5 Amazing Lesser Known Wine Regions in Australia

Australian wine is renowned and quite famous in parts of the world by enthusiasts. Being such a large country geographically, we are blessed to have vast lands and a range of different climates, meaning a variety of wines can be grown. In the October’s issue we have talked about 4 of the largest wine districts in Australia. This time let’s take a tour to our 5 most amazing wine districts in Australia that you might have missed all these time!

Pyrenees

Based in the Pyrenees ranges in Victoria, this region has come to be quite esteemed by wine connoisseurs from the area and has arguably become more famous than the other ranges. So while it might not be as undiscovered as some of the others on this list, it’s not exactly the first wine district out-of-towners visit when they venture to Victoria. It is also rather young compared to some of the better-known regions in the state, having been established in 2000. That said, tourism in the area remains substantial and the 40+ wineries operating here produce spicy, full-bodied Shiraz and cabernet varieties as well as the odd sparkling wine. The quality of the yields has a lot to do with the altitude of the rugged Pyrenees ranges, which range between 300 to 750 metres. The beauty of these ranges is also a highlight, with gorgeous mountain views, patches of iconic Australian gumtrees and uneven fields everywhere you look.

Langhorne Creek

Less than an hour south-east of Adelaide, essentially on the sea, is one of the smallest and under-appreciated wine districts in South Australia known as Langhorne Creek. It is as well hidden as any wine region in the country, despite having achieving success at various national and international wine shows.

The exceptionally flat, futile and rather damp land produces softer wines than neighbouring regions. Langhorne Creek has been praised on numerous occasions by popular winemaker Wolf Blass, who used to produce from this region in his blends. Langhorne Creek also has a rich history, with the first winemakers settling here in the 1850’s and many of the wineries are family owned and operated since this time.

Clare Valley

With the first winery propping up in the area in 1851, Clare Valley is actually one of the oldest wine regions in Australia. It is also considered by some to be the most picturesque with It’s unique combination of bushland, green, hilly meadows and 19th century stonework. This makes it one of the best areas to enjoy a meal or even to drive through. In addition, there are numerous historical sites that date back to the early settler years.

Located in the mid-north of the state, Clare Valley is renowned for Rieslings with cool nights and warm days in the summer making for the perfect conditions. Despite this, it has a range of grape varieties including Merlot and Sauvignon, which is grown in greater quantity than Riesling.

Cowra

The Cowra wine district covers just 1,250 square kilometers, spreading across the Lachlan Valley and the town of Canowindra, among several others. But what it lacks in geographical size, it more than makes up for in character.

In recent years, the region has become well-known for it’s emphasis on organic wines, which are produced without the use of artificial materials, preservatives and pesticides. Many industry players in the region have also taken steps towards promoting sustainable agriculture and winemaking practices, making the Cowra district one of the leaders in these fields. The 40 vineyards in the district also produce amazing tasting wine, having taken numerous awards and being praised by critics all over the state. Four wines coming out of the region were listed in renowned wine writer James Halliday’s recent top 100 wines of NSW.

Add to that the fact that Cowra produces many different varieties - including Chardonnay, Shiraz, Semillon and Cabernet Sauvignon - and you have a little something for everybody. You can also enjoy great food to go with your perfect wine while vising this must-not-be-missed wine district. To find the best food and wine you can visit Taste Canowindra, and enjoy the atmosphere!

Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Situated at the coast of South Australia, Kangaroo Island understandably might not even be on your radar when it comes to wine tourism, especially if you’re living interstate. However this quirky wine district makes for an amazing day trip if you happen to find yourself in the area.

Since the 1830’s, winemakers have grown a wide range of grapes from Chardonnay to Shiraz and just about everything in between. Despite this, the area wasn’t officially named a wine district until 2001. There are currently roughly 30 wine growers across 200 hectares, producing a typically fruity brand of wine.

There is also a great deal of wildlife throughout the district and if you do have a chance to hop across, we’d highly recommend Emu Ridge Eucalyptus, which not only offers wine tastings but is also the home of a range of orphaned animals.

Keep an eye on our blog, as we’ll be discussing more not-to-be-missed wine districts in the coming months and keep you up to date with what’s happening in Canowindra!

Top 4 Australian Wine Varieties: The Reds

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Hosting the fourth largest wine industry in the world, Australia produces some truly amazing drops and some of our wineries are world renowned. There are wineries in every Australian state and some of our most highly regarded wine regions include Coonawarra, Barossa Valley and NSW’s own Hunter Valley.

