide Hills are specialized in making wines from which grapes?

A

Refreshing Sauvignon Blancs and elegant Chardonnays with high natural acidity and pronounced citrus and peach flavours

22
Q

What are the most notable grape varieties grown in McLaren Vale?

A
  • Shiraz (old vine)
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Grenache (old vine)
  • Merlot
23
Q

What is the climate of Coonawarra?

A

Moderate maritime

24
Q

What is the distinctive characteristics of the soil in Coonawarra?

A

It is red “terra rosa” soil over a limestone subsoil

25
Q

How are the hot summer temperatures moderated in Coonawarra?

A
  • Cold currents from the Antarctic

- Cloud cover

26
Q

What is the most notable grape variety grown in Coonawarra and what are its characteristics?

A
  • Cabernet Sauvignon

- It has characteristic cassis and menthol or eucalyptus aromas

27
Q

Which area offers some of the coolest vineyards in Australia?

A

Victoria

28
Q

How are the vine growing areas of Victoria cooled?

A
  • Ocean breezes

- Altitude and aspects provided by Great Diving Range

29
Q

What is the climate in Yarra Valley?

A

Cool to moderate maritime

30
Q

Yarra Valley is famous for which grape variety?

A

Pinot Noir

31
Q

Tasting notes for Yarra Valley Pinot Noir

A
  • Rich in fruit (strawberries, plums and dark cherries)
  • Ripe tannins
  • Careful oak handling
32
Q

Which grape varieties are the specialities of Mornington Peninsula?

A
  • Pinot Noir

- Chardonnay

33
Q

Tasting notes for Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay

A
  • High acidity
  • Citrus, pear and apple aromas
  • Softened by MLF
34
Q

What are the characteristics of Geelong Chardonnay?

A

Geelong Chardonnay is renowned for its quality and tends to be complex, concentrated and full-bodied

35
Q

Which grape is the speciality of Goulburn Valley and what are its characteristics?

A
  • Marsanne

- Wines with citrus fruit in youth and developing honeyed aromas with bottle age

36
Q

What is the climate in Hunter Valley?

A
  • Hot and humid

- Cooled by high cloud cover and ocean breezes

37
Q

What is the most common climatic hazard in Hunter Valley? How is it managed?

A
  • Rainy weather at harvest

- With good wine canopy management techniques

38
Q

What is the climate in Margaret River?

A

Warm maritime

39
Q

Which grape varieties are the specialities of Margaret River?

A
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Merlot
  • Chardonnay
  • Sauvignon Blanc (often blended with Semillion)
40
Q

What are the characteristics of Margaret River Chardonnay?

A
  • High natural acidity
  • Concentrated stone-fruit aromas
  • MLF and barrel aging to add complexity
41
Q

What are the typical characteristics of Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc - Semillion blend?

A
  • High acidity

- Attractive gooseberry and tropical fruit aromas

42
Q

Which region is the prime source for base wine for sparkling wine in Australia?

A

Tasmania

43
Q

Name the regions which supply grapes for high volume brands in Australia

A
  • Riverland in South Australia
  • Murray-Darling in Victoria
  • Riverina in New South Wales
44
Q

Which area in Australia is specialized in making botyrtised wines from Semillion?

A

Riverina

45
Q

In which area of Australia, vintage variation is a concern due to wet and windy weather during flowering and harvest?

A

Mornington Peninsula

46
Q

Greater Southern Region of Australia is known for wines from which grape varieties?

A
  • Deep colored Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Peppery Shiraz
  • Floral Riesling