Grape varieties (Australia)
Major grape varieties are Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon,[1] Merlot, Chardonnay,[1] Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Riesling. The country has no native grapes, and Vitis vinifera varieties were introduced from Europe and South Africa in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Some varieties have been bred by Australian viticulturalists, for example Cienna and Tarrango.
Although Syrah was originally called Shiraz in Australia and Syrah elsewhere, its dramatic commercial success has led many Syrah producers around the world to label their wine "Shiraz".
About 130 different grape varieties are used by commercial winemakers in Australia. Over recent years many winemakers have begun exploring so called "alternative varieties" other than those listed above. Many varieties from France, Italy and Spain for example Petit Verdot, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Tempranillo and Viognier are becoming more common. Wines from many other varieties are being produced.
Australian winemaking results have been impressive and it has established benchmarks for a number of varietals, such as Chardonnay and Shiraz. Moreover, Australians have innovated in canopy management and other viticultural and in wine-making techniques, and they have a general attitude toward their work that sets them apart from producers in Europe. Australian wine-makers travel the wine world as highly skilled seasonal workers, relocating to the northern hemisphere during the off-season at home. They are an important resource in the globalization of wine and wine critic Matt Kramer notes that "the most powerful influence in wine today" comes from Australia (Kramer).
GSM blends
GSM is a name commonly used in Australia for a red wine consisting of a blend of Grenache, Shiraz (a.k.a. Syrah), and Mourvèdre.[2] This blend originated from those used in some Southern Rhône wines, including Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Grenache is the lightest of the three grapes, producing a pale red juice with soft berry scents and a bit of spiciness. As a blending component, it contributes alcohol, warmth and fruitiness without added tannins. Shiraz can contribute full-bodied, fleshy flavors of black fruits and pepper. It adds color, backbone and tannins and provides the sense of balance such blends require. Mourvèdre contributes elegance, structure and acidity to the blend, producing flavors of sweet plums, roasted game and hints of tobacco.[3]
Production
Grapevines at Russet Ridge Winery near Naracoorte in the Wrattonbully regionAustralia's most famous wine is Penfolds Grange. The great 1955 vintage was submitted to competitions beginning in 1962 and over the years has won more than 50 gold medals. The vintage of 1971 won first prize in Syrah/Shiraz at the Wine Olympics in Paris. The 1990 vintage was named 'Red Wine of the Year' by the Wine Spectator magazine in 1995, which later rated the 1998 vintage 99 points out of a possible 100. Wine critic Hugh Johnson has called Grange the only First Growth of the Southern Hemisphere. The influential wine critic Robert Parker, who is well known for his love of Bordeaux wines, has written that Grange "has replaced Bordeaux's Pétrus as the world's most exotic and concentrated wine".[4]
McWilliams winery near Griffith in the Riverina wine regionOther red wines to garner international attention include Henschke Hill of Grace,[5][6][7] Clarendon Hills Astralis,[5][6][7] D'Arenberg Dead Arm,[5][6][7] Torbreck Run Rig[5][6][7] and other high-end Penfolds wines such as St Henri shiraz.[5][6][7]
Australia has almost 2000 wine producers, most of whom are small winery operations. The market is dominated by a small number of major wine companies. After several phases of consolidation, the largest Australian wine company by sales of branded wine was Foster's Group in 2001-2003 and then in 2004 and 2005, Hardy Wine Company. Hardys, part of the world's biggest wine company Constellation Brands, had the largest vineyard area and the largest winegrape intake in the years 2001 - 2005.[8]
Although Syrah was originally called Shiraz in Australia and Syrah elsewhere, its dramatic commercial success has led many Syrah producers around the world to label their wine "Shiraz".
About 130 different grape varieties are used by commercial winemakers in Australia. Over recent years many winemakers have begun exploring so called "alternative varieties" other than those listed above. Many varieties from France, Italy and Spain for example Petit Verdot, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Tempranillo and Viognier are becoming more common. Wines from many other varieties are being produced.
