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Barbera
ORIGIN: Barbera d’Asti is one of the principal wine-grape varieties in Italy. It is spread throughout 35 provinces, principally in Asti, Alessandria, Cuneo and Pavia, in which it represents 40% to 64% of their viticultural production. Barbera has been fairly successful in Australia due to its full fleshy fruitiness, and compatibility with the warm temperature.
SYNONYMS: Bardera d’Asti, Bonarda, Barbera Bonarda.
CHARACTERISTICS: Barbera is a red variety that features deep color, low tannins and intense level of acidity. It is medium-sized with blue to black berries. Barbera was introduced to Australia via the University of California, Davis during the 1960s. It has then developed more approximately 25 years in the Mudgee region of New South Wales. Other vineyards include those in the King Valle and the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria.
Cabernet Franc
ORIGIN: Southwest of France.
SYNONYMS: Acheria, Bouchy, Gros Bochet, or Bouchet Franc (in Saint Emilion), Grosse Vidure (in Bordeaux)
CHARACTERISTICS: Cabernet Franc is a moderately productive, black variety with medium-sized clusters that have small, round, blue-black berries. It possess distinctive finesse and robust taste.
NOTES: Cabernet Franc came into Australia through the James Busby’s collection of 1832. The Australian Cabernet Franc is usually planted on cool, cool to warm climates like North-Eastern Victoria, McLaren Vale and Clare Valley.
Cabernet Sauvignon
ORIGIN: Bordeaux/France
SYNONYMS: Petit Bouche, Petit Cabernet or Petit Vidure
CHARACTERISTICS: Cabernet Sauvignon is among the most recognized red wine grape variety. It is comparatively easier to cultivate, as well as, fairly consistent in structure and flavors.
NOTES: The world first recognized the greatness of the Australian Cabernet Sauvignon through the Coonawarra region. It features bursting fruity flavors coupled subtle minty notes. Other noteworthy Australian Cabernet Sauvignon includes those of the Margaret River region with its wines that are tightly structured. Cabernet Sauvignon is the second most widely planted red wine in Australia.
Merlot
ORIGIN: For some authors the origin of Merlot is unknown, for others it comes from the Bordeaux region of France.
SYNONYMS: Braucol, Egeodola
CHARACTERISTICS: Merlot possesses medium-sized, conical clusters. Miniscule and slightly blue-black spheroids in appearance, the Merlot is popular for its soft rose petal and subtle palate. Merlot is the perfect companion of Cabernet sauvignon. It complements the suppleness of Cabernet’s stern structure.
NOTES: Merlot has only been recently introduced in Australia. Great Merlot blended varietals in Australia include those in Riverina, Riverland and Murray Darling. Unblended Merlots can be found in areas like the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale.
Mourvédre
ORIGIN: It is thought to have originated from the towns of Mataró in Cataluña and Nurvierdo near Valencia. Nonetheless, though it can be posited that the grape is of Spanish origin, the name Mourvédre is a French derivation.
SYNONYMS: Mataro, Monastrell
CHARACTERISTICS: Mourvédre is a grape varietal that features pleasantly high alcohol level, seductive earthy tones with soft red fruit flavors. The Mourvédre is among the slow-ripening grape variety.
NOTES: The Mourvédre is one of the grape varieties used in Australia’s bulk wines during the 1960s. There are about 12 square kilometers of Australian land planted with Mourvedre. Most of them are in South Australia and New South Wales.
Grenache
ORIGIN: Grenache is believed to have originated in Spain- in Aragon or Catalonia. It is also available in Pyrenees, as well as, Southern France and the Mediterranean.
SYNONYMS: Garnacha, Garnatxa
CHARACTERISTICS: Known as one of the most widely planted grape utilized in the production of red wine, the Grenache grape varietal is celebrated for its fleshy, heady and fruit-forward structure.
NOTES: When grown in warm climate places like Australia, the resulting wine is amazingly aromatic, round and flavorful. The prestigious clone from Australia arrived with James Busby in the 1832 collection. There was also the formal introduction of the new cuttings from the South of France by Christopher Rawson Renfold in 1844.
Pinot Noir
ORIGIN: Long since antiquity, Pinot Noir was already cultivated by various civilizations. The origin of the Pinot Noir varietal is still unclear. Ferdinand Regner proposed that Pinot Noir is but a cross between Pinot meunier and Traminer.
SYNONYMS: Auvernat, Touraine, Noirien, Noirin, Blauburgunder, Burgundax, Spatburgunder, Pinot Nero, Clevner
CHARACTERISTICS: Pinot Noir is often used in the production of sparkling or light bodied, sophisticated dry red wines. This grape varietal is fairly difficult to ferment. Nonetheless, the wine is produces is adequately complex and intense in flavor. It is rich though not heavy, high in alcohol though not acidic.
NOTES: It may seem like a challenge to grow such delicate grape in Australia, nonetheless the country is doing well. Pinot Noir is grown in the cooler areas of southern Australia, notably Yarra Valley, Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula, Beechworth, Whitlands, South Gippsland, Sunbury and Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Adelaide Hills.
Sangiovese
ORIGIN: It was believed that Italian immigrants from Tuscany introduced the Sangiovese grapes to California. Recent studies made by Jose Vouillamoz of the Instituto Agrario di San Michele all”adage points that Sangiovese is a combination of Ciligiolo and Calabrese Montenuovo. Sangiovese literally means “blood of Jove”.
SYNONYMS: Sangioveto, Buonamico and Bonamico.
CHARACTERISTICS: Sangiovese features reddish-black berries that are intensely fruit-forward. Sangiovese thrives in hot, dry climates. It possesses moderate to high natural acidity and medium- full body. Delicately firm and elegant.
NOTES: Sangiovese is abundant in Australia. It was introduced to the country by the CSIRO during the late 1960s. This particular grape varietal is also used by winemakers in the production of rose wines. Just recently, Australian wine makers were able to manufacture a dessert style Sangiovese the coined as “Dolce Nero”.
Shiraz
ORIGIN: It was documented that Shiraz originated in the Rhone region of Southeastern France; nonetheless, there has been various contestation to such claim. One of the most popular hypotheses is that Shiraz came from the Vienna region of France, whose ancestor has been the Vitis allobrogica that is associated with Plinio.
SYNONYMS: Shiras, Sirac, Syrac, Sirrah, Syra, Syras, Petite Syrah.
CHARACTERISTICS: Delightful and productive, Syrah in grown in many countries across the globe. It features clusters of small to medium-sized berries that are elliptical in shape and beautifully black-blue in color. Syrah also possess fine, resistant skin and juicy pulp.
NOTES: Australia is most popular for its Syrah. The grape was introduced to the country by James Busby in 1832. Certain factors too the success of brands like Lindemans and Jacob’s Creek brought about the dramatic expansion of Syrah production in the 1980s and 1990s. As of the year 2006, there are about 41,155 hectares of Shiraz plantations in Australia. The most notable wine regions in Australia include the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Clare Valley.
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