Think Shiraz is the be-all and end-all of Aussie wine? Guess again! While it’s true that Shiraz, originally known as Syrah, has been the poster child for Australian wines since the 19th century, catapulting Australia to global wine fame, there’s so much more to the story. Shiraz might reign supreme, starring in about 80% of all Aussie wineries and accounting for nearly half of the country’s grape cultivation, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. With approximately 60 out of Australia’s 65 wine regions growing Shiraz, it’s easy to see why it’s such a big deal, contributing to a quarter of Australia’s wine production.
But wait, if Shiraz makes up 25%, what about the other 75%? Surprisingly, Australia is home to over 100 other grape varieties that flourish across its diverse climates and terrains, creating a rich tapestry of wines that go well beyond Shiraz. If Shiraz is all you’ve tasted from Down Under, you’re missing out on a whopping 75% of the wine diversity that Australia has to offer.
We’re here to bridge that gap. Our journey today goes beyond the beloved Shiraz to spotlight the other grap+e varieties that are making a splash in the Australian wine scene. From the well-established to the up-and-coming, let’s explore the vast and vibrant world of Australian wines. Ready to dive into the other 75% and expand your Aussie wine horizons? Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
1. Cabernet Sauvignon
Perhaps the grape variety most renowned after Shiraz in Australian wines is Cabernet Sauvignon. Have you ever tasted a wine blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon? This unique blending, predominantly found in Australian wines, is more readily available than you might think, indicating the excellent compatibility between these two varieties.
However, in Australia, wines made solely from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes also reach remarkable standards. While in its homeland of France, it’s rare to find Cabernet Sauvignon used alone, in Australia’s warm climate, it can produce captivating wines even as a single varietal.
In fact, Cabernet Sauvignon is the second most widely planted grape variety in Australia, following Shiraz, and ranks third globally. It’s cultivated in 58 out of 65 wine regions. Cabernet Sauvignon grown in the Kalimna Block 42 in the Barossa Valley is reputed as the world’s oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard, with records dating back to 1888.
While Australia offers bold and robust styles of Cabernet Sauvignon akin to Shiraz, you can also find medium-bodied, delicate expressions. These nuanced and refined styles represent hidden treasures in Aussie wine. Notable regions for Cabernet Sauvignon include Coonawarra in South Australia and Margaret River in Western Australia. Additionally, excellent Cabernet Sauvignon wines are produced in cooler regions like the Yarra Valley or warmer climates such as McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek, and Barossa Valley.
Find out more information from wineaustralia.com
2. Pinot Noir
Famous for its finicky nature, Pinot Noir, often referred to as the tempestuous beauty, initially struggled to adapt to Australian soil. It wasn’t until the 1970s that this grape, sensitive to both climate and cultivation, found success in Australia’s cooler regions. The discovery of Pinot Noir clones suited to the Australian environment played a crucial role. As Australia’s wine production expanded into cooler southern regions, winemakers gained increasing knowledge about cultivating Pinot Noir. Consequently, Pinot Noir is now recognized as one of Australia’s most popular grape varieties.
The primary production regions for Pinot Noir are among the coolest areas in Australia. Remember Tasmania, the southernmost island state, Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Yarra Valley, and Adelaide Hills in South Australia. Pinot Noir, known for expressing terroir more distinctly than many other varieties, exhibits slight variations in character across these regions mentioned above. Therefore, for Pinot Noir enthusiasts, exploring Pinot Noir from various regions in Australia can be an intriguing experience.
Find out more information on Aussie pinot noir from wineaustralia.com
3. Granache
Australian Grenache? It might come as a bit of a surprise. In fact, Grenache has been a member of Australian wine history since its early days, but it hasn’t always received much attention. It was often used in fortified wines or grown for bulk production. However, things have changed now.
Winemakers and critics have discovered that this charming variety also thrives in the Australian climate, and consumers have started to take notice. Perhaps Grenache was always destined to do well in Australia. In Southern France, Grenache is frequently blended with Syrah and Mourvèdre, known as GSM blends, but considering Australia’s abundance of Shiraz, it makes sense. In Australia, Grenache often forms a wonderful harmony with Shiraz and Mourvèdre (also known as Mataro in Australia), giving birth to GSM blended wines.
Grenache is a grape that enjoys warm climates. Moreover, wines produced from older vines tend to have deeper flavors. In this regard, Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale in South Australia are considered prime regions for Grenache production. These warm grape-growing regions, boasting some of Australia’s oldest viticultural histories, still have plenty of old Grenache vines to be found. In fact, Barossa Valley is home to the world’s oldest Grenache vineyard, planted as far back as 1850, and its ancient vines continue to produce grapes to this day.
Find out more information from wineaustralia.com
4. Chardonnay
In Australia, the most widely planted red grape variety is Shiraz. So, which white grape variety dominates? That would be Chardonnay. In fact, Chardonnay ranks second in terms of total plantings in Australia, just after Shiraz (with Cabernet Sauvignon coming in third, as mentioned earlier). You’ll find this variety in 89% of Australia’s wine regions, and more than half of Australia’s white wine production is Chardonnay.
Chardonnay is a versatile grape, showing significant variations in wine depending on the climate, soil, and winemaking style of its growing region. Therefore, Australian Chardonnay comes in a wide range of styles, reflecting different regions and winemakers. There are light and crisp Chardonnays as well as those rich in oak and complex flavors.
