Wine Educate: Wine Lessons, Travel & WSET Study Prep

Episode 135: Australian Wine Regions for WSET Level 2 Students: Part 2 - Barossa Valley and Coonawarra Host: Joanne Close Episode Length: 9 minutes 45 seconds Release Date: October 27, 2026 Join the Wine Educate Newsletter Get wine tips, episode updates, and exclusive content delivered to your inbox. Subscribe at https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter Level 2 Mock Exam Bundle If you are preparing for your WSET Level 2 exam, the Level 2 Mock Exam Bundle gives you realistic practice questions that mirror the format of the real test, so you can find your weak spots before exam day. Regions like Australia show up throughout the Level 2 book, and practising with exam-style questions is one of the best ways to push your result from merit to distinction. https://joanne-close.mykajabi.com/offers/xeXeiyop/checkout Episode Description Australia is the driest inhabited continent on Earth, so it is easy to picture its wine coming from somewhere hot and dusty. In this episode, Joanne explains why that picture misses the mark. The country's most celebrated wine regions sit along the coast, at higher elevations, or both, and that is what makes quality wine possible. Joanne starts with the huge South Eastern Australia GI, home to regions like Riverland and Riverina and much of the inexpensive Shiraz and Chardonnay you see on supermarket shelves, including the famous "critter wines." She then contrasts that with Penfolds Grange, one of the world's most collectible Shiraz blends, and travels to the Barossa Valley to explore its warm climate, old vines, Shiraz, Grenache and GSM blends. The episode finishes in Coonawarra, the Cabernet Sauvignon heartland of South Australia. You will learn how its moderate maritime climate and famous terra rossa soil over limestone create Cabernet with black currant, mint and real ageing potential, and why the region is often compared to Bordeaux. What You'll Learn in This Episode Australia's Climate and Wine Geography Why Australia's best wine regions are found along the coast or at elevation The five states that account for the principal wine producing regions How Australian wine law uses Geographical Indications (GIs) South Eastern Australia GI and Volume Wine Why this vast GI is behind many familiar supermarket wines Australia exports more than half its production, 613 million litres in 2025 Riverland alone covers 22,000 hectares, about four times the size of Chablis Shiraz and Chardonnay dominate, and the story behind the critter wine labels of the 2000s Barossa Valley Shiraz and GSM Blends Warm climate, dry summers, around 35 degrees latitude and 11,600 hectares under vine Old vines dating back to the 19th century, with Shiraz making up half of plantings The key Barossa Shiraz style: full body, high ripe tannins, cooked blackberry and black cherry, black pepper, vanilla and coffee from oak Grenache, Mataro (Mourvèdre) and the GSM blends shared with the Southern Rhône Semillon in both lighter and full-bodied, oak-matured styles Penfolds Grange as the benchmark premium Shiraz blend Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Location in the Limestone Coast zone, around 37.3 degrees latitude Moderate climate with cooling maritime influence, and the Bordeaux comparison Terra rossa, the iron-rich red clay loam sitting over limestone Why good drainage matters for Cabernet Sauvignon The Coonawarra Cabernet style: black currant, herbal mint, smoke and coffee from oak, with ageing potential Shiraz and Merlot also grown in the region Episode Highlights and Quotes "Australia's most celebrated wine regions are all located either along the coast or have higher elevations or benefit from both." "Remember our Cabernet Sauvignon is very picky, and it doesn't like to get its roots wet. It likes good drainage." "If you master an area like Australia or South Africa or Chile or Argentina, areas that are maybe not on our radar all the time, they will definitely be on the test." A Note on Coonawarra's Terra Rossa Measurements In this episode, Joanne describes the Coonawarra terra rossa strip as approximately 27 kilometres long and 2 kilometres wide. That figure comes from Coonawarra Vignerons, the region's own winemaker association, and it is a credible source. You can read their description at https://coonawarra.org/our-landscape/ However, the WSET Level 3 textbook gives different measurements: 15 kilometres long and 1.5 kilometres wide. If you are studying for a WSET exam, always go with the figures in your WSET textbook. Exam questions are written from the course materials, so that is the answer the examiners will be looking for. Barossa Valley vs Coonawarra Quick Reference   Barossa Valley Coonawarra Latitude Around 35 