Hunter
Valley, Australia – Wine Region Report
Australia has been a rising force in the wine industry,
particularly due to the Hunter Valley wine region. Like any successful wine
region, the Hunter Valley has several key wine-growing factors, including good
location, climate, and iconic grape varietals. Before the Hunter Valley was colonized
by European settlers, the Australian aboriginal Wonnarua tribe inhabited the
land. The Wonnarua developed an independent trading route between Hunter Valley
and Sydney, creating a perfect method of importing and exporting between the
two (Hunter Valley Wine Country Tourism 2010).
The
Hunter Valley is composed of the Upper and Lower Hunter Valley, but is
recognized as one Geographic Indication under Australia’s wine appellation system.
It was registered as a GI zone in 1996 (visitvineyards.com). Semillon is the
Hunter Valley’s most recognized wine, but Cabernet, Chardonnay, Sauvignon,
Shiraz, and Verdelho are also grown and produced in the region. The most widely
planted grape variety is Chardonnay, which accounts for more than 70% of
planted vines in the Upper Hunter Valley. It is, however, closely followed by
Semillon.
Due to few government restrictions on viticultural
practices, growers in the Hunter Valley experiment with wine blends and
varieties. However, Hunter Valley is still regulated by the Australian Wine and
Brandy Corporation. According to the Corporation, for a grape variety to appear
on a wine label, it must account for at least 85% of the wine. In order for a
wine to be labeled with a specific region, like the Hunter Valley, at least 85%
of the grapes have to be from that region (MacNeil 2001).
Overall, the Hunter Valley region is just as unique as the
wine it produces. It is home to much experimentation but also rooted heavily in
Australian growing tradition. The Semillon in Australia is tailored to the
Hunter Valley’s specific climate, changing the properties of the grape itself.
According to Australian wine writer Campbell Mattinson, the Hunter Valley
should be regarded and remembered because it “produces wine…that is
acknowledged as the best in the world” (winecountry.com)
Australia has been a rising force in the wine industry,
particularly due to the Hunter Valley wine region. Like any successful wine
region, the Hunter Valley has several key wine-growing factors, including good
location, climate, and iconic grape varietals. Before the Hunter Valley was colonized
by European settlers, the Australian aboriginal Wonnarua tribe inhabited the
land. The Wonnarua developed an independent trading route between Hunter Valley
and Sydney, creating a perfect method of importing and exporting between the
two (Hunter Valley Wine Country Tourism 2010). 
However, it wasn’t until Sydney was settled that wine
growers discovered the Hunter Valley. Originally known for its timber and coal,
grapevines were planted in Hunter Valley soon after they were first planted in
Sydney. According to one website, by 1840 “the Hunter Valley’s registered vineyard
area exceeded 500 acres” and now is home to more than 150 wineries (winecountry.com).
The
Hunter Valley is composed of the Upper and Lower Hunter Valley, but is
recognized as one Geographic Indication under Australia’s wine appellation system.
It was registered as a GI zone in 1996 (visitvineyards.com). Semillon is the
Hunter Valley’s most recognized wine, but Cabernet, Chardonnay, Sauvignon,
Shiraz, and Verdelho are also grown and produced in the region. The most widely
planted grape variety is Chardonnay, which accounts for more than 70% of
planted vines in the Upper Hunter Valley. It is, however, closely followed by
Semillon. 
Although
the Hunter Valley is labeled as a Mediterranean climate zone, it is subject to
harsh weather extremes. Lower Hunter growers receive more annual rainfall than
Upper Hunter growers, although the two subregions don’t experience much
variation in temperature. These extremes are what create Australian’s
Semillon’s unique quality and flavor. Ordinarily classified as a low tannin
grape, in the Hunter Valley, it takes on a toasty, honey-like quality with rock
and mineral notes.
Hunter Valley Semillon is almost always unoaked, yet still gives
the drinker a barreled impression. It has often even fooled “professional
tasters of being an oak-aged Chardonnay” (Robinson 2006). In Australia, German
Riesling is even referred to as “Rhine Reisling” in order to avoid confusing it
with the better known “Hunter River Reisling,” which is actually just
Australian Semillon (Antcliff, Kerridge 1999).
Hunter Valley Semillon is almost always unoaked, yet still gives
the drinker a barreled impression. It has often even fooled “professional
tasters of being an oak-aged Chardonnay” (Robinson 2006). In Australia, German
Riesling is even referred to as “Rhine Reisling” in order to avoid confusing it
with the better known “Hunter River Reisling,” which is actually just
Australian Semillon (Antcliff, Kerridge 1999). Due to few government restrictions on viticultural
practices, growers in the Hunter Valley experiment with wine blends and
varieties. However, Hunter Valley is still regulated by the Australian Wine and
Brandy Corporation. According to the Corporation, for a grape variety to appear
on a wine label, it must account for at least 85% of the wine. In order for a
wine to be labeled with a specific region, like the Hunter Valley, at least 85%
of the grapes have to be from that region (MacNeil 2001).
Overall, the Hunter Valley region is just as unique as the
wine it produces. It is home to much experimentation but also rooted heavily in
Australian growing tradition. The Semillon in Australia is tailored to the
Hunter Valley’s specific climate, changing the properties of the grape itself.
According to Australian wine writer Campbell Mattinson, the Hunter Valley
should be regarded and remembered because it “produces wine…that is
acknowledged as the best in the world” (winecountry.com)
Sources:
Kerridge, G., & Antcliff, A. (1999). Wine grape varieties. CSIRO PUBLISHING
MacNeil, K. (2001). The Wine Bible. New York:
Workman Publishing
Robinson, J. (2006). The Oxford Companion to Wine.
Oxford: Oxford UP.
"Hunter Valley Wine Country." (2010). Hunter Valley Wine Country Tourism.
Winecountry.com
Visitvineyards.com
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