Comparison of Australian Wine Regions Victoria

COMPARISON OF AUSTRALIAN WINE REGIONS VICTORIA KING VALLEY OVENS VALLEY HEATHCOTE BEECHWORTH ZONE North East Victoria North East Victoria Central Victoria Victoria REGION Alpine Valleys Alpine Valleys Heathcote North East Victoria SUB-REGION King Valley Ovens Valley N/A Beechworth TOPOGRAPHY Elevation increases from north to Lies within the North East Victoria Situated on the northern side of The Beechworth Region lies within south from a lower elevation zone in the foothills of the the Great Dividing range, the North East Victoria zone in the (approx 150 metres above sea- Victorian Alps. The region is part elevation ranges from 160 to 320 foothills of the Victorian Alps. The level) toward the snowline of the of a group making up the Alpine metres.Within the region there are region is part of a group making Great Diving Range. Soils range Valleys. Soils vary with elevation many subregions and up the Alpine Valleys. The soils from grey/black alluvial soils in from the Ovens Valley flood plain consequently differing terroirs and vary with elevation from the the valleys to deep red to 552m at Beechworth, with microclimates. It is this variation Ovens Valley flood plain to 552 Craznezoams derived from the older soils, reddish brown in of terroir that gives the wines of metres at Beechworth. The flood weathering of volcanically derived colour on the higher elevations. the region their richness and plain has fertile sandy alluvial soils basalts (similar to soils found in diversity. The climate geology and and on the higher elevations are the Pipers Brook region of topography varies greatly. older soils, reddish brown in Tasmania). colour. CLIMATE Continental climate with high The two climatic elements- The north is drier than the south The Beechworth region has a humidity. Progressive increase in temperature and rainfall- are and likely to receive on average cool, sub-alpine, frosty climate. rainfall and decrease in heat directly related to altitude. Due to 5-10mm less rain per month summations from north to south. this, climate varies throughout the during the vines¡¯ growing season Climatic variability makes this one region. It is strongly continental, (April to October). Southern of the most diverse regions in with spring frost the major vineyards also experience cooler terms of grape varieties and wine viticultural hazard. Temperature is temperatures during the growing styles. An ideal climate for moderated at night by a cooling season. This variation in sparkling wine. breeze known locally as the temperature during the grape Buffalo breeze coming off Mt ripening period results in a spread Buffalo. of picking dates and subsequently the development of a range of different flavour profiles. WINE STYLES Known for Chardonnay with its Focus is on Pinot Noir, Riesling Premium Shiraz defined by inky The region’s producers grow a rich mellow flavours and and Chardonnay, which revels in depth of colour and deep, dark, range of varieties with, however, Cabernet Sauvignon that is the cool climate. Fortified wine, complex fruit. a focus on Pinot Noir, Riesling and flavoursome and generous with verjuice and organically certified Chardonnay which revels in the soft tannins. Increasing trend wine are also feature products cool climate. Fortified wine, toward Mediterranean varieties from this region. verjuice and organically certified such as Pinot Gris. wine are also feature products from this region. COMPARISON OF AUSTRALIAN WINE REGIONS VICTORIA - CONTINUED KING VALLEY OVENS VALLEY HEATHCOTE BEECHWORTH AREA PLANTED 500 hectares (total for Alpine Valleys) 1,200 hectares ANNUAL PRODUCTION 2,000 - 4,000 tonnes (total for Alpine Valleys) TBA INTERSTING FACTS The King Valley wine story began Gold digging and bushranging The region, like so many in Gold digging and bushranging in the 1970s when Guy Darling (eg Ned Kelly and mates) were the Victoria, was given over to sheep (eg Ned Kelly and mates) were the and John Levigny planted vines. main pursuits in the 1800s. Some grazing in its earliest white history, main pursuits in the 1800s. Some Brown Brothers came in to buy vines were planted to produce followed by gold mining and then vines were planted to produce the grapes and has remained an wine for the goldfields; however, in the 20th century wine wine for the goldfields, however, important buyer and landholder the vineyards today are all production. Although the first the vineyards today are all since. The real growth spurt, planted from the 1970s. vines appeared in the 1860s, it planted from the 1970s. The however, came when many local was the 1960s that saw sustained history of the region can best be Italian farmers (many of them development which has continued experienced in the town of brought to Australia as prisoners to this day. Beechworth which has preserved of war) switched from tobacco its heritage. growing to vines as that industry began to decline and wine came into the ascendant. Produced by Negociants International. August 2004.

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