Australian wine
The viticulture in Australia is mainly limited to the southern regions of Australia, that focuses on the states of Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia ( Barossa Valley and Coonawarra, for example ) and a few places in Western Australia (eg Swan Valley), where the climate is temperate.
The climate between the 30th and 40th degree of south latitude, where the Australian viticulture takes place, is characterized by relatively mild summer temperatures of around 20 ° C. However, the rainfall is temporarily very low, so many wine farmers are forced to irrigate their vineyards artificial. In the production of wine products may be mixed from different growing areas. The Australian wine law, however, dictates that over 85 % of the wine contained in a bottle has to come from the growing area indicated on the label. This law, compliance with which is controlled by the Wine and Brandy Corporation continuously, has existed since 1987.
History
Australia produced wine since the 18th century, initially only for its own market. These mostly simple, undemanding varieties were used. In 1820 Gregory Blaxland settled down on its first possession in Australia, the Brush Farm. From there he took different economic activities, such as wine trade, tobacco and grass cultivars. Blaxland was one of the first wine growers in Australia who have successfully cultivated wine.
Blaxland negotiated with land, wine and brandy. On the occasion of its first wine export to England in 1822, its wines have been awarded a medal, the large Silver Medal by the Royal Society of Arts. He was the first Australian who was honored for its wines with a medal and five years later Blaxland received the gold medal. Due to the general simplicity of the wine production fell from about the year 1920's, as the end user who preferred to drink imported, high quality wines.
Since then, increasingly, attempts were made to cultivate sophisticated and high-quality varieties and you started to make " European wines", mainly classics like Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling or Shiraz. This is partly associated with enormous costs for artificial irrigation. Nevertheless, Australian wines are now classics and even possess a quality that hardly inferior to the wine from Italy or France. Australian wine has - successfully spread in Europe - with its highly qualified winemakers.
Varieties
A total of almost 140 grape varieties grown in Australia. Of the total of 173 776 hectares under vine, 42 percent white varieties, with the remaining 58 percent are planted with red grape varieties. Part of the red harvest is also used for the production of rosé.
Of the varieties grown have only about 35 a market significance.
Source: Australian Government, followed by the varieties Gewürztraminer ( 842 hectares), Mourvèdre (795 hectares), Chenin Blanc ( 684 acres ), Cabernet Franc ( 588 hectares), Sangiovese ( 479 hectares), Malbec (440 hectares), Durif (451 acres ), Trebbiano (226 hectares), Tempranillo (312 hectares), Muscat rouge à petits grains (200 hectares), Muscat blanc à petits grains (226 hectares), Tarrango (201 hectares), Muscadelle (197 hectares), Marsanne (199 acres ), Barbera (163 hectares), Doradillo (96 ha), Pinot Meunier (126 hectares), Crouchen (101 hectares), Nebbiolo (97 hectares), Palomino (79 hectares), Touriga Nacional (58 hectares), Roussanne (46 hectares) and Taminga.
The most important wine regions of Australia
The information contained on the label are subject to strict regulations. This is especially true for the designations of origin.
South Australia
In South Australia, there are the following wine regions:
- Clare Valley
- Riverland
- Barossa Valley
- Eden Valley
- Adelaide Hills
- Adelaide Plains
- McLaren Vale
- Langhorne Creek
- Coonawarra
- Padthaway
- Mount Benson
- Wratonbully
- Limestone Coast
- Currency Creek
- Kangaroo Iceland
- Mc Laren Vale
- Southern Fleurien
- Wrattonbully
Victoria
In Victoria there are the following wine regions:
- Alpine Valleys
- Beechworth
- Goulburn Valley
- Grampians
- Heathcote wine region
- Henty
- King Valley
- Mornington Peninsula
- Pyrenees
- Rutherglen
- Yarra Valley
- Bendingo
- Central Victorian Mountain Country
- Geelong
- Mecedon Ranges
- Murray Darling
- Stathbogie Ranges
- Sunbury
- Swan Hill
- Yarra Valley
New South Wales
In New South Wales there are the following wine regions:
- Hunter Valley
- Mudgee
- Riverina
- Canberra District
- Cowra
- Gundagai
- Hasting River
- Hilltops
- Orange
- Pericoota
- Shoalhaven Coast
- Southern Highlands
- Tumbarumba
Western Australia
Vast areas of Western Australia are available because of the dry and hot climate only as pasture for sheep. However, the area around the city of Perth enjoys a pleasant Mediterranean climate.
In Western Australia there are the following wine regions:
- Margaret River
- Swan Valley
- Blackwood Valley
- Geographe
- Great Southern
- Manjimup
- Peel
- Pemberton
- Perth Hills
Tasmania
In recent times, also make wines from Tasmania attention. In particular, the wines from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir found here finest qualities, because they feel comfortable in the cooler climate of the island.
In Tasmania there are the following wine regions:
- Northwest
- Tamar Valley
- Pipers River
- East Coast
- Coal River
- Derwent Valley
- Southern
Features and criticism
The style of Australian wines is often marked by great fruit richness and so the wines from South America or California closer than the Old World. Criticized on Australian wine is then occasionally Ablehnern of this style of the " jammy " character of many wines, and occasionally his factory-like, focused on huge amounts of production that stand contrary to the more artisanal wine tradition of Europe. However, there are some highly interesting, great wines that are still sometimes neglected and fall back on a more than 100 -year-old wine-making tradition here. Several of these varieties are awarded for over 30 years, and some wineries have been awarded the highest rating of 5 stars.
Wine Industry
Australia is regarded worldwide sixth of the world's largest wine producer with a total harvest of approximately nine million hectoliters in 2001. The wine export in the country is growing tremendously. So Australia exported from summer 2006 to summer 2007, a total of wine worth over two billion Australian dollars. From 2001 to 2005, the export volume has doubled. A re- doubling in the next five years is likely.
From Australia comes a series of high-quality and internationally excellent wineries, such as Peter Lehmann, Lindemans, Logan, Penfolds, Wolf Blass or Sandalford.
Classification
The "Labelling Integrity Program " ensures that the label is called the field of production, the vintage and the grape varieties used. A system of " Geographical Indications " defines the areas of origin at different levels. " Produce of Australia" is the basic name followed by "South - Eastern Australia ", labeled with the term is most often blended wines. " State of Origin " is more specific, and each Australian state has a number of " zones". "Regions" and " subregions " are still smaller units. Wine of Spitzenreblagen can carry the designation Outstanding or Superior.