5008 Wine Regions (Page 1)

Wine Australia fact sheet Wine Regions - Australia’s famous wine regions 1 While Australia has about Clare Valley Most Coonawarra Cabernets Since those pioneering days, 60 wine regions, the The Clare Valley is considered will effortlessly cellar for at the Hunter’s wine industry has following ten are among to be among South Australia’s least 10 years, but that’s not flourished and now more than its most famous and most picturesque regions. It is the only variety the region is 80 wineries and cellar doors diverse. From the rugged also known as the home of famous for. Other award are open to tourist traffic en and isolated beauty of Australian Riesling and with winning varietals are Shiraz, route from Sydney. Margaret River in good reason – Clare’s Merlot and Chardonnay. Winemakers in the Hunter Western Australia, to consistency in making have found success with the historical home of Rieslings of exceptional Heathcote varieties such as Shiraz, Australian wine, the quality and style has won Rapidly raising the bar in terms Verdelho and Chardonnay, but Hunter Valley in New loyal consumers internationally. of elegance and complexity, no other region has developed South Wales, a journey particularly with Shiraz, such an affinity with Semillon. across Australia’s wine Clare is not only famous for Heathcote’s climate and soils regions is filled with a Riesling; it also produces of this Victorian region are Semillons from the Hunter diversity of climates, award-winning Cabernet strongly influenced by the Mt Valley have great capacity for soils, elevation and – Sauvignon and Shiraz that Camel Range which creates a graceful ageing, particularly in ultimately – wine styles. vary dramatically in style cooler weather pattern in the the years when the region throughout the region grape growing period from defies its sub-tropical climate Barossa Valley, depending on vineyard October to March resulting in and turns on summer weather South Australia location, soils and elevation. wines of finesse and longevity. to bring on lime and citrus Renowned for its Shiraz Settlers from England, Ireland flavours. More recently, Heathcote production, the Barossa Valley and Poland arrived in the winemakers have planted McLaren Vale is home to some of the region in the 1840s and Viognier, small proportions of country’s iconic wines. wasted no time planting vines. A battle over the title of which are blended with Shiraz Just one-hour north east of Today visitors to the region Australia’s best Shiraz maker is to provide an extra dimension Adelaide, the region consists can enjoy the popular Riesling fought each year between the to the flavour spectrum. of gentle rolling hills and Trail, a 27 km long sealed Barossa Valley and McLaren Heathcote Cabernet fertile valleys that combine track that links the many small Vale. Set among pastures and Sauvignon is another signature with South Australia’s towns along the valley. orchards and located to the style of the region. Italian Mediterranean climate to south of Adelaide, McLaren varieties Sangiovese and produce full-bodied red Coonawarra Vale’s rich soils and proximity Nebbiolo are also taking to wines and delicate whites. to the gulf waters of St Vincent The hidden treasure of the their new home and provide They include Cabernet provide the perfect ingredients Coonawarra wine region is its added treasures to the Sauvignon, Grenache, precious layer of limestone for intensely flavoured red region’s reputation. Mourvèdre and Merlot, beneath rich terra rossa soil. wines and powerful but while major whites include The two combine to produce well-balanced white. Aromatic white wine varieties Riesling, Semillon Cabernet Sauvignon grapes such as Riesling, Viognier and and Chardonnay. that are the envy of wine Pinot Grigio display the regions all over the world. The Barossa was originally underlining elegance and fine fruit structure that is settled by Silesian Lutheran Founded by Scottish settler characteristic of the region. farmers in the 1830s and there John Riddoch more than a are now more than 50 wineries 150 years ago, Coonawarra and cellar doors in the region, offers wines of intense and Hunter Valley ranging from small family classic fruit flavours that have The Hunter Valley is Australia’s enterprises to international won the hearts of consumers oldest wine region, with the companies. the world over. earliest vines planted in 1825. Wine Regions - Australia’s famous wine regions 2 There are now more than 50 Powerful Cabernet Sauvignon, white grape variety due to its wineries and cellar doors in with complex flavours and flexibility of style – from the region. McLaren Vale’s ageing potential, is a regional complex, oaked wines to leading reds are Shiraz, highlight. Chardonnay is the elegant restrained styles, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mudgee’s most popular and Chardonnay is often made Grenache and Merlot, while highly regarded white. using traditional winemaking whites include Chardonnay, techniques. Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling. Tasmania The history of viticulture in Other white wines produced in Margaret River Tasmania is quite recent when the Yarra include Gewürztraminer, Marsanne Margaret River has quietly built compared with the rest of and Sauvignon Blanc, which is a reputation for wines of Australia. While some planting often blended with Semillon. outstanding quality in the past occurred in the 19th century, it decade. While the region wasn’t until the 1970s that covers all the classic varietals, true winegrape planting began Margaret River winemakers with the establishment of have worked hard to develop Pipers Brook. a signature style of Cabernet Tasmania, known for its Sauvignons. spectacular beauty, now has more than 60 vineyards and The region has the added wineries, many of them just a tourism drawcards of few hectares in size. breathtaking coastal scenery and culinary delights to match Tasmania’s cool maritime its extensive range of wine climate produces elegant styles, including Shiraz, wines with excellent natural Verdelho and the wonderfully acid. Specialist varieties herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc. include Pinot Noir for sparkling and still wine, Chardonnay, Mudgee Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Nestled deep in the western Cabernet Sauvignon and slopes of New South Wales’ Cabernet Franc. Blue Mountains, Mudgee is another historical player in Yarra Valley Australia’s wine industry. Victoria’s oldest wine region, Commercial planting occurred the Yarra Valley is considered in the 1860s led by German one of the world’s finest cool immigrants, but the modern climate wine producers. era of grape production really Specialising in Pinot Noir and began in the 1970s. Chardonnay, the key varieties for sparkling wines, the Yarra A number of large national also impresses wine judges wine companies have set with its more subtle Shiraz and up shop in the region, Cabernet Sauvignon styles. complimenting the array of boutique wineries that offer a Chardonnay is the Yarra diverse range of wine styles. Valley's most widely planted.

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