Over the last three decades Australian winemakers conquered many of the world’s best wine markets with unbeatable quality and value. The best markets for Australian wines are the United Kingdom the U S A, Canada, the EU and increasingly China.
They call their regional wines “local heroes”.
Lauded by critics and admired by wine enthusiasts everywhere, Australia has risen from obscurity to the fourth largest exporter in the world.
Now, marketers have decided to push regionality to the forefront. Australia is a large enough to be a continent and has different regions and terroirs that are different to others, i.e South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia and Tasmania. Each has, within several sub-regions, topographical, climatic and soil differences, yielding wines of character and refinement, much like in Europe.
Presently, 62 sub-regions have been recognized, and no doubt more will be added in the future.
South Australia is famous for its Barossa Valley, which is home to the world’s oldest vines.
Shiraz is the megastar here with berry aromas and velvety textures. Grenache and mourvedre are also employed to make multi-layered wines.
McLaren vale, 35 km. south of Adelaide, is well known for its cabernet sauvignon and shiraz blends, Merlot also plays a role in the industry. Occasionally, a winemaker will produce a cabernet sauvignon, which resembles more to its European counterparts.
Coonawarra in the southeast corner of South Australia is known for its red soils (a.k.a Terra Rossa), producing intense wines backed with fruit.
Adelaide Hills enjoys a cool climate due to its proximity to the seas, where white grapes like chardonnay and sauvignon blanc thrive. Now viognier is also being planted.
Eden valley, east of the Barossa Valley, at a higher altitude, excels in Riesling.
Western Australia some 2000 km west of South Australia enjoys a Mediterranean climate, and Margaret River region is well known for its succulent chardonnays, cabernet sauvignons, sauvignon blancs.
Yarra Valley in Victoria, a 30 km. Drive from Melbourne, produces excellent pinot noir, chardonnay, with fine acidity and appealing fruit. Viognier, shiraz and merlot are also planted successfully.
Tasmania, discovered by Dutch captain Abel Tasman, is an up-and-coming cool climate reigon where pinot noir, chardonnay, and riesling thrive. Here all the three grape varieties, in the hands of caring and knowledgeable winemakers, result in extraordinary wines. More and more Tasmanian wines are being exported.
Recently, wine writers offered an opportunity to taste many regional wines that will be offered by the Vintage`s division of the L.C.B.O.
The following captured my imagination:

White wines

Reserve Chardonnay, 2004, Evans and Tate, Western Australia
Pale golden in colour, aromas of pear/apple, balanced and well extracted.
92/100
Available at L C B O’s on-line program
$ 29.95

Riesling, 2008, Skillogalee, Clare Valley, South Australia
From the Clare Valley, an excellent effort by this family winery. The wine is light, with typical petrol smells intermingling with exotic fruit. Excellent to sip or enjoy with poached or pan-fried trout.
92/100
Available at L C B O’s online programme
$ 19.00

Sauvignon Blanc, 2006, Shaw and Smith, Adelaide Hills, South Australia
Elegant, full-bodied, restrained gooseberry aromas, and a long aftertaste.
90/100
Vintages release October 24
$ 24.95

Devil`s Corner Riesling, 2008, Tamar Ridge Winery, Tasmania
Tasmania is the up and coming cool wine region of Australia. This wine is fragrant, light, elegant and appealing
91/100
October 24
$ 29.30

Chardonnay, 2007, Stonier
The Mornington Peninsula is one the southernmost wine growing regions of Australia. This excellent chardonnay displays superb intensity, elegance, power, balance and offers ample fruitiness.
91/100
October 28
$ 24.95

Red wines

Shiraz/Viognier, 2006, Kangarilla Road
Brilliant, dark red, stone fruit aromas, smooth, rich and powerful. Excellent value.
91/100
$ 24.95

Old Vines Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvedre, 2006, Torbreck, Barossa valley, South Australia
Blended exclusively for the L C B O’s Vintages division this is an extremely successful effort with concentrated flavours of spice, fruit, and full-bodied. Higly recommended with hearty foods.
90/100
$ 20.95

Bella’s Garden Shiraz, 2007, Two Hands, Barossa Valley, South Australia
Ripe, fleshy and generous wine with pronounced cherry, pomegranate flavours. Excellent mouth feel, and smooth finish.
91/100
$ 63.95

The Holly Trinity GSM, 2004, G.Burge, Barossa Valley, South Australia
G.Burge is one the best Barossa wineries. This effort composed of grenache, shiraz, and mourvedre is balanced, powerful, and smooth with an excellent mouth feel and long aftertaste.
92/100
Available now at Vintages
$ 29.95

Kayena Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2007, Tamar Ridge Winery, Tasmania
From Tasmania’s oldest pinot noir vineyard, this effort proves how delicate and elegant this grape can be even on Australian terroir.
Aromas of strawberries abound. The mouth feel is perceptible but not heavy. Long aftertaste.
91/100
Available October 24 $ 28.90

Shotfire Shiraz, 2008, Thorn Clarke
Dark, powerful, fruity, well extracted and balanced. Superb value. Can be enjoyed now or cellared for two to four years for extra smoothness and evolution.
91/100
Available October 24
$ 24.95