degrees Around 37.3 degrees Hectares under vine About 11,600 About 5,800 Climate Warm, dry summers Moderate, maritime influence Key grape Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Other grapes Grenache, Mataro, Semillon Shiraz, Merlot Key feature Old vines from the 19th century Terra rossa over limestone Typical style Full body, ripe tannins, cooked black fruit, pepper, oak Black currant, mint, smoke, coffee, ageing potential Resources Mentioned Penfolds Grange - premium Barossa Shiraz blend Yellow Tail - an example of South Eastern Australia volume wine WSET Level 2 textbook Coonawarra Vignerons, source for the terra rossa measurements: https://coonawarra.org/our-landscape/ Level 2 Mock Exam Bundle - exam-style practice questions to help you prepare for the WSET Level 2 exam: https://joanne-close.mykajabi.com/offers/xeXeiyop/checkout Coming Up Next Episode 136: Australian Wine Regions for WSET Level 2 Students: Part 3 - Eden Valley, Clare Valley, Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale Joanne continues the Australia series with the regions best known for white wines, plus McLaren Vale and its Grenache. Connect with Wine Educate Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter - sign up for wine tips, quizzes, and episode updates delivered to your inbox every week. Website: https://www.wineeducate.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wineeducate Never miss an episode. Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review and share it with fellow wine lovers. Reviews are the best way to help other WSET students find the show. About Wine Educate Wine Educate is a WSET Approved Programme Provider offering internationally recognized wine certification courses. Through the podcast, Joanne Close makes wine education accessible to everyone, breaking down complex topics into practical, easy-to-understand lessons. Whether you are studying for your WSET certification or simply want to learn more about wine, you will find the guidance and knowledge you need to enjoy wine with confidence. Episode 135 of the Wine Educate Podcast | Hosted by Joanne Close | © 2026 Wine Educate

134. Australian Wine Regions for WSET Level 2 Students: Part 1 - Hunter Valley, Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula Host: Joanne Close Episode Length: 10:32 Release Date: October 20, 2026 Join the Wine Educate Newsletter Get wine tips, episode updates, and exclusive content delivered to your inbox. Subscribe at https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter Level 2 Mock Exam Bundle If you are preparing for your WSET Level 2 exam, the Mock Exam Bundle lets you practise with exam-style questions that cover the regions, grapes and wine styles you need to know, including Australia. Working through timed mock exams shows you where the gaps are before exam day, so you can focus your study where it counts. https://joanne-close.mykajabi.com/offers/xeXeiyop/checkout Episode Description Australia doesn't get its own chapter in the WSET Level 2 book. Its regions are scattered across the grape chapters, which makes the country hard to piece together. This is the first of three episodes that put modern Australian wine in one place, starting with Hunter Valley in New South Wales and two cool-climate regions near Melbourne, Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula. Joanne explains why Hunter Valley Semillon works in a warm, humid climate, and why it can taste like it was oak aged after ten years in bottle even though it never touched a barrel. She also contrasts Hunter Valley Shiraz with the fuller Barossa style. Then she heads south toward Melbourne, where five degrees of latitude makes a big difference. She covers how elevation cools the Yarra Valley and how the sea cools the Mornington Peninsula, and why both regions are known for Pinot Noir and cool climate Chardonnay. What You'll Learn in This Episode Hunter Valley, New South Wales Why the Hunter Valley is called Sydney's backyard, about two hours north of the city, with a strong wine tourism scene How big it is: about 2,600 hectares under vine, less than half the size of Chablis How it escaped phylloxera, so some old vines still grow on their original rootstocks James Busby's role in bringing vines from France The two key grapes, Semillon and Shiraz Hunter Valley Semillon Why thin-skinned Semillon faces fungal disease risk in a warm, humid climate with harvest rain How early harvesting avoids that problem and gives light body, high acidity and 10 to 11.5% alcohol How it changes with age: subtle lemon and citrus when young, then toast, honey and nut after 10 or more years in bottle, with no oak Why it's so hard to find outside Australia, since most premium production is drunk at home Hunter Valley Shiraz vs