McLaren Vale -麦克拉倫谷 

McLaren Vale

The McLaren Vale wine region, in the north-west of Fleurieu Peninsula, is located approximately 35 kilometers (22 miles) south of Adelaide. It is by far the most important wine-producing area in the Fleurieu zone and is also regarded very highly throughout Australia and the world. 

A wide array of grape varieties can be successfully grown here. The best wines come from very old vines, some planted more than 100 years ago. These are prized for producing low yields of extremely concentrated fruit. Shiraz leads the region's list of award-winning wines, making McLaren Vale a favorite place to grow this grape.

Cabernet Sauvignon is another prominent grape variety, along with Grenache and Mourvedre, which, together with Shiraz, make up some of the most acclaimed GSM blends here. Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc dominate McLaren Vale's white grape varieties. A plethora of other regional and international specialties such as Merlot, Zinfandel, Tempranillo,  Sangiovese and Viognier are also making their mark.

The diverse portfolio of grape varieties reflects the region's varied grape-growing conditions, due to topographical factors and proximity to the cooling influences of the Gulf Saint Vincent. Altitudes differ markedly according to the location, and different mesoclimates are created as a result of varying degrees of exposure to the Mount Lofty Ranges in the north and the Sellicks Ranges in the south.

Overall, the climate is Mediterranean, with fresh sea breezes helping to moderate temperatures during the growing season. Chilly winds from the hills also cool the grapes on specific vineyard sites, helping to retain acidity and structure. The summers and most of the autumn season are dry, which keeps vine diseases at bay. McLaren Vale vineyards also boast a wide range of soil types, with localized specialties.

The region acquired its GI (Geographical Indication) status in 1997, but wine-growing traditions here are amongst the oldest in the country. Pioneers such as Thomas Hardy and John Reynella, both iconic names in the Australian wine industry, can be credited with this achievement, having realized the region's potential in the early 19th Century when the first vines were planted.

The proximity of McLaren Vale to the city of Adelaide provides plenty of custom for local wine prod, this region of beauty with a focus on quality and innovation that ensures its reputation will continue to grow and grow. McLaren Vale is also one of the more environmentally conscious regions in Australia with a large percentage of producers farming organically, biodynamically or employing sustainable farming methods."  

        關於產區的名字由來，有兩種說法，一說取自南澳州（South Australia）殖民公司的總裁David McLaren的名字，一說取自1839年來此地做調查的John McLaren的名字。

        1839年末，英國德文郡的William Colton和Charles Thomas Hewett移民至此，成為當地最早的定居移民。William Colton創建了“Daringa Farm”，Charles Thomas Hewett創建了“Oxenberry Farm”，對該產區早期的農業發展起著至關重要的作用，對當地葡萄種植業的發展也起到推動作用。

        儘管19世紀當地的經濟農作物主要是穀物類，但葡萄種植還是以小規模的方式在逐漸發展。1838年，John Reynell和Thomas Hardy栽培了產區第一批葡萄樹，這些葡萄樹距今已有100多年歷史，有些葡萄樹至今還在出產葡萄。而現在的Seaview和Hardy酒廠也在1850年就開始運營了。如今，該產區擁有的酒廠超過88個，其中多數為家族式的小酒廠。

        麥克拉倫谷是一個綠色清新的產區，比較有眼光且具創新意識的酒商開始採用有機耕作和生物動力耕作的葡萄栽培方式，並嘗試栽培一些來自西班牙、意大利和葡萄牙的品種，這些品種包括菲亞諾（Fiano）、丹魄（Tempranillo）、桑嬌維塞（Sangiovese）、仙粉黛（Zinfandel）、多瑞加（Touriga）和巴貝拉（Barbera）。  

        該產區最著名的葡萄酒是柔軟醇厚的紅葡萄酒，這些紅葡萄酒帶有成熟漿果和巧克力的香味，單寧十分細緻。西拉（Shiraz）是該地區的主要品種，用它釀出的紅葡萄酒能發出覆盆子和黑橄欖的香氣；而用赤霞珠（Cabernet Sauvignon）釀製的葡萄酒則濃郁豐滿，帶有藍莓味；用優質的Grenache老藤葡萄釀製的葡萄酒，十分多汁。此外，較為涼爽的葡萄園還出產霞多麗（Chardonnay）、賽美蓉（Semillon）和長相思（Sauvignon Blanc）。