Australian Wine - A World Perspective

Subject AGRI90039 (2016)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2016.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2016.

Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Attend a one-week compulsory intensive block residential school at Dookie
Total Time Commitment:

170 hours

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

Participation in the 5 day intensive school. Wine tasting is compulsory.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/ or students can email disability-liaison@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

The objective of this subject is to introduce students to the Australian Wine Industry and its role in world wine production. The content includes the evolution of the grapevine; the history of viticulture and winemaking; the main grape varieties of the world and their distribution; the chemistry of winemaking; wine tasting; appellation and culture of wine; world wine regions including France and Germany, Spain, Portugal and Italy; North America, South America, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia; Australian wine regions and production; the global wine trade and Australia’s export markets; and wine, food, health and culture.

Learning Outcomes:

The objective of this subject is to introduce students to the Australian wine industry and its role in world wine production.

The content includes:

  • Evolution of the grapevine
  • History of viticulture and winemaking
  • Main grape varieties of the world and their distribution
  • Chemistry of winemaking
  • Wine tasting
  • Appellation and the culture of wine
  • World wine regions including France and Germany, Spain, Portugal and Italy, North America, South America, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia
  • Australian wine regions and production
  • The global wine trade and Australia's export markets
  • Wine, food, health and culture
Assessment:
  • One online examination comprising of a mixture of multiple choice and short answer questions due two weeks after the end of the residential school worth 35%
  • One online examination comprising of a mixture of multiple choice and short answer questions due six weeks after the end of the residential school worth 35%
  • A one-hour practical examination due on the final day of the intensive worth 30%

Prescribed Texts:

Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson (2009) The concise world atlas of wine. Mitchell Beazley, London

Recommended Texts:

Clarke, O. (1996) Oz Clarke’s New Essential Wine Book: An Indispensable Guide to Wines of the World. Mitchell Beasley, London UK. Iland, P. and Gago, P. (1997). Australian Wine: from the Vine to the Glass. Patrick Iland Wine Promotions, Adelaide. Johnson, H. and Robinson, J. (2001). The World Atlas of Wine. 5 th Edition. Mitchell Beasley, London UK Peynaud, E. (1987) The Taste of Wine. Macdonald Orbis, London. Rankine, B. (1993) Making Good Wine. Sun Books. Crows Nest, NSW. Robinson, J. et al (2006) Oxford Companion to Wine Third Edition Oxford University Press, Oxford UK. The texts can be borrowed from the University Library or purchased from Melbourne University Bookshop or The Rural Store.

The Rural Store stocks a wide selection of viticulture and oenology books. The address is: The Rural Store29 Lisbeth Avenue , Donvale,
Victoria 3111
Phone 03 98737202
Facsimile 03 98730542
Web site http://www.theruralstore.com.au/
These texts will be valuable reference books for you to keep in your personal library after completing the course.

Journals and Periodicals The following Journals and Periodicals not compulsory, however they contain valuable information about viticulture, winemaking and wine marketing. The Australian and New Zealand Wine Industry Journal
Published by Winetitles, 97 Carrington St. Adelaide 5000 Decanter
Published by IPC Magazines, London SW6 1AA UK. The Wine Magazine
Published by ACP Park St. Sydney 2000 The Australian Grapegrower and Winemaker
Published by: Ryan Publications, 297 The Parade, Beulah Park, South Australia 5067.

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Related Course(s): Master of Agricultural Science
Master of Wine Technology and Viticulture
Postgraduate Diploma in Agricultural Science
Postgraduate Diploma in Food Science

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