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Barossa is one of the six wine-producing zones of South Australia. It is also known as the Barossa Valley, although the valley, while part of the Barossa zone, is classified as a separate GI (Geographical Indication). Grape-growing conditions vary immensely across the zone (which also includes Eden Valley and one of its sub-regions) and this is reflected in the markedly different wine styles produced here.
The Barossa zone lies north-east of Adelaide Hills and is a compact geographical unit with a variable landscape of high-altitude terrain and flat valley floors. The overall climate is hard to categorize as conditions vary – not only due to the elevation but also because of the inland locations and the coastal influence. The valley floors are very hot during summer, with temperatures often exceeding 95F (35C). This, along with scant rainfall and limited natural water in the soil, makes irrigation essential. On the other hand, the higher areas are cool with distinctly high diurnal temperature variability, which helps to bring out the best from the aromatic varieties as well as assisting a high degree of phenolic ripeness in the grapes.
Shiraz and Riesling are the most notable grape varieties in the Barossa zone, producing some of the best wines, not only in Australia but in the world. You can find out more about the styles of wine based on these two classic varieties on our Barossa and Eden Valley pages. Other very high-quality Barossa wines are produced from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Semillon and Viognier. Additionally, GSM-style blends have earned high acclaim, as Grenache and Mourvèdre (also known as Mataro here) perform extremely well in Barossa's warm and dry climate. The zone is also a hotbed of experimentation, with new vine varieties and interesting examples of wines made from grapes like Tempranillo and Zinfandel making their mark on local and international markets.
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