How Good Are Australian Wine?

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Initially, when thinking of wine-producing regions, Niagara, Chautauqua and Napa Valley in the US, as well as France, Germany and Italy may come to mind. However, an often under-rated wine producer is the land down under! In fact, Australian wine is the fourth most-imported wine in the world, following France, Italy and Northern California. Over 95% of all Australian wines are grown in South Australia and though there are more than 800 wineries, 80% of the wine produced comes from Foster’s Group, Hardy Wine Company, Casella Wines and Orlando Wines. On your next visit to the wine shop, grab a bottle of Yellow Tail, Wyndham Estate or Penfold.

You will likely never forget the first time you try an Australian Riesling: as the white wine explodes with hints of apricot, peat and a particularly sweet-and-sour green grape flavor. Compared to German Rieslings, the Aussie variety is drier, with less sweetness and more aroma. Chardonnay is a relatively new variety in Australia, but you can find smooth or crisp varieties, depending on which vineyard you buy from. The Australians sometimes pair Chardonnay with Semillon white wine. Semillon itself is a drier white that goes well with fish. Unlike Semillon, which is produced in humid regions of Australia, the Pinot Grigios come from the cooler climate regions and are a crisper, more tart wine, as opposed to aromatic and subtle.

Red wines, like Shiraz, are very popular and include ripe fruit, tannins and spices that complement beef, lamb and pork entrees. Pinot Noirs are smooth reds with a long finish that is delicious with ham, duck and cheese. Drier in nature, Cabernet Sauvignon has a bold taste and deep flavor, and is often popular as a “Bordeaux Blend,” mixed with Merlot.

The Australian wine export market totaled 2.8 billion dollars in 2007, with an annual growth of 9%. The biggest competition comes from California, France and Italy, which are still holding their own in the global market. New marketing strategies have been targeting the upscale markets, since many view Australian brands as being a good wine to grab if it’s being promoted. While Australia is often seen as a newcomer to the wine-making scene, its success, particularly in Shiraz production, is impressive.

One of the best times to experience Australian wine is to come during one of the Australian festivals. Every month, the Victorian Wine Regions feature a Showcase Series at Fed Square in Melbourne, which features wine from a particular region. You can chat with winemakers and experts from the selected region and try different wineries all in one convenient location. If you come during January, then there’s a Tasmanian Fruit Wine Festival. Melbourne’s Food and Wine Festival is in March and the Barossa Vintage Festival in April can’t be beat! Brisbane has a nice Fine Wine Festival in July and the Hunter Valley has a “Jazz in the Vines” series in October. Lastly, the Margaret River Wine Region has a festival in November.

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