Uncut Shiraz, 2007, Gemteree Vineyards
Many of Australian shiraz wines are blended with a little viognier or other grape varieties. This is pure shiraz offers explosive fruit, full body, and excellent mouth feel.
91/100
Available October 24
$ 24.95

Founder’s Reserve Shiraz Cuvee de Maitre, 2005, Wyndham Estate
This, and another bottle (shiraz/tempranillo) evaluated next, is a package no wine lover should miss.
The shiraz is typical South Australia with gobs of fruit, powerful, high-octane, and flavorful. The finish is long. Created by the cellar master in honour of the founder of the winery.
90/100

Shiraz/Tempranillo, 2005) ditto winery
Superbly balanced, full-bodied, deeply flavored and easy to enjoy with beef stews, roasted beef, and game dishes.
91/100
Available November 1
$ 39.95 for the package

Vision Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008, Nugan Estates,
Dark red, aromas of berries, tobacco, and roasted coffee beans waft out of the
glass. An excellent effort at a very reasonable price.
90/100
Available January 10, 2010
$ 14.95

Jester Shiraz, 2007, Mitolo (Vintages essential always available)
Created by B. Glatzer (celebrated, young and talented winemaker) this shiraz has everything (extract, full-body, flavour, length and fruit)) a Barossa Valley shiraz should offer.
91/100
$ 19.95

Mawsons’ Wrattonbully Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006, Yalumba
From South Australia’s Wrattonbully region, this cabernet sauvignon offers fruitiness, full-body, smoothness, high extract and balance.
91/100
Available November 21
$ 19.95

Bishop Shiraz, 2007,
The grapes for this wine come from Ebenezer, a village famous for its peppery shiraz. It is elegant, powerful, well extracted, peppery and balanced wine, that is bound to tantalize your palate.
91/100
$ 29.95

Director’s Cut Shiraz, 2007, Heartland
From low-yielding vines (four tons per hectare), this flagship of Heartland Wines is created from the finest selection of shiraz grapes each season. Cassis and rich mocha flavours are followed by spices and licorice. Perfectly balanced and powerful. B.Glaetzer who is the winemaker here and at his own small quality-oriented winery Ben Glaetzer created it.
92/100
Available October 24
$ 31.95

Wallace Shiraz/Grenache, 2007, B.Glatezer
Wallace is a blend of 70 per cent shiraz and 30 grenache from the northern Barossa Valley village Ebenezer. Offers berry flavours and spice, fleshy richness, full-body, elegance and a lingering aftertaste.
An excellent effort by a talented winemaker.
91/100
October 24
$ 24.95

Anaparenna Shiraz. Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, B. Glaetzer
This is a seamless fusion of shiraz and cabernet sauvignon. An intriguing nose of chocolate, crushed herbs, cedar, blackberries and toastiness lead to an unforgettable flavour and mouth feel.
The fresh and lively flavour of this superbly structured wine will last for a long time after you swallow it.
93/100
November 21
$ 59.95

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007, Ringbolt, Margaret River, Western Australia

Cassis and cedar and violet aromas dominate the bouquet. Superbly balanced, intense and very attractive. Excellent value.
92/100
$ 19.95

Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007, Vasse Felix, Western Australia
Displays impressive fruit, finesse and depth of flavour. The wine is powerful and balanced offering a superb value.
$ 29.95

NOTE: New South Wales was not mentioned in this article as no wine is being offered in this release. This region north of Sydney makes fine wines in a different style than South Australia.

Never miss a post! subscribe via RSS or subscribe via e-mail.   Post writer – Hrayr Berberoglu – E-mail – Read his books?

Most wine enthusiasts think that Australia’s total output originates from warm or hot climate regions. In reality the continent has many cool climate wine producing regions, located between 35 – 41 latitude south, close to the south pole, and which vint acid-driven, refreshing and light wines.
In addition to latitude, altitude also plays an important role in the acidity, texture, and flavor of the wine.
Believe it or not, there are Australian grape growers and estates who worry about snow, cold weather, dormant vines, frost in the spring, and excessive humidity.
In these regions sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, chardonnay, riesling and even shiraz, in the hands of caring winemakers yield completely Old World style varietal wines that are not only delicious but also reasonably priced.
Tasmania, located approximately on 40 latitude south happens to enjoy a cool climate where pinot noir, riesling, chardonnay, and even sauvignon blanc result in delightfully fragrant still and sparkling wines. The pinot noir wines are closer in both colour and aromas to their New Zealand counterparts.
Yarra Valley, a 30-minute drive from Melbourne, has gained an excellent reputation amongst connoisseurs for its fine and delicate pinot noirs and chardonnays.
Geelong, west of Melbourne, and Macedon Ranges north of it, are well known for their light and aromatic wines.
Adelaide Hills in South Australia has been producing super cool climate wines for a few decades now.
The Barossa Valley north of Adelaide is well known for its hot climate, but McLaren Vale, and Eden Valley just north of the world-famous valley enjoy a cool enough climate, due to their altitude, to produce riesling that can compete favourably with those from Alsace and Germany.
Orange and Cowra, both south and southwest of Sydney, are also known for their cool climates due their.
Recently wine writers had an opportunity to taste fien cool climate and warm region Australian wines, which will be released by Vintages division of the L C B O in the coming months. Some are already released.
The following wines are highly recommended:

