Australia - Western Australia/South West Australia Zone
4 important questions on Australia - Western Australia/South West Australia Zone
What is the climate of Western Australia
What are the moderating influences on the climate of Western Australia's best-known wine region Margaret River.
- Located at the very south-western corner
- surrounded by water on 3 sides:
- Indian Ocean - north & west; warm ocean - night temperatures do not lower much
- Southern Ocean - south
- Latitude 34S, days still warm.
- Maritime influences prevent for spring frost
- High rainfall >1000mm
- Ripe fruit character is typical for Margaret River wines
What grapes are grown in Margaret River? Describe the growing environment too.
- 5000ha - 50/50 black/white
- Cabernet Sauvignon most planted black.
- Blended with Merlot
- Sauvignon blanc & Semillon most planted whites (blended also)
- grassy, herbaceous, gooseberry, tropical fruit, stainless steel
- Bordeaux style wines, matured in French oak
- Premium white Chardonnay:
- high in acidity, stone fruit aromas
- full body, MLF blocked, French oak (some new), lees contact.
- Flat region with hills and valleys (40-90m)
- Gravelly soils: free draining, irrigation essential
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What are the main grapes of the Great Southern region? What is the flagship variety? And where are they planted?
- 2000ha
- 59% black varieties
- Shiraz 30% of the total (Mount Barker and Frankland)
- Cabernet Sauvignon (Mount Barker, Denmark): intens black fruit
- Riesling is the flagship variety - in Porongurup
- Also Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc
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