WINES OF AUSTRALIA

 

WINES OF AUSTRALIA

·         A prolific wine-producing country.

·         Most consumed domestically.

·         Some exported to North America, England, and now to more countries.

·         Captain Arthur Phillip brought vine cuttings when he landed in Australia on 26. 01. 1788 (He, in fact, founded the colony of New South Wales).

·         Now there are more than four hundred wineries.

·         Initially most of the wines were fortified (Port, Sherry, etc.).

·         Table wines are also very popular now.

·         Many rival the best of European wines but are much cheaper.

·         A wide range of climates and soils.

·         Vineyards are as much as 2500 miles apart.

·         Major districts are on the eastern coast, such as the Hunter River valley (north of Sydney).

·         Hunter valley produces only 5% of all wines, but the highest quality.

·         Other areas:

   - Barossa valley, Clare valley and Coonawara in South Australia.

   - Swan valley on the distant west coast (near Perth).

·         Most have generic names (sometimes even without any proper likeness). For example – Claret, Burgundy, Chablis, Sherry, etc.

·         Many marketed by district names. For example – Barossa, Hunter valley, Coonawara, etc.

·         Some are sold by varietal names. For example – Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Riesling, etc.

·         Some have combinations of the district and the grape names.

·         Better to buy by shipper’s name.

·         All classes and types are produced:

- table wines (many of them vintage).

- dessert wines

   - most sparkling wines are made by méthode champenoise.

   - a few by Charmat and impregnation methods also.

·         Strict government and industry regulations exist.

·         Very rigidly controlled by PFDR (Pure Food & Drug Regulations).

·         Appellation system varies from state to state.

·         Some regulations are standard.

·         For example:

   Varietal – 80% from the specified grape.

   Region – 80% from the specified region.

   Vintage – 100% from the specified year.

Names of some famous shippers:

·         Penfolds

·         McWilliam

·         Lindeman

·         Orlando

·         Yalumba

·         Hardy

·         Hamilton

·         Tulloch

·         Best

·         Seppelt