Australia Fundamentals

Question 1

Where in Australia do you find the highest concentration of wine regions?

Answer 1

South East Australia

Question 2

The three grape varieties Shiraz, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon account for how much of all wine production in Australia?

Answer 2

Roughly 65%

Question 3

Would you expect a typical Semillon wine from Hunter Valley to be sweet, off-dry or dry?

Answer 3

Dry

Question 4

In general, does Australian Shiraz have harsher or softer tannins than Syrah from northern Rhône?

Answer 4

Softer tannins

Question 5

Are Syrah wines generally more oaked in France or Australia?

Answer 5

Australia

Question 6

Do Syrah wines generally have higher acidity if they hail from northern Rhône or Australia?

Answer 6

Northern Rhône

Question 7

In 2012, the Australian Wine Industry registered a new name to replace Sherry for Australian wines previously thus name - wha is it?

Answer 7

Apera

Question 8

Which is the most popular method used to make sparkling wines in Australia?

Answer 8

The transfer method (roughly 70% is made this way)

Question 9

What does the unabbreviated ‘GSM’ stand for in Australia?

Answer 9

The abbreviation of a Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro blend

Question 10

What is the term for wines using fruit from more than one region?

Answer 10

Multi-regional blends

Question 11

The grape variety Thompson Seedless is grown in Australia, is this a red or white grape variety?

Answer 11

White

Question 12

The Orange wine region is West of which major city in Australia?

Answer 12

Sydney

Question 13

In what zone would you find Swan Valley Region?

Answer 13

Greater Perth Zone

Question 14

What are the three main irrigation rivers for hot and dry inland wine regions in South Eastern Australia?

Answer 14

Darling, Murray and Murrumbidgee

Question 15

Your glass of Coonawarra red wine has notes of eucalyptus, black cherry and vanilla - what is likely to be made from?

Answer 15

Cabernet Sauvignon grapes

Question 16

The Eden Valley and Claire Valley are classic regions for which white grape variety?

Answer 16

Riesling

Question 17

What is Liqueur Muscat?

Answer 17

A fortified wine, made from late-harvested Brown Muscat

Question 18

Roughly how many wineries are there in Australia?

Answer 18

Over 2,500

Question 19

Mornington Peninsula generally produces Chardonnays with high acidity, what winemaking process can be used to soften their hard edges?

Answer 19

Malolactic fermentation

Question 20

Your Australian wine appears reddish brown, with raisin and oxidative aromas - what is it most likely to be?

Answer 20

Rutherglen Muscat

Question 21

Are traditional Eden Valley Rieslings better for early drinking or are they age-worthy?

Answer 21

Age-worthy, top wines can improve after 10 years or more

Question 22

Coonawarra is famed for its strip of ‘terra rossa’ soil, but what is it?

Answer 22

A type of red clay soil formed on top of limestone

Question 23

Which year are the first vines widely thought to have arrived in Australia?

Answer 23

1788

Question 24

What are Darling, Murray and Murrumbidgee examples of?

Answer 24

Rivers that irrigate hot and dry inland wine regions in South-Eastern Australia