Barossa Shiraz Hunter Valley Shiraz: medium body, red and dark fruit, savoury flavours with age Barossa Shiraz: a fuller-bodied style The Latitude Shift From Sydney to Melbourne Hunter Valley sits at about 33 degrees south, and Yarra and Mornington Peninsula at about 38 degrees Five degrees is about 345 miles, roughly the distance from Naples to Verona Yarra Valley, Victoria About an hour east of Melbourne, with around 2,800 hectares planted Elevation up to about 400 metres as the main cooling influence Its history: commercial wine production stopped by 1921, most vineyards were pasture by 1937, and the region revived with post-war European migration Key grapes: Pinot Noir and cool climate Chardonnay Mornington Peninsula, Victoria About an hour and a half south of Melbourne, just under 1,000 hectares, about one-sixth the size of Chablis No vineyard more than 7 kilometres from the sea, with maritime breezes moderating summer temperatures How the modern industry took off in the 1970s with Melbourne's demand for premium dry table wines Key grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris Episode Highlights and Quotes "But then something magical happens in the bottle." "This is Sydney's backyard." "Drink all the good stuff. That's fine." Quick Reference: Hunter Valley, Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula   Hunter Valley Yarra Valley Mornington Peninsula Nearest city Sydney, about 2 hours north Melbourne, about 1 hour east Melbourne, about 1.5 hours south Latitude About 33 degrees About 38 degrees About 38 degrees Size About 2,600 ha About 2,800 ha Just under 1,000 ha Climate Warm and humid, harvest rain Cool, from elevation (up to about 400 m) Cool, maritime Key grapes Semillon, Shiraz Pinot Noir, Chardonnay Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris Size benchmark: Chablis has a little under 6,000 hectares planted. Resources Mentioned WSET Level 2 Award in Wines textbook Wine Educate Podcast episodes on Australian wine history Hunter Valley Semillon Level 2 Mock Exam Bundle - exam-style practice for WSET Level 2 students: https://joanne-close.mykajabi.com/offers/xeXeiyop/checkout Wine Educate newsletter (this week's quiz answer: Alsace, the French region with a legally regulated use of Vieilles Vignes): https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter Coming Up Next 135. Australian Wine Regions for WSET Level 2 Students: Part 2 - Barossa Valley, Clare and Eden Valleys, Adelaide Hills, Coonawarra The Australia series continues in South Australia, where Joanne covers Barossa Shiraz and the regions around it. Connect with Wine Educate Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter - sign up for wine tips, quizzes, and episode updates delivered to your inbox every week. Website: https://www.wineeducate.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wineeducate Never miss an episode. Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review and share it with fellow wine lovers. Reviews are the best way to help other WSET students find the show. About Wine Educate Wine Educate is a WSET Approved Programme Provider offering internationally recognized wine certification courses. Through the podcast, Joanne Close makes wine education accessible to everyone, breaking down complex topics into practical, easy-to-understand lessons. Whether you are studying for your WSET certification or simply want to learn more about wine, you will find the guidance and knowledge you need to enjoy wine with confidence. Episode 134 of the Wine Educate Podcast | Hosted by Joanne Close | © 2026 Wine Educate

Episode 133: Syrah/Shiraz Grape Guide - Same Grape, Different Names: Styles, Regions and Winemaking for WSET Level 2 Host: Joanne Close Episode Length: 10:33 Release Date: October 13, 2026 Join the Wine Educate Newsletter Get wine tips, episode updates, and exclusive content delivered to your inbox. Subscribe at https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter Level 2 Mock Exam Bundle Syrah and Shiraz show up all over the WSET Level 2 exam, from Barossa Valley and Hunter Valley to the Northern Rhône and the blends of Southern France. The Level 2 Mock Exam Bundle gives you realistic practice questions in the same format as the real exam, so you can find your weak spots before exam day and walk in feeling prepared. https://joanne-close.mykajabi.com/offers/xeXeiyop/checkout Related Episodes This episode touches on the Rhône, the Languedoc and the earlier Australian history episodes. If you want to go deeper, these pair well with it: Episode 78 - The Languedoc Episode 81 - The Rhône Wine Laws Episode 82 - The Northern Rhône, Part 1: Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu & Château Grillet Episode 83 - The Northern Rhône, Part 2: