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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Evaluate Australian wines.
  2. Handle, store and monitor Australian wine products.
  3. Advise customers on Australian wines.
  4. Extend and update own knowledge of Australian wines.

Required Skills

This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit

The following skills must be assessed as part of this unit

communication skills to articulate advice on wines and to discuss and debate different ideas and opinions about wines

critical thinking skills to evaluate wide ranging information about wines and apply and adapt information to wine specialist activities

literacy skills to research and interpret detailed information about wines from a variety of sources

problemsolving skills to identify product faults and make judgments about appropriate remedial action

The following knowledge must be assessed as part of this unit

the full range of sensory evaluation techniques and their relevance to different types of wines

structure history trends and philosophies of the Australian wine industry

general understanding of the operation of wine shows and wine medal systems in an Australian context

characteristics of major Australian wines including

different wine types and their styles

different production methods

label terminology and interpretation

major regional variations

principal grape varieties used in wine types

the place of Australian wines in the international marketplace

how Australian wines compare with imported wines in terms of general types and styles

general knowledge of Australian geography in relation to its impact on wine growing

climatic classification of Australian grapegrowing regions registered by the Geographical Indications Committee including factors that influence the character of wine

impact of the vineyard and viticultural techniques affecting the taste and style of wine

annual cycle of a general vineyard and regional specific cycles

wine production methods and variations for white red sparkling and fortified wines including

basic wine production steps and variations for different wines harvesting crushing pressing fermentation clarification maturing bottling

new world approaches to wine making

specific production techniques for white wine additional clarification process before and after fermentation pressing malolactic fermentation and oak usage

specific production techniques for red wine fermentation on the skins maceration techniques such as pumping over plunging down heading down and rotary fermenters

specific production techniques for sparkling wines such as traditionelle the transfer process tank fermentation and carbonation

specific techniques for fortified wines

factors that affect the style and quality of wine including

climate

soil

grape variety

viticultural techniques

storage

vinification techniques

key structural components in wine and their impact on taste including alcohol tannin sugar fruit flavour

indicators of quality in wines and analysis and diagnosis of wine faults or impairments including

oxidation

tartrates

cloudiness

cork faults

presence of hydrogen sulphide

wine service techniques including serving aged wines and processes for the decanting of wine

storage and cellaring requirements for a range of wines and reasons for these

contributing factors of a successful wine list

overview of the types of foods that match successfully with different wines more detailed food matching skills are found in the unit SITHFABA Provide specialised advice on food and beverage matching

overview of the types of foods that match successfully with different wines (more detailed food matching skills are found in the unit SITHFAB324A Provide specialised advice on food and beverage matching)

requirements of the relevant state or territory Liquor Act in relation to service of alcohol please note that this may be covered by completion of SITHFABA Provide responsible service of alcohol

requirements of the relevant state or territory Liquor Act in relation to service of alcohol (please note that this may be covered by completion of SITHFAB009A Provide responsible service of alcohol).

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this TrainingPackage

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential

identification of different characteristics of Australian wines using sensory evaluation techniques

knowledge of Australian wines as detailed under required knowledge

ability to maintain and extend current and relevant knowledge of Australian wines and to apply that knowledge to different workplace activities

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure

interaction with and involvement of other people to discuss Australian wine characteristics and options and to answer varied questions about wines

access to a wide range of Australian wines and to information on wines

Methods of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge The following examples are appropriate for this unit

direct observation of candidate providing advice to customers or colleagues on wine

oral or written questions to assess knowledge of wine

observation of a presentation on wine

observation of candidate evaluating wines and providing opinions

research project to develop information about wines for use in particular workplace context

review of wine lists written by the candidate for particular contexts and purposes

review of portfolio of evidence and thirdparty workplace reports of onthejob performance by the candidate


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the performance criteria is detailed below.

Australian wines must include wines from:

all major and emerging Australian wine regions.

Sensory evaluation techniques must include:

visual appraisal:

wine swirling and glass handling

use of light and background

intensity and type of colour

clarity

identifying 'legs' or 'tears' to assess alcohol or glycerol content

smell or nose appraisal:

techniques for releasing aroma and bouquet

recognising 'off' odours

assessing intensity of aromas

describing smell characteristics (eg fruity, vegetal, spicy)

assessing age

taste appraisal:

techniques for releasing wine flavours (sucking in air, swirling wine over taste buds)

spitting techniques

recognising acidity, sweetness, weight or body, length, note, wine faults

assessing balance of wine features on the palate.

Other information may include:

promotional information

details of production methods

reference texts on wines

product reviews

presentation sessions from growers, wholesalers, distributors

information on wines currently listed in the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation (AWBA) Register of Protected Names.

Work as a specialist in wine may involve:

making presentations on wine

selling wine to corporations

selling wine to individuals

conducting specialised wine tastings

developing wine list suggestions

providing winery tours.

Particular requirements may relate to:

temperature

humidity

stock rotation

shelf life

amount of UV light

vibrations.

Impaired quality might relate to:

oxidation

tartrates

cloudiness

cork faults

presence of hydrogen sulphide.

Appropriate and ethical business considerations may include:

profitability requirements

current stock

supplier arrangements

stock availability

range being promoted.

Formal and informal research may include:

talking to product suppliers, winemakers and vineyard managers

memberships of associations and industry bodies

reading general and trade media and supplier information

attending trade shows

attending wine tastings

reading wine reference books

using the internet.