Terms
What is wine?
A commodity - an alcoholic drink which has diffused globally and is an important part of many religions and cultures
Where was vitas vinifera first found to grow (area it is native to)?
Vitis vinifera is native to the eastern Mediterranean regions (Mediterranean basin) known as Mesopotamia - the fertile crescent between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and beyond (parts of Iran, Iraq, Turkey & Syria) - 6000 BC.
What four environmental factors impact wine?
Climate, soil, topography and terroir
What was the name awarded to the growth of vineyards and production of wine in Australia by the first settlers?
A 'new world' wine.
What are the social impacts of wine production and consumption in Australia?
•Wine industry has both positive and negative social and health impacts
•Balancing positive health impacts with the moderate wine consumption of producers
•Trying to avoid antisocial drinking behaviour
•‘New World’ wines – promotion of local wines – growth in agritourism, consumer interests in encouraging a sustainable industry, growth in interest in the environment and the beauty of vineyards (tourism)
What is fermentation?
The interaction of yeast with the natural occurring sugar of the skins of grapes, producing ethanol (pure alcohol) and as a by product carbon dioxide
Who was famous for the first establishment of vineyards in North and South America?
Christopher Columbus who got lost in 1492 discovering North & South America with first vines planted in 1768
How does a cool climate impact wine production?
- less time to ripen
- lower in sugar and alcohol
- higher in acid
- lighter body
- less tannin
- bright fruit flavours
- mostly whites
Which process of globalisation is used to explain the changes in the spatial distribution of wine?
Space-time-convergence
What is one example of an economic implication for the Australian wine industry?
A major commercial risk for Australian exporters, demonstrated when geopolitical tensions or sudden international tariffs close off dominant spatial markets. China and tariffs - loss of revenue also the development of new trade relations
What type of grape is used for wine?
Vitis vinifera
What were the Romans famous for in the origin of wine.
The Romans are more famous for establishing vineyards in places like Spain, France, Germany and even England
How does a hot climate impact wine production?
- more time to ripen
- higher in sugar and alcohol
- low in acid
- fuller
- more tannin
- tropical and stewed fruit
How has containerisation allowed for the diffusion of wine?
Grapes can be grown in optimal Mediterranean or cool-temperate climates (e.g., Margaret River, WA or the Barossa Valley, SA), processed regionally, and economically transported to capital city ports or international markets.
How did COVID impact Australia's wine industry economically?
•2020 sales grew by 18% to the UK due to the closure of restaurants and bars due to COVID-19
What is terroir?
The complete natural environment in which a particular wine is produced, including factors such as the soil, topography and climate.
When and where did the first vines arrive in Australia?
The first vines arrived in Australia 1788 with Captain Phillip on board one of the ships of the First Fleet & planted at Sydney Cove from cuttings obtained from Rio de Janeiro and the Cape of Good Hope.
What is the optimal topography for wine production?
- gentle or steep slopes for water runoff and position vines to receive greatest sunlight
- Slopes allow heavy, cold air to slide down into valley floors, protecting budding vines from damaging spring frosts
- In the Northern Hemisphere, south-facing slopes capture the most warmth and sunlight. In the Southern Hemisphere, north-facing slopes are similarly prized for maximising sun exposure
How has telecommunication aided in the production of wine?
Winemakers utilise real-time satellite weather telemetry and GPS tracking to synchronise vineyard harvesting times perfectly with regional processing plants, optimising efficiency across a highly decentralised spatial network.
What are the environmental implication of production and consumption in Australia's wine industry?
•Climate change
•2021 French vintage projected to be slower by around 30% due to frost
•California been affected by droughts and fires
•2021 season in Aus was the largest on record – 2.03 million tonnes, 31% higher than 2020 vintage and 17% higher than average in the last decade
•Result of ‘goldilocks’ weather conditions
•Greater investment in Tasmania with studies confirming that wine grapes are ripening 1-2 days earlier each year, driven by warmer temps and lower soil moisture levels
What is Phylloxera?
A microscopic sucking insect from the USA that kills grape vines by attacking their root systems.
When and where did the first vines arrive in Western Australia?
The first grape vines in Western Australia were planted near Fremantle soon after the first colonists arrived in 1829.
What are the soil characteristics and key wines produced in the Swan Districts wine region of WA?
Soil: Coastal Sand over limestone, red and gravel loams, grey sand over
clay
Main Grape Varieties: Chenin Blanc, Verdelho, Chardonnay, Muscat,
Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon
What has global e-commerce and telecommunications enabled in the consumption of Australian wine?
E-commerce allows a boutique winery in a remote location to sell directly to a consumer anywhere in Australia or globally, effectively neutralising geographic isolation.
Wineries use digital databases, automated email marketing, and wine club subscriptions to maintain permanent commercial relationships with tourists long after they have physically left the Swan Valley or Margaret River regions.
What is one environmental implication of wine production in the Swan Valley Region?
Groundwater depletion within local aquifers. Intensive irrigation of vineyards, compounded by Western Australia's long-term drying climate trend, severely strains shared underground water resources, threatening local wetland ecosystems and accelerating soil acidification