AAS Magazine Vol 1 March 2017 Mar. 2017 Vol 1 | Page 49

Where to plant and what variety to plant are the most import decisions to be made when choosing to grow grape vines. Site selection, which takes in climate, soil, altitude, aspect and exposure to sunlight and heat, is key to making fine wine. The Adelaide Hills has become an internationally recognised region because it offers ideal conditions and diverse, ancient soils that grow vines that will result in balanced crops, good berry size and fine, complex flavours.

The Adelaide Hills region, and in particular its highest vineyard elevations, is classified as a cool climate wine region. Higher elevation results in cooler temperatures as, for every 100 metres in elevation, the temperature drops by roughly 0.5°C. Wines from cooler climates show finer and more elegant aromas and flavours than the same variety from warmer climates. Cool climate Chardonnay, for example, shows more citrus and white peach fruit characters whereas warm climate Chardonnay has more fig, mango and pineapple traits.

Wolf Blass Adelaide Hills wines include Gold Label Chardonnay Pinot Noir, Gold Label Sauvignon Blanc, White Label Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay, Gold Label Chardonnay, White Label Cabernet Sauvignon and Gold Label Syrah.

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