Saint-Joseph, Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage & Cornas Episode 84 - The Southern Rhône Episode 85 - Exploring Five Key Southern Rhône Crus: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Lirac, and Tavel Episode 131 - Australian Wine History: The Convicts Who Planted Australia's First Vines and the Wine Nerd Who Laid the Foundations Episode 132 - Australian Wine History - Why a "New World" Country Has Some of the World's Oldest Vines Episode Description The Australian wine series has reached the grape at its center. This episode is a full grape guide to Syrah/Shiraz, and it starts with a question students ask all the time: why does Australia call it Shiraz when most of the world calls it Syrah? Joanne explains the old theory that the grape came from the city of Shiraz in Persia, how that theory was circulating when James Busby collected his vines in 1831, and why Shiraz became the name that stuck in Australia. She then covers what DNA testing in 1998 revealed about where Syrah actually comes from. From there, Joanne covers the WSET Level 2 essentials: grape characteristics, how moderate and warm climates change the style in the glass, and what oak and bottle age add. She covers the three Australian regions you need to know for Level 2 (Barossa Valley, Hunter Valley and South Eastern Australia) and then heads back to France for the Northern Rhône, the Languedoc's shift from bulk wine to quality, and the role Syrah plays in Southern French blends, including at her family's vineyard, Château Camplazens. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why Australia Calls It Shiraz The theory that Syrah originated in the city of Shiraz in Persia, modern-day Iran James Busby's 1831 vine-collecting expedition and Syrah's arrival in Australia in 1832 The early names and spellings, including Hermitage, a nod to the Northern Rhône vines Busby collected Why Shiraz became Australia's preferred name What DNA Revealed Parentage established in 1998 through DNA fingerprinting Syrah's parents: Mondeuse Blanche, a white grape, and Dureza, a black grape Syrah is French, originating in southeastern France, not Persia Grape Characteristics (WSET Level 2) Small berries with thick skins, producing deeply colored wines Medium to high tannins and acidity Blackberry, black cherry and distinctive black pepper Climate and Style Syrah prefers warm to moderate climates and does not do well in cool climates Moderate climates (Northern Rhône, cooler sites in Victoria): medium body, fresh black fruit, more pronounced pepper Warm climates (Barossa Valley, Languedoc, Napa Valley): full body, cooked or stewed black fruit, licorice, higher alcohol, riper tannins Winemaking and Maturation Oak aging is common and helps soften tannins Oak adds smoke, spice, vanilla and coffee With bottle age: dried fruit, leather, meat and earth Australia's Key Shiraz Regions Barossa Valley, South Australia: warm climate, historic old vines, full-bodied wines with high alcohol and ripe tannins Hunter Valley, New South Wales: warm, but moderated by cloud cover and sea breezes, giving medium-bodied wines that develop earth and meat with age South Eastern Australia GI: the warm inland regions of Riverland, Riverina and Murray Darling, home to large-volume, inexpensive Shiraz Shiraz is Australia's most widely planted grape and made up 23% of the national crush in 2025 Syrah in France Northern Rhône: 100% Syrah, with Viognier co-fermentation permitted in Côte-Rôtie Côte-Rôtie's steep slopes and why everything there is done by hand Hermitage, a single hillside making concentrated wines, and Crozes-Hermitage, the surrounding land making a generally lighter style How the Languedoc moved from high-yield Carignan, Aramon and Cinsault to quality plantings including Syrah in the 1980s and 90s Syrah as a blending partner for Grenache, adding body, structure and color Minervois AOC blends and varietal Syrah under the IGP Beyond France and Australia Syrah and Petite Sirah are not the same grape Australia's sparkling Shiraz Episode Highlights and Quotes "Shiraz was the name that gained popularity, and so that is why the grape is called Shiraz today." "So Syrah does not have its origins in Persia. It is French." "You can see just how steep these slopes are. You have to do all this work by hand. There's no way you're getting a tractor up and down those slopes." Syrah/Shiraz Quick Reference Grape: Black grape, small berries, thick skins, deep color Structure: Medium to high tannins, medium to high acidity Primary flavors: Blackberry, black cherry, black pepper Parents: Mondeuse Blanche (white) x Dureza (black), confirmed by DNA in 1998 Moderate climate style: Medium body, fresh black fruit, pepper (Northern Rhône, cooler sites in Victoria) Warm climate style: