Lesson 4 Principle Wine Regions of the World A unique gift from nature and the earth’s geology Lesson 4: Principle Wine Regions of the World Lesson Overview 4.0 Introduction. 4.15 Israel 4.1 Argentina 4.16 Italy 4.2 Australia 4.17 Japan 4.3 Austria 4.18 Macedonia 4.4 Bulgaria 4.19 New Zealand 4.5 Canada 4.20 Portugal 4.6 Chile 4.21 Romania 4.7 China 4.22 South Africa 4.8 Czech Republic 4.23 Spain 4.9 England and Wales 4.24 Switzerland 4.10 France 4.25 United States of America 4.11 Germany 4.12 Greece Conclusions 4.13 Hungary 4.14 India References Lesson 4: Principle Wine Regions of the World Aims and Learning Outcomes of the Lesson On completion of this lesson the learner will be expected to be able to; Describe the major wine growing countries and regions, their individual classifications and their related wine laws Outline the grape characteristics, geographical and geological factors, plus the viticultural and vinification techniques used to produce wines around the world. Lesson 4: Principle Wine Regions of the World 4.0 Introduction the world of wine is constantly changing and evolving through investment, innovation, the application of new scientific techniques higher quality wines are being produced. wine is a gift of nature and the earth’s geology but is mother nature who is the ultimate boss in the end, the countries explored in this lesson require so many factors to fall into place to produce good wines consistently. Lesson 4: Principle Wine Regions of the World 4.1 Argentina Seventy percent of Argentina’s vineyards are located in the state of Mendoza, which lies under the Andes Mountains and is geographically located on the same latitude as Morocco. A unique intricate system of irrigation, which is supplied from the melted snows of the Andes Mountains by a network of canals begun by the native Indians a thousand years ago (which included a legal framework for equitably dividing water rights, that subsequent generations have luckily inherited) coupled with balanced temperatures and little or no disease ensures that crops are huge. The average crop produces an amazing 70 hectolitres. the most widely planted grape variety is the Malbec once dominant in Bordeaux and flourishing as Auxerrois in Cahors, in Argentina it produces top rich red wine the best vineyards are located near the Andes due to the unique canal system and high altitudes between 600 to 950 metres phylloxera is controlled in Argentina by flooding the vineyards with water from big dams located in the Andes Mountains Torrontes: Argentina’s indigenous white variety, popular and very easy to drink, both for old-style brownish wines and fruiter modern ones. Vineyards and grape varieties Vineyards: The vineyards of Argentina lie above 500 metres above sea level with the exception of Salta (in the sub tropical north), which is close to the town of Cafayate those vineyards reach a height to 2,000 metres. The majority of the vineyards are planted in the parral, or pergola system because of the heat, this helps keep the grapes away from the scorching ground heat. Grape varieties and regions grown: Malbec (Mendoza, Rio Negro) produces full-bodied, bramley red wines with the dark purple colour, rich tannins, peppery and spicy flavours. Torrontes (Cafayate) produces full-bodied, dry white wines with Muscat-like aromas. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot (Cafayate, Mendoza) planted widely for red wines. Chardonnay and Viognier (Mendoza) for white wines. Criolla and Cereza used for basic, local market table wine or in some cases grape concentrates. Major regions and wines of Argentina: Argentina was the first South American country to introduce a DOC system in 1992. Mendoza: only region with a hierarchy of appellations, divided into five regions and a larger number of departments and then subdivisions. San Juan: warmer climates produces light wines, lots of vermouths and grape concentrate. Famatina: far north, very hot contains co-operative cellars, the La Rioja province wines although popular are labelled Famatina Valley because of Spain. Cafayate: the Torrontes (white) grape reins here in this Salta province. High growing altitudes help develop aromas and flavours. Cabernet Sauvignon also grows well here. Rio Negro: located in the far south, this cool region produces a lot of Malbec Lesson 4: Principle Wine Regions of the World 4.2 Australia [ Wine map of Australia ] Lesson 4: Principle Wine Regions of the World 4.2 Australia (continued) The best vineyards are to the south and close to the sea. Australia’s red and white wines display a delicate fruity softness, which is ideal for immediate consumption. Climate and weather: Mediterranean, the cooler areas at found at altitude or close to the coast. Drought can be the biggest problem. Weather can also cause vintage variation. Soils: Very mixed for separate regions, some special soils include the Terra Rossa of Connawarra. Grape Varieties: Although there are about 90 different grape varieties planted commercially in Australia the main grape varieties grown are White: Semillion, Riesling, Chardonnay, Muscat Gordo Blanco, Sauvignon