South Australia - Limestone Coast Zone - Coonawarra
3 important questions on South Australia - Limestone Coast Zone - Coonawarra
What is the climate in Coonawarra, to which region in Europe can it be compaired?
- Moderate ocean influenced climate similar to Bordeaux France but slightly warmer and drier in the growing season.
- the area is so flat (110km inland) that sea breezes reach that far.
- Rainfall is low
- Spring frost can be a hazard (sprinklers in place)
- Irrigation is widely used - underground aquifers.
Coonawarra best wines come from a specific soil. Which soil is this? What are the characteristics of this soil.
- Terra Rossa soil - red soil; a free-draining iron rich loam over a hard limestone base.
- 50cm in depth
- Roots may struggle to access water
- Slightly alkaline - can restrict uptake of nutrients.
- Benefits: the above restricts vigour, giving lower yields of concentrated grapes.
- Under the hard limestone is a softer layer, that retains water.
- GI covers almost 5000ha including limestone and brown/black clay soils
Coonawarra is producing some of Australia's finest red wines. From which grapes and which styles are produced?
- Cabernet Sauvignon, over half of the plantings; m/f bodied, m/h alcohol, high tannins, dark fruit with mint and eucalyptus. Matured in oak for spice notes.
- Shiraz, lighter bodied than Barossa Shiraz, concentrated blackberry, herbal, minty, sometimes blended with Cab. Sav.
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