Australia

Wines of AUSTRALIA

Though a big continent, the vineyards of Australia are mainly concentrated in the South East: New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Although large-volume, inexpensive wines come out of Australia, it also produces great wines that can be cellared and aged for decades. It has been known for its easy-to-drink, affordable reds; especially its ripe, fruity, jammy Shiraz. Australian Shiraz ranges from inexpensive gulpables from warmer areas to lean, chewy, sophisticated wines of cooler regions. The good ones reflect a solid, ready to drink wine, with plenty of fresh fruit, spicy acidity and pleasant tannins. The best can age for at least a decade. With a wide range of climates and terrain, Australia offers a diverse wine portfolio. Coonawarra produces rich, minerally Cabernet Sauvignons while Victoria’s cool climate produces elegant Shirazes. Clare and Eden Valleys make some ultra-dry lime-citrusy Rieslings and Hunter Valley produces zingy, focused, crystal clear Semillons. Western Australia makes elegant Cabs, while Yarra Valley is pumping out some elegant Pinot Noirs. Best production areas: Shiraz (Barossa Valley, Hunter Valley, McLaren Vale, Western Victoria, Western Australia); Chardonnay (Adelaide Hills, Hunter Valley); Cabernet Sauvignon (Margaret River, Coonawarra); Semillon (Hunter Valley); Riesling (Clare Valley, Eden Valley).


New South Wales Hunter Valley/ Mudgee
In the North East is the Hunter Valley, one of the most long established wine regions of Australia – and in New South Wales, doubtlessly one of the most significant. Frequently divided into Lower and Upper Hunter, it is known for excellent, full-bodied Semillon wines, that can be vibrant, fresh and crisp when young and then have wonderful toasty rich characters with a little aging. Some can live for decades! It is possible to find some characterful (funky, earthy) Shiraz, and nowadays, some good Chardonnay as well. The wines produced from this region can range from bargain basement reds and whites, up to the premium red wines.
Key Red Grape Varieties Most commonly labeled as…			Key White Grape Varieties Most commonly labeled as…
Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Shiraz			Semillon Chardonnay

Victoria Rutherglen/ Yarra Valley
Here, some exciting wines are being produced, especially from the cool coastal areas. Generally a Shiraz from this region is muscular, dense. However, other varietals are becoming increasingly important in this region. The Mornington Peninsula is responsible for some interesting Pinot Noirs. They are slightly lighter and fresher in color – though seemingly delicate – and have enough intensity and complexity to stand up to many Old World styles. Nearby in the Yarra Valley, another cool region, you can also find Pinot Noirs of excellent quality. These display both the cherry and berry fruit expected of New World styles, yet also reflect some earthy Old World characteristics. And, its Chardonnay integrates a nice balance of oak with fruit flavors of peach and apricots or sometimes even fig. Further inland, the Goulburn Valley and Great Western, having temperate climates, offer some famous old wineries, which produce some delicious red and white styles. The Great Western, in fact, produces some excellent sparklers – and the Shiraz has a dark fruit and earthy richness, with a distinct nose of black pepper and violets. Victoria, to note, has some of the world’s oldest Marsanne vineyards. At its best, it can be a full-bodied, moderately intense wine with spice, pear and citrus notes.
Key Red Grape Varieties Most commonly labeled as…			Key White Grape Varieties Most commonly labeled as…
Shiraz Pinot Noir Cabernet Sauvignon			Chardonnay Marsanne

South Australia Borossa Valley, Clare Valley, McLaren Vale/ Coonawarra/ Pathaway
The regions of South Australia are some of the most familiar. Furthest south is Coonawarra, a region that translates its weight and aroma accents from its famous Terra Rossa soils. The Cabernet Sauvignon is medium bodied with herbaceous, bell pepper notes that range from grassy to minty. Further north, the Adelaide Hills, together with the Eden Valley and Clare Valley, have gained reputation for some excellent whites. Adelaide delivers fresh, fragrantly aromatic, yet crisp Sauvignon Blanc whereas both Eden and Clare are becoming known for Riesling; with a lemon or lime zest and acidity – some can show tons of minerality and spice when aged. Clare Valley also produces some significant Shiraz with notes of black pepper and lush, jammy fruit. Australia’s oldest region, the Barossa Valley, made its name with big and brooding Shiraz; with rich, dark berry fruits – some smelling a bit like a peppermint patty, with a distinctly minty note sandwiched between chocolaty fruit. There are also some good Semillon wines from here (although few rival those of Hunter Valley) and some lovely deep berry, yet spicy blends made from Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre. Nearer the coast is McLaren Vale, showing Shiraz; often with savory notes of olive and spice on the nose with immense blackberry and licorice aromas, ripe tannins, and a velvety texture – as well as old vine Grenache that present easy drinking reds.
Key Red Grape Varieties Most commonly labeled as…			Key White Grape Varieties Most commonly labeled as…
Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Grenache Mourvedre			Chardonnay Riesling Sauvignon Blanc Semillon

Western Australia Margaret River
On the West Coast the relatively cool climate Margaret River has made dramatic leaps in quality. The wines, especially Cabernet Sauvignon, have gained a reputation for elegance rather than power. Surrounded by intensely dark flavors and aromas that encompass red, blue and black berry fruit, the Cabernet Sauvignons have secondary characters of tobacco and textural notes of fine tannins. Furthermore, Western Australia is becoming more known for their lean, northern Rhone-like Shiraz. This area also produces Chardonnays that are both complex and easily alluring. Balanced with intense citrus flavors of white stone or tropical fruits and instinctively matched with a toasty bit of new oak. And, in the Great Southern, there are also some Rieslings gaining new interest. Their aroma and fruit character tends towards the floral and spice spectrum rather than the citrus. Look for honeysuckle, orange blossom, chamomile and lemon thyme.
Key Red Grape Varieties Most commonly labeled as…			Key White Grape Varieties Most commonly labeled as…
Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Pinot Noir			Chardonnay Riesling Sauvignon Blanc

Tasmania
Some great sparking wines can be found on this island off the Southeast coast of Australia. Expect these wines to be full of texture and intensity that highlight the concentrated rich and full-bodied flavor characteristics. Pinot Noir also is making a statement for itself here. With plenty of fresh red berry and stone fruit, it delivers the earthy structured roundness that suggests this wine is something to contend with from other Pinot producing areas around the world.
Key Red Grape Varieties Most commonly labeled as…			Key White Grape Varieties Most commonly labeled as…
Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Pinot Noir Shiraz			Chardonnay

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