Full body, cooked black fruit, licorice, higher alcohol, riper tannins (Barossa Valley, Languedoc, Napa Valley) Oak: Smoke, spice, vanilla, coffee Bottle age: Dried fruit, leather, meat, earth Australian regions for Level 2: Barossa Valley, Hunter Valley, South Eastern Australia GI French regions for Level 2: Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Southern Rhône blends, Minervois AOC, Pays d'Oc IGP Resources Mentioned James Busby and his 1831 European vine-collecting expedition Château Camplazens, Joanne's family vineyard in the Languedoc, where Syrah is the most widely planted grape: https://www.camplazens.com/ Level 1 and Level 2 quizzes, Level 3 essay questions and wine tips are available on a weekly basis through the Wine Educate newsletter. Make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss a quiz: https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter WSET Level 3 Prep, including an upcoming Shiraz module for Level 3 students: https://joanne-close.mykajabi.com/level-3-prep-landing-page-1 Previous Wine Educate episodes on the Rhône, the Languedoc and Australian wine history (see Related Episodes above) Level 2 Mock Exam Bundle - realistic practice questions to prepare for the WSET Level 2 exam: https://joanne-close.mykajabi.com/offers/xeXeiyop/checkout Coming Up Next Joanne wraps up the Australian series with a look at modern Australia and what the Australian wine industry looks like today. Connect with Wine Educate Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter - sign up for wine tips, quizzes, and episode updates delivered to your inbox every week. Website: https://www.wineeducate.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wineeducate Never miss an episode. Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review and share it with fellow wine lovers. Reviews are the best way to help other WSET students find the show. About Wine Educate Wine Educate is a WSET Approved Programme Provider offering internationally recognized wine certification courses. Through the podcast, Joanne Close makes wine education accessible to everyone, breaking down complex topics into practical, easy-to-understand lessons. Whether you are studying for your WSET certification or simply want to learn more about wine, you will find the guidance and knowledge you need to enjoy wine with confidence. Episode 133 of the Wine Educate Podcast | Hosted by Joanne Close | © 2026 Wine Educate

Episode 132: Australian Wine History - Why a "New World" Country Has Some of the World's Oldest Vines Host: Joanne Close Episode Length: [Insert Duration] Release Date: October 6, 2026 Join the Wine Educate Newsletter Get wine tips, episode updates, and exclusive content delivered to your inbox. Subscribe at https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter Level 2 Mock Exam Bundle Barossa Shiraz and Eden and Clare Valley Riesling are classic Australian wines that come up on the WSET Level 2 exam. The Level 2 Mock Exam Bundle gives you realistic practice questions in the same format as the real exam, so you can find your weak spots before exam day and walk in feeling prepared. https://joanne-close.mykajabi.com/offers/xeXeiyop/checkout Episode Description In part two of the Australian wine history series, Joanne follows the vines as they spread out from New South Wales. Australia is roughly the size of the United States, so this part of the story reads more like a migration map: wherever people settled, vines went with them. In Victoria, the 1851 gold rush grew the population sixfold in a decade and created something every wine industry needs, which is customers. In South Australia, a free settler colony attracted farmers, tradespeople and families, including German settlers who brought their viticultural knowledge and their vines. That is why Riesling grows in the Eden and Clare Valleys today. Joanne also tells the story of how the Barossa got its name, typo and all. Then phylloxera arrives. Joanne explains what this tiny insect does to vine roots, why Victoria's wine industry slumped when it hit, and how South Australia's early vine protection laws kept the insect out completely. The result is that a country we've long called "New World" still has 19th century vines in the ground. These vines are now protected by the Barossa Old Vine Charter, and many of them are planted to Shiraz. What You'll Learn in This Episode How Vines Spread Across Australia Why the distances between Australian wine regions matter, from Sydney to Melbourne to Adelaide How the spread of vines followed patterns of settlement and immigration Victoria and the Gold Rush Victoria becoming a separate colony from New South Wales in 1851 How the gold rush increased the population sixfold between 1851 and 1861 Why consumer