Barossa Valley (wine)

Coordinates: 34°31′00″S 138°52′48″E / 34.516741°S 138.87989°E / -34.516741; 138.87989
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
This article is about the wine region in South Australia. For the wine zone, see Barossa zone (wine). For other uses, see Barossa (disambiguation).

Barossa Valley
Wine region
Aerial view of the Barossa Valley
TypeGeographical indication (GI)
Year established1997[1]
Years of wine industrySince 1843; 181 years ago (1843)
CountryAustralia
Part ofBarossa Zone
Growing seasonOctober–April
Climate regionMediterranean
Heat units1710[2]
Soil conditionsClay loam through to sandy[2]
Size of planted vineyards10,350 hectares (25,600 acres)
Varietals produced
No. of wineries150+[3]
CommentsData from 2012[2]

The Barossa Valley wine region is one of

full bodied red wine with rich chocolate and spice notes. This led to a renaissance in the Barossa Valley which catapulted the region to the forefront of the Australian wine industry.[6]

Many of Australia's largest and most notable wineries are either headquartered or own extensive holdings in the Barossa Valley. These include such wineries as

Semillon.[8]

In February 2011, South Australian Premier Mike Rann announced that special legislation would be introduced to protect the unique heritage of the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale. Premier Rann said: "Barossa and McLaren Vale food and wine are key icons of South Australia. We must never allow the Barossa or McLaren Vale to become suburbs of Adelaide."[9] The Character Preservation (Barossa Valley) Act 2012 was subsequently passed by the South Australian Parliament.[10]

History

George Angas and the South Australian Company promised Sileasian refugees safe passage and land in the Barossa Valley, ushering in the Germanic influence that would shape the Barossa wine industry.

In December 1837 an expedition led Colonel William Light and was surveyed in 1839 by his assistant surveyor, William Jacob (1814–1902), as part of a wider survey of the Barossa region. Light chose the name in memory of the British victory over the French in the Battle of Barrosa, in which he fought in 1811. The name "Barossa" was registered in error, due to a clerical error in transcribing the name "Barrosa".[citation needed]

While most of Australia's wine industry was directly influenced by the involvement of the British, the Barossa Valley was shaped by the influence of German settlers fleeing persecution from the Prussian province of Silesia.

agricultural crops, the settlers found the warm fertile valley to be ideally suited for viticulture. The early years of the Barossa Valley winemaking ushered in a long period of trial and error for while the settlers were skilled farmers, their previous homeland of Silesia had little to no winemaking tradition.[12]

The early focus of the Barossa Valley wine industry was on the production of Riesling, a

port-style wines" would become the center of the Barossa Valley wine industry for decades to come. When the focus on the Australian wine industry shifted in the mid-20th century to production of premium, non-fortified wines, the Barossa Valley was regarded as an "inferior" wine region compared to cooler climate regions such as Coonawarra and Padthaway. This was partly due to the extensive association that the Barossa Valley had with Shiraz, including vast old vines plantings that were several decades old. During this period Shiraz was considered a very "common" variety that was not as fashionable as the prestigious Cabernet Sauvignon that was popular in the world's wine market.[13] Most of the grapes produced in the Barossa Valley during this time was used as part of anonymous blends with the name "Barossa Valley" rarely appearing on wine labels.[6]

By the late 20th century, the reputation of the Barossa Valley started to change as several small boutique varieties began earning critical acclaim for their Barossa Valley wines. In particular, Barossa Shiraz became so well known internationally that it was considered its own unique style of Syrah that was distinctive of the grape's expression in other regions like

California. This style of big, full bodied Shiraz with rich, chocolate and spice notes became synonymous with not only the Barossa Valley but with Australian wine in general. In the words of Master of Wine Jancis Robinson, the Barossa Valley became "Australia's quintessential wine region".[6]

Climate and geography

The foothills of the Barossa Ranges offers macroclimates that are quite distinct from the flatter valley floor vineyards featured in lead picture above.

In general the Barossa Valley has a continental climate but its series of

viticultural irrigation is often used. The exception is many of the old vine vineyards on the slightly cooler western side of the valley which is often dry-farmed without irrigation.[6]

Viticulture and winemaking

Grapes in the Barossa Valley can get very ripe with high sugar and low acid levels.

Most of the Barossa Valley makes extensive use of irrigation to supplement the region's low rainfall supply during the growing season. However, concerns about

acid levels.[13]

The generally hot climate of the Barossa Valley usually means that the grapes become

aroma notes, often used more than French oak.[6]

Grapes and wine

Many of Australia's most well known wines, such as this Penfolds Shiraz, come from the Barossa Valley.
Vineyards in the Barossa Valley at dusk

While the Barossa Valley is most commonly associated with its signature grape variety of

Rhone varieties, with increase production of Grenache and Mourvedre (also known as Mataro in Australia) for both blending and varietal bottlings. Many of these vines are remnants of the Barossa's fortified wine history and such have substantial age themselves.[6]

Despite its reputation as a red wine region, the Barossa Valley does produce a large amount of white wine.

Eden Valley wine region
that borders the Barossa Valley wine region to the east and which has developed an international reputation for the quality of its Riesling.

The plantings of Semillon in the Barossa Valley have evolved to develop its own unique pink-skinned

New South Wales. Barossa Semillon is characterized by its full body, golden colour and low acidity. Traditionally the wine was fermented in oak but in recent years has been produced more with stainless steel. Barossa Chardonnay is often oaked and subjected to malolactic fermentation which produces a big, full body creamy wine.[6]

Notable wineries

References

  1. ^ "Barossa Valley". Australian Grape and Wine Authority. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  2. ^ a b c "Barossa Valley Wineries". Wine Australia. Archived from the original on 9 October 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  3. ^ "Barossa". Barossa. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  4. ISBN 1-56305-434-5
  5. ^ N. Parode "Barossa Valley: Australia's Flagship Wine Region" Into Wine, Accessed: 15 January 2010
  6. ^
    ISBN 0-7892-0883-0
  7. ISBN 0307346358
  8. ISBN 0-451-18169-7
  9. ^ 891 ABC, 9 February 2011:"No Urban Sprawl into Wine Region"
  10. ^ "Character Preservation (Barossa Valley) Act 2012" (PDF). Government of South Australia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 November 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  11. ^ Max Allen, The History of Australian Wine: Stories From the Vineyard to the Cellar Room, Carlton, Victoria: Victory Books, 2012, p. 91
  12. ^
    ISBN 0-671-68702-6
  13. ^
    ISBN 1-84000-332-4
  14. ^ a b Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation "Barossa Valley Archived 25 November 2009 at the Wayback Machine" Official Site, Australian Government. Accessed: 13 January 2010
  15. ^
    ISBN 0-7566-1324-8

External links

34°31′00″S 138°52′48″E / 34.516741°S 138.87989°E / -34.516741; 138.87989

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