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 growing grapes hence making viniculture and wineries as major Clare Valley attraction.
Clare Valley is a perfect area for growing grapes for of its moderate climate and distinctive geography. Its climate is indicated by hot summers and cold winters. Its soil consists of the substances demanded by the grape. Furthermore, its valleys and hills ranging from 300 to 1000 meters are favorable to the vineyards.There are four popular variants of grapes grown in Clare Valley namely the Riesling, Chardonnay, Semillon and Shiraz.
Chardonnay is a green grape that yields white wine. It's the type of grape that is very flexible because the taste of its fruit is very much reliant on how it is cultivated. Furthermore, the taste of its wine identifies how it is made- if it’s thru oak or malolactic fermentation. In terms of food and wine pairing, Chardonnay is perfect with white meat, smoked fish and hot Asian delicacies. Its origin can be traced from France and it was then introduced to Australia in 1832 by James Busby.
Shiraz also known as Syra is the world’s most produced grape. Shiraz's beginning is in Persia, which then produced and widely grown in France. It was brought to South Australia in 1839 by a Scotsman regarded as the Father of Australian wine industry - James Buby. Shiraz has a thick blackish purple skin. It makes dry red table wines. It generally survives in hotter places since it needs heat to ripen .The wine of this grape is highly alcoholic, perfumed, and could be described as 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 perfect coordinate for red meats such as ham, wild boar, beef, rack of lamb and roasted venison. It is also ideal 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 kind of grape that is best when harvested late popularly termed as “noble rot”. It produces three flavors of wines -the dry wine, semi sweet and sweet. The three flavors are characterized by its harvesting stage. As documented, its history can be tracked from Germany and spread throughout the regions of North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. It is presented in Australia by in 1840 by John Ainsworth Horrocks. Presently, Clare Valley Riesling has become the best Riesling wine maker in the world.
There is also a grape type called Semillon, a kind of grape that has golden skin producing white wines. Its history couldn’t be tracked however it is widespread France and Australia. It started in Australia in 1800. The fruit is vigorous and easy to cultivate. While Riesling and Chardonnay are highly acidic, Semillon happens to be the reverse. Just like Shiraz, Semillon wine is often blended with other wines such as sweet flavors of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. This is perfect for seafoods, chicken, turkey, vegetable lasagna , seafoods and cheese.
The enurated types are just few of the grapes that are cultivated in the region.There are also other types such pinot noir, grenache, merlot and cabernet franc but they're not widely grown in the region. There are a total of 51 vineyards located in Clare Valley. The vineyards cover 11,000 acres of the place. These vineyards favored their Clare Valley accommodation thus allowing winery as the heart of Clare Valley attraction.
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