DiscoverWine Australian Wine Regions • 1 Australia for Australian Wine Discover Australian Wine Regions and Varieties Discover Australian wine There’s nothing in the world like Australian wine because there’s nothing like the climate, soils and regions of Australia. We have some of the oldest geology and most complex soils in the world. The Australian wine community today is founded on the explorers of the past, who identified the optimal vineyard sites and the sophisticated winemaking techniques that make our fine wines so special. Australian winemaking and grapegrowing is constantly evolving. Our winemakers and viticulturists are curious, willing to experiment and to challenge convention to ensure that they craft authentic wines that are a true expression of place. From the iconic to the lesser known, our 65 wine regions each boast distinct characteristics that are expressed in wines made by talented winemakers attuned to their land. This brochure provides a snapshot of that regional diversity, and of the main wine styles for which Australia is renowned. Wine is the sum of its parts. There’s nothing like Australian wine because there’s nothing like the people and the places of Australia. We invite you to discover more about what makes Australian wine authentic, unique and exciting. Andreas Clark CEO Wine Australia Discover a snapshot of Explore eight of our our regions from page 5. wine styles from page 37. wineaustralia.com • WineAustralia • @Wine_Australia • WineAustralia • #AussieWine Regional snapshot A taste of some of our wine regions Adelaide Hills • 6 Langhorne Creek • 20 Barossa Valley • 8 Riverland • 21 Canberra District • 10 Margaret River • 22 Clare Valley • 12 McLaren Vale • 24 Coonawarra • 14 Mornington Peninsula • 26 Granite Belt • 16 Rutherglen • 28 Heathcote • 17 Tasmania • 30 Hunter • 18 Yarra Valley • 32 Orange • 34 Discover Australian Wine Regions • 6 Adelaide Hills Altitude and attitude The wines from Adelaide Hills are shaped by the The rebirth of the area as a wine region began with coolness of the region’s altitude, its changing seasons winemaker Brian Croser and his family planting and the skill and passion of its winemakers. There were Chardonnay in the region in 1979. Brian had identified vines planted in the Adelaide Hills as early as the 1870s the potential of the region as one of the best places but due to the challenges of cool-climate viticulture in Australia to plant cool climate loving varieties. He in those early days, most vines were removed by the was soon joined by other Australian wine pioneers 1930s. The rebirth of the Adelaide Hills region started including Stephen George at Ashton Hills, Geoff in 1970s and gained pace with the rise in popularity of Weaver in Lenswood and Michael Hill Smith and Martin cool climate wines in the 1980s and 1990s. Shaw at Shaw and Smith. Today there are around 100 producers in Adelaide Hills who have planted over The cooler climate defines the Adelaide Hills and 4,000 hectares of vines between them. provides them with a distinctive point of difference to other South Australian regions that has allowed it to While still a young wine region, the Adelaide Hills has spearhead the evolution of Australian wine in recent been acclaimed around the world for many years years. Its winemaking evolution continues to this day, for wonderful expressions of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and it is now a hotbed of creativity; home to bold, Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz. The region has played a boundary-pushing grape growers and winemakers. vital part in the evolution of Australian wine and is itself constantly evolving. Emerging varieties are finding a home in the Hills and it is home to cutting-edge winemakers pushing the boundaries and expanding the possibilities for fine Australian wine. Total vineyard area Altitude Latitude 3052ha 400–500m 34° 00'S Growing season rainfall Mean temperature (Jan) Heat degree days 280–320mm 19.1°C 1270 Discover Australian Wine Regions • 7 Adelaide Hills Top varieties grown Climate Chardonnay • Altitude creates various meso- • Complex medium weight wines with good natural acidity. climates but overall the climate A decent amount of Chardonnay, especially from the is cool cooler sites, is used in the production of sparkling wine. • The region is very hilly with various valleys and sub-valleys Pinot Noir • Some west-facing slopes in the • Adelaide Hills is the leading region in South Australia northern area are warm enough for the production of high quality Pinot Noir. The style is to ripen Cabernet Sauvignon typically medium-bodied with ripe cherry and strawberry fruit with soft tannins. A proportion of Pinot Noir • Most of the region is best suited contributes to the production of high quality sparkling to early ripening varieties wines. Sauvignon Blanc • This is the most widely planted white variety in the Soil Adelaide Hills and is often referred to