Australia

Grapes

White grapes

Riesling

One of the oldest and most distinguished white grape varieties in the world, with a rich history dating back centuries. Its story is deeply intertwined with European winemaking traditions, particularly in Germany, where it is believed to have originated.

Riesling is well-adapted to cooler climates, thriving in regions where other grape varieties struggle. It is known for its high natural acidity, which is key to its longevity and balance. One of Riesling’s defining features is its versatility. It can produce wines in a range of styles, from bone-dry to lusciously sweet. Riesling is highly expressive of terroir, meaning its flavor profile can vary significantly based on the region, soil, and climate in which it is grown.

Riesling first arrived in Australia, from Europe, in the 19th century. The exact date of its introduction is not precisely documented, but the grape variety is believed to have been brought over as part of the early vine collections imported by settlers in the 1830s and 1840s. The influx of German immigrants during the mid-19th century played a crucial role in popularizing Riesling in Australia. They brought with them a tradition of winemaking that included a strong affinity for Riesling, which thrived in the cool-climate areas they settled.

Australian Riesling is known for its crisp acidity, vibrant fruit flavors, and refreshing minerality. The country produces Riesling in several key regions, each offering distinct characteristics depending on the climate and terroir.

Australian Riesling wine is celebrated for its exceptional quality and distinctive characteristics, making it one of the most esteemed white wine styles in the country.

Australian Riesling is typically known for its expressive citrus flavors, including lime, lemon, and grapefruit. Some also have notes of green apple and hints of jasmine or orange blossom.  High acidity is a defining feature, giving Australian Rieslings their crisp, mouthwatering finish and provide an excellent structure for aging. As these wines age, and Australian Rieslings age quite well, they develop more complex characteristics such as toasty, honeyed notes, and hints of marmalade and petrol, which are prized by many wine enthusiasts. The best examples of Australian Riesling, especially those from Clare and Eden Valleys, can age gracefully for 10–20 years or more. The high acidity preserves the wine’s structure, allowing it to develop deep, rich flavors over time.

Australian Rieslings are generally light to medium-bodied with a dry finish. Most Australian Rieslings are crafted in a dry style, showcasing pure, bright fruit flavors and racy acidity. While less common, some regions and producers create off-dry and late-harvest Rieslings that have a touch of sweetness, balanced by the wine’s natural acidity.

Primary Regions

  1. Clare Valley (South Australia): The Clare Valley is renowned for producing some of Australia’s finest Rieslings. Wines from this region are often known for their intense lime and lemon aromas, bright acidity, and strong minerality. They often show a steely edge and can age well, developing complex notes of honey and petrol as they mature. The higher altitudes and cooler climate of the region contribute to its vibrant, balanced profile. Clare Valley is the most famous Riesling-producing region in Australia.
  2. Eden Valley (South Australia): about 75 miles southeast of Clare Valley, sits the Eden Valley. Home to some of the world’s oldest Riesling vines, Eden Valley’s overnight temperatures are often cooler than Clare Valley. Eden Valley also boasts an excellent reputation for Riesling. The cooler temperatures here result in wines that have similarly crisp minerality but tend to be more aromatic, with delicate floral notes and a softer texture. The fruit leans more toward ripe citrus notes and stone fruit flavors
  3. Tasmania:  Sitting approximately 42o S latitude off the southeastern tip of Australia, Tasmania’s cooler climate allows for the production of Riesling with vibrant acidity and finesse. All wines from Tasmania tend to be lighter and more delicate than other Australian wines and boast subtle floral and citrus aromas
  4. Great Southern (Western Australia): Other regions, such as d the Great Southern region and parts of Victoria produce Rieslings that can have unique profilesAlongside the typical citrus are aromas of tropical fruits such as pineapple, passion fruit, and lychee.

Australian Riesling is a vibrant, fresh wine style that showcases the best of the country’s cool-climate regions. With its pure fruit expression, high acidity, and exceptional aging potential, it appeals to both casual wine drinkers and connoisseurs. Whether young and zesty or aged and complex, Australian Riesling is a standout in the world of white wines.

Semillon

A white vinifera grape variety whose ancestral home is the Bordeaux region of France. It is also a true Heritage grape of South Africa where it has been traced to the early 17th century. The grape arrived in Australia in the early 19th century, and today is one of the most well-known and beloved wines of the Hunter Valley region.

Semillon’s vines are vigorous, and the grapes are easy to cultivate as they are relatively resistant to disease. The thin-skinned grapes are, however, susceptible to botrytis and sunburn. The Semillon vines love sunny days and cool nights and consistently produce about seven tons of grapes per acre.