Recently, there’s been a trend towards lighter, more refreshing styles of Chardonnay. You’ll find these styles produced in cooler climate regions such as Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Margaret River in Western Australia, Adelaide Hills in South Australia, and Tasmania. On the other hand, Hunter Valley in New South Wales, being a warmer region, traditionally produces fuller-bodied, oakier styles of Chardonnay. If you prefer this style of Chardonnay, remember to explore Chardonnays from the Hunter Valley.
5. Australian Wine: Riesling
While Chardonnay may be Australia’s flagship white grape variety, it’s hard to overlook Riesling as one of the hottest Australian white varieties in recent times. In fact, Australia produces a significant amount of Riesling. While it may not rival Germany, it produces a similar quantity to the United States and even surpasses France in production. Before the Chardonnay boom of the 1980s, Riesling was the most widely planted white grape variety in Australia.
While it took a back seat to Chardonnay for a while, the popularity of Australian Riesling is once again on the rise, thanks to the efforts of exceptional winemakers. Particularly, Australian Rieslings crafted to world-class dry styles have grown to represent the country’s wine on the global stage.
One of the most famous Riesling regions is Clare Valley in South Australia. Despite being relatively temperate, its cool evening temperatures and unique soil produce distinctive Riesling wines. Eden Valley, neighboring Barossa Valley, is also renowned for its excellent Riesling wines. Slightly cooler than Clare Valley, wines from Eden Valley often exhibit more pronounced mineral nuances.
Additionally, Tasmania, the coolest region, and Great Southern in southern Western Australia also produce exceptional Riesling. Most Australian Rieslings produced in recent years lean towards a dry style. However, in regions like Riverina, where conditions are favorable, very sweet Riesling dessert wines are also produced.
6. Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc
Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc are also white grape varieties that have been produced in Australia for a long time. Semillon, in particular, has thrived in the Australian climate and has long been favored by Australian winemakers. However, it hasn’t enjoyed high global recognition, but recently, winemakers experimenting with new techniques are producing very interesting Semillon wines.
Sauvignon Blanc gained popularity in the 1990s, and similarly, high-quality wines are being produced through innovative winemaking. Sauvignon Blanc, the signature grape of neighboring New Zealand, finds a natural home in Australia with similar soils and climates, ensuring high-quality Sauvignon Blanc production.
Additionally, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc blend exceptionally well together (a famous classic Bordeaux blend), and in Margaret River, renowned for Cabernet Sauvignon, this duo is also excellently cultivated. In fact, Semillon & Sauvignon Blanc blends represent a signature white wine style of Margaret River.
For Semillon, Hunter Valley in New South Wales stands out, boasting a long history and high-quality production. For Sauvignon Blanc, Adelaide Hills deserves attention, with its cool climate offering the delightful fruitiness and refreshing acidity characteristic of Sauvignon Blanc. As mentioned earlier, Margaret River is most famous for its Semillon & Sauvignon Blanc blends. Lastly, in Bordeaux, Semillon is used to produce top-tier sweet wines. In Australia, Riverina region offers very sweet Semillon dessert wines.
7. Sparkling Wine
Few countries rival Australia in the diversity of sparkling wine production. Here, you can find wines made using the traditional Champagne method, as well as the Charmat method. You’ll encounter everything from sweet Moscato with gentle bubbles to natural Pet-Nats, and even sparkling Shiraz. Sparkling wine has held its ground in the Australian wine industry since its early days, and with the recent popularity of wines from cooler regions, sparkling wines from these areas are also gaining favor.
Acidity is key to sparkling wine, as it stimulates the palate. Therefore, cool southern regions are the main production areas for Australian sparkling wines. Regions like Tasmania, Yarra Valley, and Adelaide Hills excel in this regard. These areas are well-suited for the grape varieties commonly used in sparkling wine production, such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and you’ll find a significant number of world-class sparkling wines produced from these grapes. Sparkling wine is such an important topic in Australian wine that it will be further explored in the upcoming installments of the “Explore Australian Wine Based on Your Taste” series.
8. Other Notable Varieties
As mentioned earlier, Australia boasts over 100 grape varieties grown across 65 detailed wine regions. Among these, several varieties thrive exceptionally well in Australia and produce intriguing wines. Let’s explore some of them:
- Vermentino: Known for its captivating aromas, Vermentino prefers warm climates. McLaren Vale is a notable region for Vermentino production, boasting a climate similar to its native Liguria in Italy.
- Grüner Veltliner: Representing Austria, Grüner Veltliner is successfully cultivated in Adelaide Hills. This region’s significant temperature fluctuations and suitable soils make it ideal for this variety.
- Italian Varieties: Given the significant Italian immigrant population in Australia, various Italian grape varieties can be found. Fiano from Campania is a hidden gem, with McLaren Vale being a prominent region for its cultivation. Sangiovese, representing Italy, is also grown in Australia, notably in regions like King Valley and McLaren Vale.
- Nebbiolo, a key grape of Piedmont, Italy, is successfully produced in Australia, with regions like King Valley, Mornington Peninsula, and Yarra Valley showcasing its quality. Nero d’Avola, hailing from the warm Sicilian island, finds success in Australian regions like Riverland and McLaren Vale.
- Other International Varieties: Australian wine enthusiasts can also explore Greek Assyrtiko, Spanish Tempranillo, and Portuguese Touriga Nacional. Wines made from these varieties offer unique and distinct characteristics, providing a different tasting experience.
If you have the chance to try Australian wines made from these varieties, seize the opportunity. You’ll discover their diverse and captivating appeal.
If you are interested in luxury Australian wines, check out my post, 15 Luxury Australian Wines, Collector’s Dream😀