Australian winemaking results have been impressive and it has established benchmarks for a number of varietals, such as Chardonnay and Shiraz. Moreover, Australians have innovated in canopy management and other viticultural and in wine-making techniques, and they have a general attitude toward their work that sets them apart from producers in Europe. Australian wine-makers travel the wine world as highly skilled seasonal workers, relocating to the northern hemisphere during the off-season at home. They are an important resource in the globalization of wine and wine critic Matt Kramer notes that "the most powerful influence in wine today" comes from Australia (Kramer).
GSM blends
GSM is a name commonly used in Australia for a red wine consisting of a blend of Grenache, Shiraz (a.k.a. Syrah), and Mourvèdre.[2] This blend originated from those used in some Southern Rhône wines, including Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Grenache is the lightest of the three grapes, producing a pale red juice with soft berry scents and a bit of spiciness. As a blending component, it contributes alcohol, warmth and fruitiness without added tannins. Shiraz can contribute full-bodied, fleshy flavors of black fruits and pepper. It adds color, backbone and tannins and provides the sense of balance such blends require. Mourvèdre contributes elegance, structure and acidity to the blend, producing flavors of sweet plums, roasted game and hints of tobacco.[3]
Production
Grapevines at Russet Ridge Winery near Naracoorte in the Wrattonbully regionAustralia's most famous wine is Penfolds Grange. The great 1955 vintage was submitted to competitions beginning in 1962 and over the years has won more than 50 gold medals. The vintage of 1971 won first prize in Syrah/Shiraz at the Wine Olympics in Paris. The 1990 vintage was named 'Red Wine of the Year' by the Wine Spectator magazine in 1995, which later rated the 1998 vintage 99 points out of a possible 100. Wine critic Hugh Johnson has called Grange the only First Growth of the Southern Hemisphere. The influential wine critic Robert Parker, who is well known for his love of Bordeaux wines, has written that Grange "has replaced Bordeaux's Pétrus as the world's most exotic and concentrated wine".[4]
McWilliams winery near Griffith in the Riverina wine regionOther red wines to garner international attention include Henschke Hill of Grace,[5][6][7] Clarendon Hills Astralis,[5][6][7] D'Arenberg Dead Arm,[5][6][7] Torbreck Run Rig[5][6][7] and other high-end Penfolds wines such as St Henri shiraz.[5][6][7]
Australia has almost 2000 wine producers, most of whom are small winery operations. The market is dominated by a small number of major wine companies. After several phases of consolidation, the largest Australian wine company by sales of branded wine was Foster's Group in 2001-2003 and then in 2004 and 2005, Hardy Wine Company. Hardys, part of the world's biggest wine company Constellation Brands, had the largest vineyard area and the largest winegrape intake in the years 2001 - 2005.[8]
Major wine regions
Zones used for labelling the source of Australian wineFor a list of Australia's wine-producing regions, see here.The information included on wine labels is strictly regulated. One aspect of this is that the label must not make any false or misleading statements about the source of the grapes. Many names (called geographic indications) are protected. These are divided into "South Eastern Australia", the state names, zones (shown in the map), regions, and subregions.[9] The largest volume of wine is produced from grapes grown in the warm climate Murray-Darling Basin zones of Lower Murray, North Western Victoria and Big Rivers. In general, the higher-value premium wines are made from smaller and cooler-climate regions. Some well-known regions are listed below:
South Australia wine regions
In recent years, the Tasmanian wine industry has emerged as a producer of high quality wines. In particular, the Tamar Valley has developed a reputation for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which are well suited to the cooler Tasmanian climate.
Queensland is also developing a wine industry with over 100 vineyards registered in the state. Some notable wines are produced in the high-altitude Granite Belt region in the state's extreme south, production is centred on the towns of Stanthorpe and Ballandean.
References
1.^ a b Walton, Stuart (2005). Cook's Encyclopedia of Wine. Anness Publishing Limited 2002, 2005. pp. s.232, 233. ISBN 0-7607-4220-0.