demand has such a big influence on the wine industry South Australia and the German Settlers Why South Australia was founded in 1836 as a free settler colony rather than a penal colony Vines planted near Adelaide by 1837 How German settlers brought their agricultural traditions, viticultural knowledge and grapevines Why Riesling is grown in the Eden and Clare Valleys How the Barossa was named after a battle in Spain, and the spelling mistake that stuck Phylloxera in Europe and Australia What phylloxera is and how it damages the roots of Vitis vinifera The identification of phylloxera in 1868 as European vineyards were devastated South Australia's strict vine protection legislation in 1874, passed before phylloxera reached Australia Phylloxera's discovery in Victoria in 1877 and the slump that followed as the gold ran out The Barossa Old Vine Charter Why South Australia remains phylloxera free The 2009 Barossa Old Vine Charter and its four categories of old vines Why so many of these ancient vines are Shiraz, the grape James Busby brought from France Episode Highlights and Quotes "The gold rush doesn't just create miners, it creates towns, wealth, restaurants, hotels, agriculture, and most importantly for wine producers, customers." "This, friend, is why we have Riesling in the Eden and Clare Valleys." "They survived economic booms and busts. They survived changes in wine fashion, generations of growers, and crucially, they survived phylloxera because it never reached them." Australian Wine History Quick Reference 1836: South Australia established as a free settler colony 1837: Vines being planted near Adelaide 1851: Victoria becomes a separate colony, and gold is discovered 1851 to 1861: Victoria's population increases sixfold 1860s: European vines begin dying from an unknown cause 1868: Phylloxera identified as the cause 1874: South Australia passes strict vine protection legislation 1877: Phylloxera discovered in Victoria 2009: Barossa Old Vine Charter created Barossa Old Vine Charter Categories Old Vine: 35 years or older Survivor Vine: 70 years or older Centenarian Vine: 100 years or older Ancestor Vine: 125 years or older Resources Mentioned Episode 131: Australian Wine History - The Convicts Who Planted Australia's First Vines and the Wine Nerd Who Laid the Foundations Barossa Old Vine Charter James Busby Australian Wine Class at Wine Educate, October 20, at The Independent in New Orleans Level 2 Mock Exam Bundle - realistic practice questions to prepare for the WSET Level 2 exam: https://joanne-close.mykajabi.com/offers/xeXeiyop/checkout Coming Up Next Episode 133: Australian Wine History - [Insert Title] Joanne turns to the grape at the heart of so many of the Barossa's oldest vines, Shiraz, and the story of how it became Australia's signature variety. Connect with Wine Educate Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter - sign up for wine tips, quizzes, and episode updates delivered to your inbox every week. Website: https://www.wineeducate.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wineeducate Never miss an episode. Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review and share it with fellow wine lovers. Reviews are the best way to help other WSET students find the show. Listeners in Australia and Tasmania, Joanne would love to hear from you. Let her know if you live near a wine region and which local wines you love most by emailing [email protected], and she may feature your stories in the newsletter. About Wine Educate Wine Educate is a WSET Approved Programme Provider offering internationally recognized wine certification courses. Through the podcast, Joanne Close makes wine education accessible to everyone, breaking down complex topics into practical, easy-to-understand lessons. Whether you are studying for your WSET certification or simply want to learn more about wine, you will find the guidance and knowledge you need to enjoy wine with confidence. Episode 132 of the Wine Educate Podcast | Hosted by Joanne Close | © 2026 Wine Educate A few things to check before you publish: Title format: I used the hyphen to match last week. If you decided to switch to the colon, change both titles. Victoria's date: The transcript says Victoria was settled in 1830. Permanent European settlement there is usually dated to 1834 to 1835 (Portland, then Melbourne). I left that date out of the notes so it can't be flagged. Barossa's name: The transcript's "General William Light" is probably "Surveyor-General" (he was Colonel William Light). The battle was the Battle of Barrosa, with two Rs, which is the misspelling story. I kept that section general, but you could add those details if you like. Still needed: the episode length and the Episode 133 title.   