In this article series we will take a look at the different wine varieties on offer, their characteristics and what makes Australian wine so special. First, let’s talk about 'The Reds'.

Merlot

Made from dark coloured grapes, Merlot is known for being one of the softer reds and often has a more fruity flavour than its rivals. Its name comes from a French word for blackbird, which references the colour of the grapes it is made from.

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In many regions, harvest of the Merlot grape takes place relatively earlier and it takes less time to mature after being bottled as well. This means that Merlot often has a lower alcohol content and what might be described as a somewhat herbal flavour.

Merlot is popular during meal times as it goes particularly-well with red meat, and it is a good wine for beginners and people new to the pleasures of red wine-drinking. Merlot is grown all over Australia and notable wine regions including Margaret River and Barossa Valley.

Shiraz

Shiraz arrived in Australia (from France and Spain) in 1831 and was planted in the Hunter Region of NSW. Today it is one of the widely enjoyed reds in Australia and is our most popular red grape. Shiraz is grown on over 40,000 hectares in Australia alone.

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In terms of taste, this is a wine that can be very different depending on the region in which the grape is grown and the wine produced. Australian varieties are quite big, bold and aromatic, different from the lighter Merlot. It has become common for winemakers to add white grape know as Viognier to Shiraz, giving it an apricot-like flavour.

Shiraz is Australia’s most widely grown grape and can be found in just about every major wine region. The Cowra wine region in NSW is small by Australian standard but Shiraz’s and Cab Sau’s from this region have repeatedly won national awards in both organic and non-organic varieties.

Cabernet Sauvignon

The red with perhaps the greatest aging potential is the Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine that is categorised by its smooth texture and varied flavours. Aged in oak, it is full-bodied and quite acidic, and you may taste anything from cherry or plum to vanilla, chocolate or coffee in different varieties. In Australia, some even have a eucalyptus tang. The flavours differ from glass to glass and Cab Sav is often blended with other wine varieties.

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One of the main qualities of this grape that is worth mentioning is how easy it is to grow, as it has a thick skin and is more resilient to unfavourable weather conditions, rot, insects and the like. In fact, it has a reputation of taking over an area and pushing other grape varieties out when introduced.

Pinot Noir

In direct contrast, Pinot Noir is known for being one of the most difficult grape varieties to cultivate and tends to require cooler climates. This makes it a grape found in mostly in southern parts of Australia, most notably the Yarra Valley and parts of Tasmania. The grape does prosper in other areas however, including the Orange region in NSW, as this area is some 1000m above sea level. The grape has a thin skin and grows in clusters, making it quite susceptible to various problems.

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The wine it produces however, is not to be missed. Delicate and soft, wine made from young Pinot Noir grapes are often compared to a cherry/berry-like flavour while older varieties can cultivate a mixture of more complex earthy and flavours. This is a wine that is traditionally matched with lighter meals such as vegetables, chicken and fish dishes.

Stay tuned for our blog article next month, which will focus on most popular white wines in Australia. Wish you a successful year in 2016 from everyone at Taste Canowindra!

Australian Wine Regions and Their Trademark Varieties

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In recent times Australia’s wine production had grown exponentially, expanding in both volume and variety. There are currently over 60 designated wine regions throughout the country and as Australia’s reputation for one of the best wine producing countries in the world grows, so too does the demand for fine labelled regional wine.

The Hunter Valley – NSW

The hunter Valley is known for its exceptional galleries, health spas, fine dining and most importantly its wine. As Australia’s oldest wine growing region the hunter valley boasts a rich history in wine making, the first vines having been planted in the 1820s. Producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Verdelho, Chardonnay and Shiraz grapes, the hunter valley is a fertile and versatile wine producing area. This New South Wales wine region is most famous for its Semillon grapes, which produce wine that has won awards all over the world.

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Barossa Valley – SA

This winemaking region is one of the world’s finest, with history dating back to first settlement in 1842. The Barossa is known for its delicious fresh seasonal produce, with specialised food and wine trails for visitors to follow along with its famous Shiraz and Eden Valley Riesling and many other varieties that contribute to the Barossa’s stellar reputation. With over 150 wineries and more than 70 cellar doors, half of which are open to the public so you can see for yourself the process of fine wine production, the Barossa is a wine lover’s dream destination.