2.^ J. Robinson (ed) "The Oxford Companion to Wine" Third Edition pg 297-298, 333-334 Oxford University Press 2006 ISBN 0198609906
3.^ Robinson, Jancis Vines, Grapes & Wines Mitchell Beazley 1986 ISBN 1857329996
4.^ The Economist (16 December 1999 ). The globe in a glass
5.^ a b c d e Langton’s Classification of Australian Wine
6.^ a b c d e Langton's Classification of Australian Wine IV, Jancis Robinson
7.^ a b c d e Appellation Australia, An exploration of Australian wine
8.^ News & Information for the Australian Wine Industry
9.^ "Register of Protected Names (includes textual descriptions of Australia's GIs)". Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation. 2003. Archived from the original on 19 August 2006. Retrieved 5 September 2006.
10.^ "Western Australia's Wine Regions". Western Australia. Retrieved 2010 11 25.13.http://www.razorsedgewine.com/About_SA.html
Zones used for labelling the source of Australian wineFor a list of Australia's wine-producing regions, see here.The information included on wine labels is strictly regulated. One aspect of this is that the label must not make any false or misleading statements about the source of the grapes. Many names (called geographic indications) are protected. These are divided into "South Eastern Australia", the state names, zones (shown in the map), regions, and subregions.[9] The largest volume of wine is produced from grapes grown in the warm climate Murray-Darling Basin zones of Lower Murray, North Western Victoria and Big Rivers. In general, the higher-value premium wines are made from smaller and cooler-climate regions. Some well-known regions are listed below:
South Australia wine regions
- Southern Fleurieu
- Adelaide Hills
- Barossa Valley
- Clare Valley
- Coonawarra
- Eden Valley
- Langhorne Creek
- McLaren Vale
- Padthaway
- Riverland
- Wrattonbully
- Alpine Valleys
- Beechworth
- Goulburn Valley
- Grampians
- Heathcote wine region
- Henty
- Mornington Peninsula
- Pyrenees
- Rutherglen
- Yarra Valley
- King Valley
- Hunter Valley
- Mudgee
- Riverina
- New England
- Southern Highlands
- Greater Perth
- Perth Hills
- Peel
- Swan Valley
- South Western Australia
- Blackwood Valley
- Geographe
- Great Southern
- Albany
- Denmark
- Frankland River
- Mount Barker
- Porongurup
- Manjimup
- Margaret River
- Pemberton[25]
In recent years, the Tasmanian wine industry has emerged as a producer of high quality wines. In particular, the Tamar Valley has developed a reputation for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which are well suited to the cooler Tasmanian climate.
Queensland is also developing a wine industry with over 100 vineyards registered in the state. Some notable wines are produced in the high-altitude Granite Belt region in the state's extreme south, production is centred on the towns of Stanthorpe and Ballandean.
References
1.^ a b Walton, Stuart (2005). Cook's Encyclopedia of Wine. Anness Publishing Limited 2002, 2005. pp. s.232, 233. ISBN 0-7607-4220-0.
2.^ J. Robinson (ed) "The Oxford Companion to Wine" Third Edition pg 297-298, 333-334 Oxford University Press 2006 ISBN 0198609906
3.^ Robinson, Jancis Vines, Grapes & Wines Mitchell Beazley 1986 ISBN 1857329996
4.^ The Economist (16 December 1999 ). The globe in a glass
5.^ a b c d e Langton’s Classification of Australian Wine
6.^ a b c d e Langton's Classification of Australian Wine IV, Jancis Robinson
7.^ a b c d e Appellation Australia, An exploration of Australian wine
8.^ News & Information for the Australian Wine Industry
9.^ "Register of Protected Names (includes textual descriptions of Australia's GIs)". Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation. 2003. Archived from the original on 19 August 2006. Retrieved 5 September 2006.
10.^ "Western Australia's Wine Regions". Western Australia. Retrieved 2010 11 25.13.http://www.razorsedgewine.com/About_SA.html