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Clare Valley is the northernmost wine region within the Mount Lofty Ranges zone of South Australia, located 81 miles (130km) north of the state capital, Adelaide. It is one of the most picturesque wine regions of Australia, with a tradition in winemaking going back to the early 19th century when the first vines were planted. The modern-day Clare Valley is home to a group of quality-conscious, often boutique, wineries with their own cellar doors – each offering a range of house and regional specialties to the large numbers of tourists who visit the area. One of the highlights of the region's tourism is a Riesling Trail, connecting Clare Valley's wineries.
The region's location in the northern Mount Lofty Ranges, with variable altitudes including slopes, windswept plateaux and valley floors, dictates its grape-growing conditions. Most vineyards are situated at elevations of between 1312 and 1640ft (400–500m). Each individual location, depending on its soil quality and exposure to sunlight, produces distinct types and qualities of wine. Overall, the Clare Valley climate is moderate-continental, with long, warm summer days followed by cool nights – helping to extend the hang time as well as retaining crisp acidity and structure, the hallmark of premium-quality wines from the region. The local soil is also varied, with a mix of fertile alluvial elements, weathered rocks and limestone, each imparting its own characters to the wines.
Riesling reigns supreme in Clare Valley. The drier styles are recognized as some of the best in the world. In fact, the very best examples are considered to provide benchmarks of quality. The wines are particularly famous for their depth of classic Riesling flavors – of exotic citrus, lime and orange blossoms, crunchy apples with a healthy dose of minerals, and crisp natural acidity. The top wines can also be cellared for 20 or more years.
Clare Valley's red wines based on Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon are also highly regarded as the high diurnal temperature variability ensures deep color and heavy concentration of flavors. Some of these wines vie with the best produced anywhere in Australia.
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