The " res publica down under " is eff for many thing – kangaroos , didgeridoos , dingoes , koala bears , eucalyptus trees and the late Steve Irwin , just to name a few . But as you’re able to see , wine did n’t make that quick list . Australia is often overlooked as a wine - producing ball of fire , yet its viticulture is plenteous and full of history . For a young country and state , Australia ’s Queensland has been in the wine producing business since its establishment almost 150 years ago . Today , this wine region has expanded to address almost 3,700 acres ( 1,500 hectare ) of land .
In Queensland ’s early years , its wine was sold locally , but as Word of God of character grape and wine banquet , the wine producing market started to flesh out . Today , there are several smaller regions that together contain the Queensland wine region . Only two of these , South Burnett and the Granite Belt , are officially recognized by the Geographic Indications system , but the other areas are all distinguishable enough that they have been part into their own unofficial region by Queensland citizens .
These modest regions are :
[ generator : Queensland Wine ]
While in the young years , viticulture was not a antecedence in Australia , and therefore Queensland , the establishment of the Ballandean Estate help change that . In the 1960s , the estate was work up in what is now the most make out part in the area , the Granite Belt . After settlers , who were mostly of Italian descent , had pass years tame grapes , they were certain the area was capable of expectant wine-coloured . After producing quite a bit of well - received red wine , the Granite Belt and the Queensland area had made a name for themselves . Today , the region is known for its light , fruity wines that twin the arena ’s cuisine and carefree atmosphere .
As Queensland continues to produce its quality Australian wines and experimentation , it continues to gain popularity . Its fan base has spread beyond the local borders , first spreading across Australia and then expanding across the world .
Queensland History and Culture
Australia ’s history is singular . Like North America , and many of today ’s established state , it was settled by Europeans . But unlike the America ’s , Australia was take root for the purpose of put behind bars law of nature breaking citizens . And at the same time , there were people live on on Australia that had been there long before European settlers make out along .
Before European settlement , the Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginals live for thousands of years in Queensland , believed to be present even 30,000 year ago [ origin : Queensland ] . The Aborigines were around to see and conform to the changing face of Queensland . Now arid , with ironical grasslands , the orbit was once cool and deal with vegetation .
The dry Australia we ’re accustomed to today is what former European settler would see when they first figure the area in 1660 . They settled the area as a penal colony in a region Britain deemed New South Wales . It was n’t until 1839 , when the punishable colony close , that the land was uncommitted for sale and public village .
No longer a forced dwelling for convicts , Brisbane grew in importance both socially and economically . It had a swell shore location , making it a popular port . This easy access to the water also meant water travel to Sydney or Europe was possible . Because of its successful growth and aloofness from the government activity of New South Wales , the region began to count independency . In 1859 , Queen Victoria agreed and approved the interval . With this , the dependency of Queensland was established and the universe began to thrive [ source : Queensland ] . This is when grape emergence and wine production began .
Agriculture of the Queensland Wine Regions
Agriculture is n’t at the head of the Australian glare , at least in the minds of those who are n’t imply . This seems rightful of viticulture in particular , which requires quality grape growth . You might think grape vine cultivation would be impossible in the Queensland mood . After all , grapes will dry out in uttermost heating , and no doubt , there are field of Australia that reach sweltering temperature .
While the climate of Australia does present challenges in the agriculture section , it has n’t hold back Queensland . In this large region , the many orbit actually have very dissimilar climate .
The Granite Belt is the most speak about product area of the Queensland wine area . Being one of the most bountiful area in Queensland , it makes sentience that it has the good clime for grapevine develop . At an ALT of .5 to .6 miles ( 800 to 1,000 beat ) , this arena roam from your preconceived ideas of desert like Australia . It actually has cold , white winters [ source : Hidden Creek ] . Likewise , the Darling Downs and South Burnett also have stale season . These areas prosper and produce the most traditional wines .
Queensland ’s tropical northern regions have found succeeder by experimenting . They may not be able of uprise all grape , particularly delicate unity , but they have other fruit that harvest well year after year . In recent years , the area has produced many alternate wines using these fruits instead of grapeshot [ reference : Wine ] .
Famous Wines of Queensland
In the world of wine , Queensland is still somewhat of a rooky in comparison to the producers in region where viticulture spans 100 . This shine in the final products Queensland present . They are still experimenting and test their options by working with substitute element and extraneous grapes .
Some of the most democratic or exercise diversity of the Queensland vino region admit :
[ source : Wine , Wine Diva , Mietta ’s ]
As mentioned previously , Australia has have creative and experimental with their wine production in an effort to allow the tropic northerly region a piece of the market . While these region do n’t have plentiful grapevine end product , they have successful outgrowth of other yield crops like pineapple plant , mango and passion fruit . In recent twelvemonth , the area has used these fruit as a substitute to create new smorgasbord of wine-colored [ source : Wine ] .
The Shiraz is probably the realm most popular selection . That variety , along with sweet vino , has done well in Queensland . Because of that exploitation , experimenting with the sweet tropic fruit of the north could prove fruitful for the region – in more ways than one .
Be sure to check out out the links on the next page for additional wine-colored - relate selective information .