Semillon wines tend to be fuller bodied with a some-what oily texture similar to Chardonnay.  Youthful or single-variety wines can be lighter-bodied and bright with some herbal and citrus notes reminiscent of Sauvignon Blanc.  However, if given five to ten years, Semillon wines can show a lot more stone fruit and honeyed qualities. Semillon wines can also be very rich and full-bodied. Semillon is usually moderate in alcohol content, but with a richer mouthfeel than many other white varieties. This is especially true with oak influence, age, or in sweeter botrytized wines.

Peach, lemon, apple, floral, straw, and honey are the most familiar tastes and aromas. It’s also common to find lime, grapefruit, pear, papaya, apricot, fig, herbs, grass, vanilla and toast notes depending on where the wine is from, and how it is made.

Semillon is widely grown in Australia, particularly in the Hunter Valley north of Sydney, where for a long time it was known as “Hunter River Riesling”. Four styles of Semillon-based wines are made there:

  1. A popular commercial style often blended with Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc
  2. A sweet style similar to the famous Sauternes region of Bordeaux
  3. An early-harvested style with refreshing minerality and complexity. This particular style is known for its longevity.
  4. And an equally high-quality dry style, which can be released soon after vintage as a vat- or bottle-aged example.

The last two styles were pioneered by Australian producers and are considered unique to Australia.

Unlike most white wines, the aging potential of Semillon can be decades. Some of the most sought-after Semillon wines are from the cooler vintages of the mid-to-late 1970s.  Most examples of these bottle-aged Hunter Semillons exhibit a buttercup-yellow color with burnt toast or honey characteristics on the nose and a complexity of flavors on the palate. The finish can be long with a soft acidity.  Young Hunter Valley Semillon is almost always a dry wine, usually exhibiting citrus flavors of lemon, lime or green apple.

Semillon is finding its way into the hearts of many Australian producers outside the Hunter Valley in the Barossa Valley and Margaret River regions. The Adelaide Hills is becoming a flourishing region for Semillon, with the cooler climate producing some wines of great complexity.

References: The Grape Grind, Wine Enthusiast, The Oxford Companion to Wine

Red grapes

Shiraz

Also known as Syrah in Old World wine regions, is a thick-skinned, red grape variety known for its bold flavors and versatility. Wine from the Syrah/Shiraz grape originated in the Rhône Valley in France but has become a prominent varietal in wine-producing regions around the world. Shiraz is one of the signature wines of Australia but can also be found in South Africa and California.

In 1999, DNA testing showed the Syrah grape to be the popular offspring of two very obscure grapes from southeastern France—Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche. Dureza, the father vine of Syrah, was a vitis vinifera native to France and not introduced into the country from other countries as originally thought. Mondeuse Blanche, the vitis vinifera mother of Syrah, is a white grape found almost exclusively in Savoie, France. Its existence is dwindling with every vintage.

Shiraz grapes are robust and can thrive in diverse climates, though they generally prefer warm conditions. The grape’s thick skin helps it withstand pests and diseases, making it a fairly resilient to adversity in the vineyard.

Shiraz wines are typically full-bodied with a rich, dark color. The thick skin of the grapes provides firm, medium to high tannins that support the structure of the wine. Tannins, along with a refreshing, moderate acidity lay the foundation for a wine with good aging potential. Black fruits such as blackberry and plum dominate the flavor profile with lovely hints of lavender. Complexity is created by spicy notes of black pepper (France) and black licorice (Australia) with an occasional note of cocoa.

Australian Shiraz wines tend to be quite fruity and bold. They are characterized by ripe fruit and a lush mouthfeel. As the Shiraz ages, it can reveal nuanced earthy and savory notes. Shiraz is considered, by most wine growing regions, to be reflective of the environment in which it is grown, thus causing it to be celebrated for its diversity and making it a favorite among wine enthusiasts.

Each region in Australia brings unique characteristics to their Shiraz from vineyard to bottle, and all of them are worth exploring. Prime regions for Shiraz are:

  1. Barossa Valley is known for its rich full-bodied Shiraz with intense fruit flavors and complexity.
  2. McLaren Vale offers a more diverse range of Shiraz styles, but all are generally fruit-forward with a subtle spice
  3. Hunter Valley is famous for its elegant, medium-bodied Shiraz with more earthy and savory notes.
  4. Clare Valley Shiraz is regarded for having vibrant and fresh Shiraz wine that focus on balanced acidity.

