Coordinates: 33°53′S 138°36′E / 33.883°S 138.6°E / -33.883; 138.6
| Clare Valley (wine region) |
 |
| Country |
Australia |
| Sub-regions |
Polish Hill Valley |
| Size of planted vineyards |
40 km² |
| Grapes produced |
Riesling, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon |
|
|
- 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 wine regions, best known for Riesling wines. It lies in the Mid North of South Australia, approximately 120 km north of Adelaide. The valley runs north-south, with Main North Road as the main thoroughfare.
History
Pre-European settlement
The original inhabitance of the Clare Valley were the Ngadjuri people. It is believed that they had major camping sites at Clare and Auburn, as well as other areas outside the valley[1].
European settlement
Settlers from England and Ireland first moved into the region during the 1840s, producing a rich heritage of architecture and villages, which remain largely intact. Vineyards were planted alongside those first villages and winemaking has continued ever since.
Modern times
On 16 February, 1983, the Clare Valley was devastated by bushfires during the Ash Wednesday disaster. Although there were no fatalities in the area, over 6,100 hectares were burnt out, causing $5 million worth of damage[2]. The railway line between the Clare Showgrounds and Penwortham was severely damaged, and resulted in its eventual demise. The route has since been replaced with a rail trail known as the Riesling Trail.
Today visitors can take many touring routes, including the popular walking and cycling path the Riesling Trail. This 27km sealed trail links the villages of the valley.
Soil and climate
The wines are planted from 400 to 500 metres (1,300 to 1,600 ft).[3] The climate is moderately continental, with cool to cold nights and warm to hot summer days. The higher altitude, compared to other wine regions in South Australia, ensures cool nights even during the heat of summer allowing the fruit to ripen more evenly and slowly. Rainfall is predominantly in winter - spring (June - September) with an annual average of around 630 mm. Summers are dry and make 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.
Grape varieties
The most important white variety is Riesling, with the Clare Valley regarded as its Australian home.
Principal red varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. They make a range of styles of varietal wines, reflecting different approaches to winemaking as well as the influences of the various sub-regions and micro-climates in the valleys.
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
See also
References
External links