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Mornington Peninsular – VIC

In the cool climate of southern Victoria, the Mornington Peninsular is an ideal area for growing and producing wine. The focus for the Mornington Peninsular are their award winning Pinot Noir wines but many producers have found success with Tempranillo, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. With the seaside surrounds and the luxurious seasonal food on offer, the Mornington Peninsular is a popular holiday spot for foodies and wine lovers both.

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Margaret River – WA

Award winning restaurants and world renowned wineries make Margaret River a very popular spot to take in the beautiful Australian landscape and lifestyle. Producing some of the finest Cabernet Sauvignons, Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs Australia has on offer, the Margaret River region is home to over 215 grape growers and wine producers and produces over 20 percent of wine in Australia’s premium wine market. Margaret River has become a destination for people passionate about wine, and with its beautiful surrounds and stunning cuisine it’s no surprise.

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Along with these hubs of wine-making, there are smaller areas scattered throughout the south of Australia, with the cool climate of the south being perfect for growing all kinds of grape varieties. From Trentham and Heathcote to the Bellarine Peninsular in Victoria to Orange, Warriwood and Canowindra in NSW all the way over to the Swan District and the Great Southern wine regions of Western Australia and the Clare Valley, Adelaide Hills and the famous Coonawarra area of South Australia, this country has an incredible variety of high quality regional wines and a bright future in this ever expanding industry.

Delve into the Rich History of One of Australia’s Finest Wine Regions

Australian wine production has grown into a booming industry from its early beginnings in the early 1820s to become the world’s fourth largest exporter. Being host to over 60 different wine regions, the few that have stood the test of time have gone on to become world famous for their range of high quality boutique vintages.

With recent findings suggesting that wine has long been a great source of vitality, and the sourcing of fine wines becoming simpler than ever, let us take a look at some of the finest wines Australia has to offer.

Hunter valley, NSW was one of the country’s first wine regions, as well as considered to be one of the finest. Starting in the early 19th century, the region is known for its Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. With over 180 years of wine producing vineyards, Hunter Valley offers modern, sophisticated wine producing techniques from some of the world’s most renowned grapes. Producing roughly 2% of the country’s wine exports, but that small percentage makes up in award winning, varieties, styles and vintages.

The Cowra wine region is another specialist wine region that offers perfect conditions to grow the finest of wines. Located in the beautiful Lachlan Valley of NSW, the region is home to over 40 vineyards which include large wine producers and boutique tasting experiences that can compete with anywhere in the world. Falls Vineyard is one particular wine producer that produces limited quantities of high quality, award-winning wines including Chardonnay, Shiraz, Semillon, Merlot and the finest Cabernet Sauvignon.

Some of the finer Falls Wine stock includes the famous Squatter’s Ghost Shiraz ’09 which is rich in colour, produces a dense red berry palate and blends an exquisitely complex bouquet of bramble fruit with tones of earth and eucalypt. The Sparkling Brut Reserve is a prestige win that is produced from a decadent blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to bring a fresh palate of delicate fruit flavours. Combining intensity and finesse, this Sparkling Brut Reserve makes for a fresh cleansing tone to accompany a special meal.

One of the many modern and sophisticated wine growing techniques employed in this wine region include Rosnay wine’s certified biodynamic farm and vineyard. This sustainable biodynamic farm offers a chance to enjoy the fruit of natural labour through its award winning Rosnay wines.

One of the most popular and celebrated Rosnay wines has to be the Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 which received the gold medal at the prestigious Cowra National Wine Show in 2012. With elegance and finesse in taste, this Cabernet Sauvignon is lightly filtered and contains no animal proteins to preserve complexity and aid flavour.

The finest wines of Australia, like all fine vintages not only have the benefits of great taste and luxury appeal, but gives us the added advantage of being good for you. In moderate amounts, studies have shown that a regular, yet small intake of wine can promote longevity of life, help reduce the risks associated with stroke as well as helping to slow brain decline.

The differences in types of wine also show different benefits, with red wine being good for the heart with its tannins which contain procyanidins, whilst white wines provide an excellent source of certain nutrients that are good for the pulmonary system.

With more and more studies coming forward that promote the moderate consumption of wine for their health benefits, why not opt for some of the finer wines that Australia has to offer. With a large range of traditional wines to choose from around the Cowra region as well as more diverse biodynamic vineyard wines, Canowindra offers even the finest wine connoisseurs something to look forward to toasting.