date Oct 6 9:49 I like the title, should I say that this is part two, I do not say the other one is part one   I'd leave "Part 2" out of the title. Episode 131 doesn't say "Part 1," so adding it here would make the series look inconsistent in podcast apps. The shared "Australian Wine History" name already shows the episodes belong together, and the episode numbers give the order. The description already starts with "In part two of the Australian wine history series," and Resources Mentioned links back to Episode 131. Anyone who lands on this episode first will know where to start. The only reason to number the parts is if you plan to go back and add "Part 1" to Episode 131 as well. It's a small edit, but it's one more thing to keep up as the series grows, so I'd skip it. Here are the updated metadata lines: Host: Joanne Close Episode Length: 9:49 Release Date: October 6, 2026   ok give me the whole thing again so I can cut and paste   Episode 132: Australian Wine History - Why a "New World" Country Has Some of the World's Oldest Vines Host: Joanne Close Episode Length: 9:49 Release Date: October 6, 2026 Join the Wine Educate Newsletter Get wine tips, episode updates, and exclusive content delivered to your inbox. Subscribe at https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter Level 2 Mock Exam Bundle Barossa Shiraz and Eden and Clare Valley Riesling are classic Australian wines that come up on the WSET Level 2 exam. The Level 2 Mock Exam Bundle gives you realistic practice questions in the same format as the real exam, so you can find your weak spots before exam day and walk in feeling prepared. https://joanne-close.mykajabi.com/offers/xeXeiyop/checkout Episode Description In part two of the Australian wine history series, Joanne follows the vines as they spread out from New South Wales. Australia is roughly the size of the United States, so this part of the story reads more like a migration map: wherever people settled, vines went with them. In Victoria, the 1851 gold rush grew the population sixfold in a decade and created something every wine industry needs, which is customers. In South Australia, a free settler colony attracted farmers, tradespeople and families, including German settlers who brought their viticultural knowledge and their vines. That is why Riesling grows in the Eden and Clare Valleys today. Joanne also tells the story of how the Barossa got its name, typo and all. Then phylloxera arrives. Joanne explains what this tiny insect does to vine roots, why Victoria's wine industry slumped when it hit, and how South Australia's early vine protection laws kept the insect out completely. The result is that a country we've long ca

Episode 131: Australian Wine History: The Convicts Who Planted Australia's First Vines and the Wine Nerd Who Laid the Foundations Host: Joanne Close Episode Length: 10:28 Release Date: September 29, 2026 Join the Wine Educate Newsletter Get wine tips, episode updates, and exclusive content delivered to your inbox. Subscribe at https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter Level 2 Mock Exam Bundle Australia comes up again and again on the WSET Level 2 exam, from Hunter Valley Semillon to Barossa Shiraz. The Level 2 Mock Exam Bundle gives you realistic practice questions in the same format as the real exam, so you can find your weak spots before exam day and walk in feeling prepared. https://joanne-close.mykajabi.com/offers/xeXeiyop/checkout Episode Description This episode kicks off a new series on Australian wine, and Joanne starts at the very beginning. To really understand why Australia grows the grapes it does and makes the styles it makes, you need to know how vines got there in the first place. That story starts in 1788 with the First Fleet, a group of 11 ships carrying convicts, sailors, administrators and their families from England to establish a new settlement. Joanne explains why grapevines were packed alongside food crops and livestock, how the fleet collected vines on stops in Rio de Janeiro and the Cape of Good Hope, and why those first plantings around Sydney Cove mostly failed. Then she introduces James Busby, who she calls Australia's first wine nerd. His trip through France and Spain brought back thousands of cuttings, including Semillon and Syrah taken straight from the northern Rhône, and helped turn the Hunter Valley into a serious wine region. Along the way, Joanne also looks at why many wine educators are moving away from the terms Old World and New World, and why Australian wine history makes that case so clearly. If you are studying for WSET Level 2 or Level 3, this history gives you a framework that makes Australian regions and grapes much easier to remember. