Clare Valley
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For the town in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, see Clare Valley, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
The Clare Valley is one of Australia's oldest and most famous wine regions, in the Mid North of South Australia. It is one of the most scenic regions, presenting visitors with a series of small intimate valleys and magnificent views. The valley runs north-south, with Main North Road as the main thoroughfare, approximately 120 km north of Adelaide.
Settlers from England, Ireland and Poland first moved into the region during the 1840s, producing a rich heritage of architecture and villages, which remain largely intact. Many of these buildings now accommodate the generous offering of guesthouses, premium restaurants and galleries. Vineyards were planted alongside those first villages and winemaking has continued ever since.
Today visitors can take many touring routes, including the popular walking and cycling path the Riesling Trail. This 27 kilometre sealed trail provides a unique link between the villages of the valley and its richly varied landscapes.
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[edit] Soil and climate
Variation is the key word when describing the topography. The region contains valleys with altitudes ranging from 300 to over 500 metres. The climate is moderately continental, with cool to cold nights and warm to hot summer days. Rainfall is predominantly in winter - spring (June - September) with an annual average of around 630 millimetres. Generally dry summers make some irrigation desirable but also ensure a minimum of fungal diseases. Varied soil types throughout the valleys are another feature, ranging from red to brown grey over basement rock.
[edit] Grape varieties
Principal red varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Both produce outstanding varietal wines, often with significant variations, which reflect winemaking styles as well as the influences of the various sub-regions.
The most important white variety is Riesling, with the Clare Valley regarded as its Australian home. There is a significant consistency in style and quality of Riesling wine in this region, which has won national and international renown.
Riesling typically starts life as a floral, limey, slightly austere wine and quickly blossoms with tastes of passionfruit, orange blossom and a touch of lightly browned toast.
A number of have recently introduced alternative grape varieties, adding to the diversity of wine styles available.
[edit] Regional facts
The region has more than 40 wineries, most of which are small and produce only bottled wine.
- Area planted: 40 km²
- Annual Production: 1999: - 19,694, 2000:- 12,444
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
Armagh | Auburn | Clare | Leasingham | Mintaro | Penwortham | Polish Hill River | Sevenhill | Stanley Flat | Watervale
Adelaide Hills | Adelaide Plains | Barossa Valley | Clare Valley | Coonawarra | Currency Creek | Eden Valley | Kangaroo Island | Langhorne Creek | McLaren Vale | Mount Benson | Padthaway | Riverland | Southern Fleurieu | Southern Flinders Ranges | The Peninsulas | Wrattonbully
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State of South Australia |
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| Topics |
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| Capital | Adelaide |
| Regions |
Adelaide Hills | Barossa Valley | Clare Valley | Eyre Peninsula | Fleurieu Peninsula | Flinders Ranges | Limestone Coast | Mid North | Nullarbor Plain | Riverland | Yorke Peninsula |
| Cities |
Adelaide | Port Augusta | Mount Gambier | Murray Bridge | Port Lincoln | Port Pirie | Whyalla |
