Clare Valley

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Clare Valley (Wine Region)
Country Australia
Size of planted vineyards 40 km²
Grapes produced Riesling, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon
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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.

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[edit] History

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. 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  sealed trail links the villages of the valley.

[edit] Soil and climate

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 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.

[edit] Grape varieties

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.

The most important white variety is Riesling, with the Clare Valley regarded as its Australian home.

[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

v • d • e
Towns of the Clare Valley region of South Australia

Armagh · Auburn · Clare · Leasingham · Mintaro · Penwortham · Polish Hill River · Sevenhill · Stanley Flat · Watervale
v • d • e
Wine regions of South Australia
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South Australia
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