Clare Valley Grapes

Sep 21
06:06

2010

Clinton Bernat

Clinton Bernat

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The wineries and vineyards in Clare Valley turns to be the significant attraction of the region. It develops varieties of grapes such as Riesling, Chardonnay, Semillon and Shiraz.

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Types of Grapes Grown in Clare Valley

Vineyards in Clare Valley is one of the attractions in South Australia. It is 120 km north of Adelaide. Its wineries have cultivated the region’s passion in cultivating grapes thus creating viniculture and wineries as significant Clare Valley attraction.

Clare Valley is the best place for developing grapes because of its complimentary climate and unique location. Its climate is indicated by hot summers and cold winters. Its soil consists of the substances needed by the fruit. Moreover,Clare Valley Grapes Articles its valleys and hills ranging from 300 to 1000 meters are ideal to the vineyards.There are four well known varieties of the fruit developed in Clare Valley namely the Riesling, Chardonnay, Semillon and Shiraz.

The green-skinned grape Chardonnay is one of the varities of grape that yields white wine . It is the type of grape that is very flexible because the taste of its fruit is very much dependent on how it is grown. In addition, the flavor of its wine defines how it is made- if it’s thru oak or malolactic fermentation. In terms of food and wine pairing, Chardonnay is best with hot Asian cuisines, smoked fish and white meat. Its origin can be tracked from France and it was then introduced to Australia by James Busby in 1832.

The widely grown variant of grape in the world happens to Shiraz. Shiraz's beginning is in Persia, which then introduced and widely grown in France. It was spread to South Australia in 1839 by a Scotsman identified as the Father of Australian wine industry known as James Buby. The variety has a thick dark skin having a deep blackish purple color. It is producing dry red table wines. It generally grows in hotter regions since it requires heat to ripen .The wine of this grape is alcoholic, perfumed, and a bit spicy rather than fruity. It is identified to be combined with other wines such as a bit of Viognier, equal blending of Chardonnay, and a small blending of Grenache and Mourvèdre. Shiraz wine is a best fit for red meats such as roasted venison, beef, wild boar , rack of lamb and ham. It is also perfect with rice, pasta dish, cheese and dry-heated root vegetables.

Another variation of grape that produces white wine is Riesling.It is defined by its white and red skin. It's the type of grape which is best when harvested late popularly termed as “noble rot”. It makes three sorts of wines -the sweet, semi sweet and dry wine. The three tastes are determined by its harvesting stage. As documented, its heritage can be tracked from Germany and spread throughout the places of North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. It is introduced in Australia by in 1840 by John Ainsworth Horrocks. Nowadays, Clare Valley Riesling has become the noblest Riesling wine maker in the world.

There is also a grape variety called Semillon, a kind of grape that has golden skin producing white wines. Its origin couldn’t be traced but it's widespread France and Australia. It started out in Australia in 1800. The variety is vigorous and easy to grow. While Chardonnay and Riesling are highly acidic, Semillon turns to be the opposite. Just like Shiraz, Semillon wine is often mixed up with other wines such as sweet flavors of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. This is ideal for seafoods, chicken, turkey, vegetable lasagna , seafoods and cheese.

The enurated varieties are just few of the grapes that are cultivated in the region.There are also other types such cabernet franc, grenache, merlot, and pinot noir but they are not widely grown in the place. There are a total of fifty-one vineyards located in Clare Valley. The vineyards cover 11,000 acres of the ranges. These vineyards favored their Clare Valley accommodation thus making winery as the center of Clare Valley attraction.