Types of Wine/Grapes
Chardonnay
Due to the altitude of this region, these are elegant, cool-area wines recalling melon and lime characteristics in both nose and flavour. On the palate their normally good acidity means that they mature quite well over the two to three year medium term by which time the wines have taken on more developed stone fruit
flavours.
Sauvignon Blanc
The usual fresh herbaceous character of this variety on nose and palate are the norm on these Ranges.
Pinot Noir
When vinified in this region for table wine, Pinot Noir offers a good colour and often shows ripe strawberry traits on nose and palate. The quite high elevation in this region is possibly about the northernmost limit within which the variety can display its traditionally delicacy, fine aromas and
flavours.
Shiraz
This is an excellent full fruited Shiraz of good colour and spicy berry aromas. The wines show elegance and style, avoiding the greenness of very cool areas on the one hand and the over-extraction practiced in some of the warmer regions on the other.
Climate/Geography
The soils of the Ranges, generally granitic and rather acidic (pH 4-5), are deep, moderately alluvial or colluvial sand and sandy loams, containing ironstone gravel and quartz over clay.
Its lower north-western parts adjoining Euroa are quite warm and suitable for full bodied red wines but as the terrain rises to the east, it becomes much cooler and more suitable for finer table wines. The ample rainfall occurs principally in winter to early spring. Spring frosts are an occasional hazard, as are hot northerly winds during ripening.
For more information about the Strathbogie Ranges wine region visit:
www.visitvictoria.com/wineries
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