Shiraz is widely produced in Australia which makes it a remarkably accessible wine.  High-quality options are available across different price points, making it easy for wine drinkers to find a bottle that suits their budget. For many, Shiraz hits the sweet spot between intensity, smoothness, and complexity, making it a versatile and satisfying choice.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Originated in the Bordeaux region of France. The grape is believed to have been created in the 17th century through a natural crossing between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. The grape’s hardy nature quickly made it popular among vintners. Although the exact timeline is not precisely documented, the variety became prominent in Bordeaux by the 18th century. It thrived particularly in the gravelly soils of the Left Bank of Bordeaux, such as the Médoc and Graves regions.

Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are known for their thick skins, which offer some resistance to rot and pests, making them relatively easy to cultivate. The grape grows well in a range of climates and conditions, contributing to its spread and cultivation globally. The Cabernet Sauvignon grape produces wines with high tannins and acidity, giving them excellent aging potential.

Cabernet Sauvignon spread from Bordeaux to become the most widely planted and revered red grape variety in the world. It has had decades of success outside of France in regions like Napa Valley, California and other parts of the New World such as Coonawarra and Margaret River in Australia, and in South American countries, particularly in Chile. Today, Cabernet Sauvignon is celebrated as the “king of red wines” due to its robust flavor, adaptability, and role in producing some of the most prestigious and long-lived wines in the world.

Australian Cabernet Sauvignon is known for its distinctive and high-quality characteristics, contributing to the country’s reputation as a world-class wine producer. Quality Australian Cabernet Sauvignon is produced in Margaret River, McClaren Vale, Yarra Valley, and Hunter Valley.  Cabernet Sauvignon from Australia may find its most unique expression in Coonawarra

Margaret River is located in Western Australia. Known for its elegant and refined Cabernets, the climate, influenced by proximity to the Indian Ocean, results in wines with fine tannins and subtle herbal notes.

McLaren Vale: Located in South Australia, and more renowned for Shiraz, McClaren Vale also produces bold, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignons. Its warm maritime climate is moderated by a sea breeze that contributes to the freshness and balance in the area’s wines. McClaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon is fresh and elegant. A notable characteristic of the McLaren Vale region is its strong focus on sustainable and biodynamic winemaking practices, making it a leader in environmentally conscious wine production.

Yarra Valley is located just northeast of Melbourne, in Victoria. It’s one of Australia’s cooler climate wine regions, known for producing refined and elegant wines. The region has a cool to moderate climate with a significant diurnal shift, allowing for a longer growing season. This contributes to slower ripening and more complex flavor development in the grapes. Yarra Valley Cabernet Sauvignons are typically medium-bodied and showcase a balance of fruit and structure. The cooler climate leads to wines with firm but fine tannins and refreshing acidity, giving them good aging potential.

Hunter Valley, located north of Sydney, in New South Wales is one of Australia’s oldest wine regions with a winemaking history that dates back to the early 19th century. The region experiences a warm and humid climate, which is moderated by cool ocean breezes. The humidity can pose challenges, but experienced vintners have adapted to these conditions. Cabernet Sauvignon from Hunter Valley tends to be lighter and more medium-bodied compared to warmer regions. The wines from Hunter Valley are known for having softer tannins and lower acidity compared to cooler regions, making them approachable at a younger age.

Coonawarra in South Australia is perhaps the most famous for Cabernet Sauvignon. The unique terra rossa soil contributes to the wine’s complex flavor profile, featuring rich fruit, structure, and balanced acidity. In addition to the traditional black fruits of Cabernet Sauvignon—blackcurrant, blackberry, and dark cherry, Coonawarra is known for its eucalyptus notes and an occasional hint of tobacco and/or black olive. These wines often have strong aging potential, with the ability to develop notes of cedar, chocolate, and earthy undertones over time. Although most Cabernets from Coonawarra are full-bodied with firm tannins and a well-structured palate, the tannin profile and unpredictable acidity make Coonawarra wine styles diverse and sometimes mysterious.

Overall, Australian Cabernet Sauvignon is highly regarded in international wine competitions and among wine enthusiasts. Australian Cabernet is noted for its ability to showcase the unique terroirs of its growing regions while maintaining a distinctly Australian character with intense fruit flavors and a touch of the country’s signature mint or eucalyptus essence. Australian Cabernet Sauvignon offers a diverse range of expressions, from approachable, fruit-forward bottles to complex, cellar-worthy wines.