Cool. Thank you for the info!
Hey Anthony! Confirming that Pinot Noir is the most planted grape in Yarra at 41% of plantings. As of 2021, Pinot Noir is the top grape in Gippsland, it overtook Chardonnay in plantings in 2018. The guide is updated and adjusted.
In the Yarra Valley section it reads “Now, Yarra Valley has just over 2,000 ha of vines. Pinot Noir is the region’s most planted variety, with Chardonnay coming in a close second.”
However in the Gippsland section it states “ As in Yarra, Chardonnay is currently the most planted grape in Gippsland, with Pinot Noir not far behind.”
Apparently Gingin clone and Mendoza are not the same clone.
Study on Chardonnay clones
At every turn, things only get more fascinating. Thanks for the additional background, Jennifer, very helpful to know!
Hi Keith, the data likely came from Wine Australia, but I can't be sure which report. I've softened the language above and included Shiraz. While tonnage and acreage %s can be wildly different, it's difficult to imagine that Shiraz is not among the most highly planted based on the 2020 data. However, it's worth keeping in mind that 2020 was a not a typical vintage there, and it's difficult to know the role that drought and fires/smoke may have played on the yields.
Taking a look at Mudgee's regional site, it looks like they may be trying to deemphasize Shiraz and Cabernet in the future, so perhaps this is why Shiraz does not appear on Mudgee's page on Wine Australia's site.
The correct name is SOUTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES ZONE!
The section on the Canberra District GI above includes the following text: ’Hardys moved into Canberra District in 2000, immediately doubling vineyard acreage, but withdrew from the region 2007.’ Minor typo: ‘from the region 2007’ should read ‘from the region in 2007’.
The section on the Hastings River GI above includes the following text: ‘Semillon in Hastings River can develop some of the same characteristics as its does in the Hunter’. Minor typo: ‘as its does’ should read ‘as it does’.
The section on the Orange GI includes the following text: ‘It is also the highest region overall in the entire country: Orange GI begins at the 600-meter line of elevation, and its vineyards rise up the slopes of NSW’s central highlands, past the 1000-meter mark.’ It is worth noting that it is easy to be confused by such statements, as one can find the following quote in the World Atlas of Wine 8th Edition: ‘New England is Australia’s highest wine region at up to 4,330ft (1,320m).’ I don’t know, but I’d wager that these two seemingly contradicting statements are claiming different things: the first claiming a higher minimum elevation and the second claiming a higher maximum elevation. If so, it would probably be best to steer clear of ambiguous wording such as ‘highest region overall’ to avoid confusion. But alas confusion stems from many sources as Wine Australia’s legal definition for the Orange GI would suggest that the GI is ‘defined as that contiguous area that is above 600 metre elevation’, but then lists the altitude for the GI elsewhere as 376-1390m (wherein I’m assuming those areas below 600m affect the climate and growing conditions of the overall GI, though those elevations don’t qualify for the GI itself). But I’m open to correction and further education on all fronts . . .