Blanc, Colombard, Verdelho. Black: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Ruby Cabernet, Grenache, Mataro (Mourvedre), Cabernet Franc. Geographical Indications (GI): created in 1993 ‘to determine geographical indications for wine in relation to regions and localities in Australia’. The GI is part of Label Integrity Program to ensure the validity of the information on the bottle label. Local labelling and legal requirements: If regions, varieties or vintages are stated, then 85 per cent of the wine in the bottle must come from those regions, varieties or vintages. Major Australian Regions New South Wales (Hunter Valley, Central Ranges Zone, Big Rivers Zone) Victoria (Western Victoria Zone, North-West Victoria Zone, North-East Victoria, Port Phillip Zone) South Australia (Limestone Coast Zone, Mount Lofty Ranges Zone, Lower Murray Zone, Barossa Zone, Eden Valley region, Fleurieu Peninsular Zone, Western Australia (Greater Perth Zone, South-West Australia Zone), Tasmania. Major Wines Hunter Valley Semillon, Barossa Shiraz, Connawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, Clare and Eden Valley Rieslings, Adelaide Hills Chardonnay, Yarra Valley Pinot Noir, Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River Chardonnay, Rutherglen Liqueur Muscat. Lesson 4: Principle Wine Regions of the World 4.3 Austria Much of the Austrian wine is consumed locally while Germany is it’s biggest export market. Nno country in Europe has changed its attitudes and upgraded its standards so much in the past decade as Austria. Austrian Wine Laws Completely revamped and introduced in 1993, the classification system for the Austrian wine is similar to that of Germany, for example chaptalisation is forbidden for quality wines and the wine label information is also similar for both countries. Classification system for Austrian quality wines. Trockenbeernaulese (top level) Eiswein Ausbruch Beerauslese Auslese Strohwein or Shilfwein. Austrian Vineyards and Grape Varieties The vineyards are mainly concentrated to the east of Austria, 85% of the wines are white and dry made from the indigenous ‘Gruner Veltliner’ (broad variety of flavours) and other varieties, including the noble Riesling (grown for the quality wines giving dry full bodied wines with ripe peachy fruits), Welschriesling (susceptible to noble rot, produces excellent sweet wines in southern Austria), Major Austrian Regions and Wines Austria is split into four regions, these regions are the most important for the international markets (listed below), which are called Weinbauregion, which in turn are split into Weinbaugebiete and districts Grosslage. Niederosterreich Lower Austria: Key wines: Wachau, Kamptal, Kremstal using Gruner Veltliner or Riesling and Weinvieretel DAC using Gruner Vertliner. Burgenland: Key wines: BA, TBA, Eisewein using various GV and Burgenland reds using Blaufrankisch, cuvees. Burgenland lies to the east of Austria on the Hungarian border and produces outstanding sweet wines. Lesson 4: Principle Wine Regions of the World 4.4 Bulgaria Bulgaria Large amount of money invested in recent years Bulgaria’s winemakers are now producing quality wines. Wine Act of 1978 classified its wines as follows; Standard wines: bottom level, light wines drank locally, Special wines: covers sparkling, liqueur and fruit wines. High quality wines geographical origin: wines from unspecified region sold under a brand name, the lowest export standard. High quality wines with declared geographical origin (DGO): states the grape variety and region for example ‘Russe Welschriesling’ Russe being the producing region. Two varieties are blended to make an original taste. Controliran: similar to AC in France, limited mainly to single varieties, the word Controliran will appear on the label, label will state the specified region and specified grape variety, this wine will be tasted by a professional panel. Reserve: this word which only appears on the label on a DGO or Controliran wine and indicates that these wines have been aged in oak for 3-4 years. Special Reserve: limited lots, these wines are the countries best. Bulgarian major wines / grape varieties and wine regions For administrative reasons the country is split into five regions; Black Sea Region, Danube Plain Region, Thracian Valley Region (East and West) and the Struma Valley Region. Of the international red varieties Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Bulgaria was always the major export favourite Merlot and local varieties Mavrud, Melnik, Pamid and Gamza. The whites include Chardonnay, Aligote, Dimiat, Rkatsiteli and Muscat Ottonel. Cabernet Sauvignon (Danube Plain, West and East Thracian Valley), Merlot (East Thracian Valley), Melnik (Struma Valley Region), Chardonnay (Black Sea Region). Lesson 4: Principle Wine Regions of the World 4.5 Canada Canada: 7,821km from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, numerous microclimates produced by mountain ranges and bodies of water. Wine Regions: Southern Ontario around the Great Lakes, most notably Niagara Peninsula and the Okanagen Valley of British Columbia.