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Regions
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Regions
of the Southern Hemisphere
Each
of the Southern Hemisphere countries offers a unique combination
of climate, viticulture, varietals and terroir. The different
environments allow for wines with unique characteristics. Argentina,
Australia, Chile, New Zealand and South Africa combined have
a wine history of more than 1500 years.
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Argentina
Argentina
is the fifth largest producer of wine in the world and produces
about four times as much wine as Chile. Most of it is consumed
in the home market as it exports only 8.2M cases, about 3.5%.
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Spanish
colonization in 1541 brought over Vitis Vinifera vines and the
first record of a vineyard dates back to 1557 in Santiago del
Estero. Vines came from different sources, including Italy.
The
country is known for Malbec, Bonarda, Tempranillo, Barbera, Lambrusco,
Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Syrah and others. The most widely
planted white varietals are Pedro Xeminez, Moscatel, Torrontes,
Chenin Blanc, Semillon, Riesling, Chardonnay and others.
90%
of the wine is produced in the Cuyo region, which is includes
the provinces of Mendoza, at about the same latitude as Santiago
in Chile, and San Juan which is hotter and drier to the North
of that. The regions further north include La Rioja and Salta.
Rio Negro in the south.
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on Argentina
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Australia
Captain
Arthur Philip, the first Governor of the penal colony in New South
Wales recognized the potential of winemaking in 1788.
Australia's number one grape is Shiraz, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon,
Chardonnay, Riesling and Semillon.
Plantings
started in New South Wales. Today South Australia is the biggest
producer (over 50%), followed by New South Wales, Victoria, Western
Australia, Queensland and Tasmania.
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on Australia
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Chile
Chile
is ranked 16th on the list of wine producers. Spanish colonialists
brought vines to Chile and the first harvest reportedly took place
in 1551. The first vineyards were established close to Santiago
in 1554.
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Since
the mid-1980's the country started developing its export and shifted
viticulture towards Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot/Carmenere, Sauvignon
Blanc and Chardonnay.
The
wine regions from north (warmest) to south are regions are Aconcagua,
with sub regions Aconcagua and Cassablanca, North of Santiago,
followed by The Valle Central with the sub regions Maipo, Rapel,
Curico and Maule and the Region del Sur with sub regions Itata
and Bio-Bio.
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on Chile
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New
Zealand
New
Zealand is a cooler wine area with a maritime climate. The country
ranks 26th on the list of wine producers. It all started in 1819
when missionaries planted the first vines.
Most
vineyards are found in the warmer North Island regions of Auckland,
Gisborne, Hawkes Bay and Martinborough. Red wine production is
small and includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir.
The South Island regions of Marlborough, Nelson and Canterbury
produce predominantly Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, but also some
Pinot Noir.
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on New Zealand
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South
Africa
In
1654, the Governor Jan van Riebeek, planted vines for wine production.
The country ranks 8th in wine production and exports about 20%
of its wine.
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Chenin
Blanc (Steen) is the dominant grape variety, with Sauvignon Blanc
and Chardonnay becoming more popular. Reds include Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot and some Pinot Noir and Shiraz. Pinotage is South Africas
unique hybrid that was made in 1925 by crossing Pinot Noir and
Cinsaut. South Africa is made up of 14 wine districts, the major
ones from the coast upwards are Constantia (south of Cape Town),
Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek.
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on South Africa
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