as the benchmark for Sauvignon Blanc in Australia. The style tends towards • Predominantly grey-brown or ripe tropical flavours with hints of gooseberry and brown loamy sands herbaceousness, with crisp acidity, great length and • Some patches of mostly sandy intensity. soils Shiraz • While the concept of Shiraz and Pinot Noir performing well in the same region may be a beguiling concept to some, the success of these varieties in the Adelaide Hills speaks volumes for the size of the region and diversity of microclimates available to grape growers and winemakers. In recent years the region has become a leader in cool climate Australian Shiraz, producing wines with elegance, length and balance. Plan your trip • To find out more about the region’s wineries and events and how to get around, go to adelaidehillswine.com.au Discover Australian Wine Regions • 8 Barossa Valley Old vines and classic wines If you could only choose Australian wine region to writers and sommeliers to wine geeks and novices. truly showcase the history, evolution and revolution of Shiraz is the Barossa’s star performer, but varieties like Australian wine then you could do a lot worse than pick Grenache, Mourvedre/Mataro, Riesling and Semillon the Barossa Valley. There are sixth generation grape all have a long and distinguished history of producing growing families in the region, custodians to Australia’s exceptional wines. largest collection of old vines with blocks dating back Today, there’s a generation of winemakers who are, to the 1840’s. once again, helping to change the face of wine in the In recent years, traditional Barossa varieties like Shiraz, Barossa Valley. Some come from families that have Grenache and Mataro have been joined by a new been part of the fabric of the region since the 1800s. wave of Mediterranean varieties, suited to the region’s Others have been drawn from afar, coming from soils and climate. The region has also been invigorated around the world to explore the rich tapestry of soils by a new breed of winemakers who have challenged and terroirs that make the region world renowned. the status quo while still maintaining an inherent love They are exploring innovative choices of grape and respect for the Barossa traditions and culture. varieties and experimenting with grape growing and With a rich vine and wine history dating back to winemaking styles. Organic and biodynamic farming, 1842, the Barossa Valley is one of the most historic earlier picking dates, whole bunch fermentation, wine producing regions in Australia. The region was extended skin contact, fermentation in amphorae and pivotal in the evolution of Australian wine in the 1970s minimal intervention winemaking are just some of the and 1980s, helping to bring fine Australian wine to a ways that people are innovating in a traditional wine global audience. The diverse range of wines from the region like the Barossa Valley. region have won over the world’s wine lovers, from wine Total vineyard area Altitude Latitude 11,370 ha 250–370m 34° 29'S Growing season rainfall Mean temperature (Jan) Heat degree days 160mm 21.4°C 1710 Discover Australian Wine Regions • 9 Barossa Valley Top varieties grown Climate Cabernet Sauvignon • The region has a Meditarranean • Tends to do best in the cooler sites and in cooler vintages climate ideal for full-bodied red in this region. The Barossa Cabernet style is generally wines, excellent fortified wines richer with riper fruit character and softer tannins than and generally robust white wines. Coonawarra and Margaret River. • The climate ranges from warm on the valley floor to cool at Grenache the higher altitudes in the hills • Often blended with both Shiraz and Mataro (GSM) surrounding the Valley. to produce classic complex and textured red wines. • The region has a large diurnal Grenache is also made as a single varietal wine with rich temperature range, high with ripe raspberry and peppery spice character. maximum temperatures, high Riesling sunshine days and low humidity and rainfall. • The most important white variety of the region with classic lime flavours and aromas. Can age gracefully for 10 years or more. Shiraz • Occupies 50% of the vineyard plantings and is the most Soil famous variety in the Barossa. The Barossa has some of the oldest Shiraz vines in the world dating back to 1843. • The complex system of valleys The style is typically full-bodied with ripe fruit and plush and twisting hills results in a tannins; the very best examples moderate this natural variety of slopes, aspects and richness with balanced acidity and a focused pure fruit sites. character. • The soils vary widely, but fall in a family of relatively low-fertility clay loam through to more sandy soils, ranging through grey to brown to red. • As in so much of south-east Plan your trip Australia, acidity increases in the • To find out more about the subsoils, restricting root growth region’s wineries and events and vigour.