Australia

Question 1

Australia - Factors of Wine Production 1

Answer 1

• Climate: Hot desert interior that is inhospitable to viticulture. Most wines regions are clustered int he southeastern part of the continent.
• Soil: Ancient, eroded and nutrient-poor soil with great diversity.
• Grape Varieties
  
  • White: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Riesling
  • Red: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Grenache, Pinot Noir

Question 2

Australia - Factors of Wine Production 2

Answer 2

• Viticulture
  
  • Vine-growing is concentrated in cooler coastal areas
  • Irrigation is imperative
  • The warm, dry climate tends to produce very ripe grapes. Maintain adequate natural acidity for achieving balance is important
• Vinification
  
  • Australia’s wine industry has long been a world leader in technological development, partly due to a strongly innovative culture and partly because expansion could only be achieved through mechanization due to labor shortages.
  • Acidification is often employed to counterbalance the effects of the country’s warm climate
  • Screw cap for still wines and crown caps for sparkling wines.

Question 3

Australia - Australian Appellation System

Answer 3

• The label integrity Program
  
  • 85% stated grape variety on label
  • 85% stated vintage on label
  • 85% stated region on label
• Geographical Indication (GI)
  
  • Country of Australia
  • South-Eastern Australia
  • State of Origin
  • Zones
  • Regions
  • Sub-Regions

Question 4

Australia - Southeastern Australia - New South Wales - Hunter Valley (Hunter GI)

Answer 4

• Geography: North of Sydney
• Climate: Hot and humid; among the warmest climates in Australia.
• Grape Varieties
  
  • White (60% production): Semillon

Question 5

Australia - Southeastern Australia - New South Wales - Riverina GI

Answer 5

• Geography: Far inland, the largest wine region in Australia
• Climate: Hot and very humid
• Grape Varieties
  
  • White: Semillon, Chardonnay
  • Red: Shiraz, Merlot
• Viticulture
  
  • Riverina represents 50% of production
  • Irrigation from nearby rivers is required
• Vinification
  
  • Riverina is known for bulk table wines but also produces fortified wines and botrytis affected dessert wines

Question 6

Australia - Southeastern Australia - Victoria - Yarra Valley GI

Answer 6

• Climate: Cool, humid, maritime-moderated by the Southern Ocean
• Grape Varieties
  
  • White: Chardonnay
  • Red: Pino Noir, Shiraz
• Vinification: Still and sparkling wine production

Question 7

Australia - Southeastern Australia - Victoria - Rutherglen GI

Answer 7

• Climate: Continental with very hot summers
• Grape Varieties
  
  • White: Muscadelle
  • Red: Shiraz, Brown Muscat
• Vinification
  
  • Still wine production
  • Fortified dessert wines, often referred to locally as “Stickies”

Question 8

Australia - Southeastern Australia - Victoria - Murray-Darling GI

Answer 8

• Climate: Very Hot
• Viticulture
  
  • Riverland planting
  • Irrigation is essential
• Vinification
  
  • An important region for bulk wine production

Question 9

Australia - South Australia - Barossa Valley GI

Answer 9

*The largest, most important premium wine area

• Geography: Near the city of Adelaide
• Climate: Mediterranean
• Grape Varieties
  
  • Red: Shiraz, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon
• Viticulture
  
  • Extremely old vines due to the prevention of phylloxera from reaching this area

Question 10

Australia - South Australia - Eden Valley GI

Answer 10

• Climate: Cooler, higher elevation
• Grape Varieties
  
  • White: Riesling, Chardonnay
  • Red: Shiraz
• Viticulture
  
  • High altitude helps retain acidity in the grapes
• Vinification
  
  • Riesling vinified dry

Question 11

Australia - South Australia - McLaren Vale GI

Answer 11

• Geography: South of Adelaide
• Climate: Warm, yet moderated by cool ocean air
• Grape Varieties
  
  • Red: Shiraz, Grenache
• Viticulture: Vineyards slope down toward the sea to maximize exposure to cool breezes

Question 12

Australia - South Australia - Clare Valley GI

Answer 12

• Greography: 60 miles north of Adelaide
• Climate: Warm continental, Hot days and cool nights
• Topography: 1300~1800 feet elevation
• Grape Varieties
  
  • White: Riesling
  • Red: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon
• Viticulture
  
  • High altidude and cool nights help retain acidity in the grapes
• Vinification
  
  • Dry Riesling production

Question 13

Australia - South Australia - Coonawarra GI

Answer 13

• Geography: Southern strip of land near the sea
• Climate: Cool, Mediterranean climate
• Soil: Best vineyards are on a single, narrow, 9 mile strip with Terra Rossa soil; a vivid red soil over limestone base
• Grape Varieties
  
  • Red: Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 14

Australia - Western Australia - Margaret River GI

Answer 14

• Geography: Western Australia, with Perth being the most important metropolis
• Climate: Warm maritime, with the moderating influences of the Indian Ocean
• Grape Varieties
  
  • White: Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc
  • Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot

Question 15

Australia - Which of the follwing is the largest Australian GI?

Answer 15

• South-Eastern Australia
  
  • South Australia
  • McLaren Vale
  • Western Australia

Question 16

Australia - Which region is famous for its Terra Rossa soil?

Answer 16

• Coonawarra
  
  • Hunter Valley
  • Barossa Valley
  • Yarra Valley

Question 17

Australia - The Clare Valley and the Eden Valley are most noted for which style of wine?

Answer 17

• Dry Riesling
  
  • Dry Semillon
  • Muscat-based sweet wines
  • Pinot Noir

Question 18

Australia - Sparkling wines production thrives in Victoria due to which factor?

Answer 18

• Proximity to cool ocean breezes
  
  • Hot inland air-flow
  • Rain shadow
  • Intense wind

Question 19

Australia - Why does the Barossa Valley have many 100+ year old vines?

Answer 19

• Abseces of phylloxera
  
  • Proximity to the ocean
  • Shiraz prefers older vines
  • Careful planting

Question 20

Australia - Match the Australian GI with its most famous style of wine.

Answer 20

• Eden Valley = Dry Riesling
• Yarra Valley = Pinot Noir
• Brossa Valley = Bold Shiraz
• Hunter Valley = Dry Semillon
• Margaret River = Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc Blends
• Cooawarra = Cabernet Sauvignon
• Rutherglen = Muscat-Based Sweet Wines
• Clare Valley = Dry Riesling
• McLaren Vale = Bold Shiraz