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why "Old World" and "New World" Are Being Phased Out How these terms have traditionally been used in wine education Why organizations like the Court of Master Sommeliers have dropped them, citing historical accuracy, cultural bias and blurring stylistic differences How Australia's history challenges the idea of a "new" wine country The First Fleet and Australia's First Vines Why England sent convicts to Australia after the American colonies rebelled The 11 ships that left Portsmouth on May 13, 1787, with around 750 convicts plus mariners, administrators and families Why the grapevine was considered essential for building a European-style agricultural society Vines picked up in Brazil and South Africa, likely including Chenin Blanc, Semillon and Muscat varieties The move from Botany Bay to Sydney Cove in Port Jackson, where the first vines were planted Early Struggles Around 8,000 vines planted by 1791 Why these early efforts largely failed without any viticultural expertise on board James Busby: Australia's First Wine Nerd His background in Edinburgh and his family's move to New South Wales Studying wine in France and writing a book about wine at age 24 Receiving land in the Hunter Valley and becoming the de facto wine expert His return trip to Europe and the thousands of cuttings he brought back from top vineyard sites in France and Spain Introducing Semillon to the Hunter Valley and Syrah (Shiraz) from the northern Rhône Setting Up the Rest of the Series How vines spread from New South Wales into Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania A preview of how phylloxera changed the significance of Australia's vineyards Episode Highlights and Quotes "Europeans didn't merely wanna survive. They're attempting to establish a European agricultural society." "Nobody knew what they were doing. I mean, there was no wine expert on this boat. There was no agricultural expert. They were convicts, administrators, and sailors." "What we really need here is a wine nerd to the rescue, and that is exactly who shows up in the form of James Busby." Australian Wine History Quick Reference 1787: 11 ships leave Portsmouth, England on May 13, stopping at Rio de Janeiro and the Cape of Good Hope 1788: First vines planted at Sydney Cove, Port Jackson 1791: Around 8,000 vines reportedly planted in the area, most struggling to survive 1820s: Vines being planted in the Hunter Valley, with James Busby as a key early figure Busby's European trip: Thousands of cuttings from France and Spain, including Semillon and northern Rhône Syrah Mid 19th century: Vineyards spread into Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania Key grapes from this era: Chenin Blanc, Semillon, Muscat, Syrah (Shiraz) Resources Mentioned James Busby and his early book on wine and viticulture Court of Master Sommeliers Legend, an importer bringing Australian wines into the New Orleans market Australian Wine Class at Wine Educate, October 20, in the shop in New Orleans WSET Level 3 Prep Live, second cohort starting in January, for students who want extra help and accountability Level 2 Mock Exam Bundle - realistic practice questions to prepare for the WSET Level 2 exam: https://joanne-close.mykajabi.com/offers/xeXeiyop/checkout Questions for Joanne: [email protected] Coming Up Next Episode 132: Australian Wine History - Why a "New World" Country Has Some of the World's Oldest Vines Joanne follows the vines across Australia to see where they survived and where they didn't, and explains how phylloxera turned some of Australia's vineyards into home to some of the oldest surviving vines on Earth. Connect with Wine Educate Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/6648859973ba/newsletter - sign up for wine tips, quizzes, and episode updates delivered to your inbox every week. Website: https://www.wineeducate.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wineeducate Never miss an episode. Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review and share it with fellow wine lovers. Reviews are the best way to help other WSET students find the show. Listeners in Australia and Tasmania, Joanne would love to hear from you. Send photos, stories and your favourite wines to [email protected] and she may feature them in the newsletter. About Wine Educate Wine Educate is a WSET Approved Programme Provider offering internationally recognized wine certification courses. Through the podcast, Joanne Close makes wine education accessible to everyone, breaking down complex topics into practical, easy-to-understand lessons. Whether you are studying for your WSET certification or simply want to learn more about wine, you will find the guidance and knowledge you need to enjoy wine with confidence. Episode 131 of the Wine Educate Podcast | Hosted by Joanne Close | © 2026 Wine Educate