Reserve Chardonnay, 2004, Evans and Tate, Western Australia
Pale golden in colour, aromas of pear/apple, balanced and well extracted.
92/100
Available at L C B O’s on-line program
$ 29.95

Riesling, 2008, Skillogalee, Clare Valley, South Australia
From the Clare Valley, an excellent effort by this family winery. The wine is light, with typical petrol smells intermingling with exotic fruit. Excellent to sip or enjoy with poached or pan-fried trout.
92/100
Available at L C B O’s online programme
$ 19.00

Sauvignon Blanc, 2006, Shaw and Smith
Elegant, full-bodied, restrained gooseberry aromas, and a long aftertaste.
90/100
Vintages release October 24
$ 24.95

Devil`s Corner Riesling, 2008, Tamar Ridge Winery, Tasmania
Tasmania is the up and coming cool wine region of Australia. This wine is fragrant, light, elegant and appealing
91/100
October 24
$ 29.30

Chardonnay, 2007, Stonier
The Mornington Peninsula is one the southernmost wine growing regions of Australia. This excellent chardonnay displays superb intensity, elegance, power, balance and offers ample fruitiness.
91/100
October 28
$ 24.95

Shiraz/Viognier, 2006, Kangarilla Road
Brilliant, dark red, stone fruit aromas, smooth, rich and powerful. Excellent value.
91/100
$ 24.95

The Holly Trinity GSM, 2004, G.Burge, Barossa Valley, South Australia
G.Burge is one the best Barossa wineries. This effort composed of grenache, shiraz, and mourvedre is balanced, powerful, and smooth with an excellent mouth feel and long aftertaste.
92/100
Available now at Vintages
$ 29.95

Kayena Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2007, Tamar Ridge Winery, Tasmania
From Tasmania’s oldest pinot noir vineyard, this effort proves how delicate and elegant this grape can be even on Australian terroir.
Aromas of strawberries abound. The mouth feel is perceptible but not heavy. Long aftertaste.
91/100
Available October 24 $ 28.90

Shotfire Shiraz, 2008, Thorn Clarke
Dark, powerful, fruity, well extracted and balanced. Superb value. Can be enjoyed now or cellared for two to four years for extra smoothness and evolution.
91/100
Available October 24
$ 24.95

Uncut Shiraz, 2007, Gemteree Vineyards
Many of Australian shiraz wines are blended with a little viognier or other grape varieties. This is pure shiraz offers explosive fruit, full body, and excellent mouth feel.
91/100
Available October 24
$ 24.95

Founder’s Reserve Shiraz Cuvee de Maitre, 2005, Wyndham Estate
This, and another bottle (shiraz/tempranillo) evaluated next, is a package no wine lover should miss.
The shiraz is typical South Australia with gobs of fruit, powerful, high-octane, and flavorful. The finish is long. Created by the cellar master in honour of the founder of the winery.
90/100

Shiraz/Tempranillo, 2005) ditto winery
Superbly balanced, full-bodied, deeply flavored and easy to enjoy with beef stews, roasted beef, and game dishes.
91/100
Available November 1
$ 39.95 for the package

Vision Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008, Nugan Estates,
Dark red, aromas of berries, tobacco, and roasted coffee beans waft out of the
glass. An excellent effort at a very reasonable price.
90/100
Available January 10, 2010
$ 14.95

Jester Shiraz, 2007, Mitolo (Vintages essential always available)
Created by B. Glatzer (celebrated, young and talented winemaker) this shiraz has everything (extract, full-body, flavour, length and fruit)) a Barossa Valley shiraz should offer.
91/100
$ 19.95

Mawsons’ Wrattonbully Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006, Yalumba
From South Australia’s Wrattonbully region, this cabernet sauvignon offers fruitiness, full-body, smoothness, high extract and balance.
91/100
Available November 21
$ 19.95

Bishop Shiraz, 2007,
The grapes for this wine come from Ebenezer, a village famous for its peppery shiraz. It is elegant, powerful, well extracted, peppery and balanced wine, that is bound to tantalize your palate.
91/100
$ 29.95

Director’s Cut Shiraz, 2007, Heartland
From low-yielding vines (four tons per hectare), this flagship of Heartland Wines is created from the finest selection of shiraz grapes each season. Cassis and rich mocha flavours are followed by spices and licorice. Perfectly balanced and powerful. B.Glaetzer who is the winemaker here and at his own small quality-oriented winery Ben Glaetzer created it.
92/100
Available October 24
$ 31.95

Wallace Shiraz/Grenache, 2007, B.Glatezer
Wallace is a blend of 70 per cent shiraz and 30 grenache from the northern Barossa Valley village Ebenezer. Offers berry flavours and spice, fleshy richness, full-body, elegance and a lingering aftertaste.
An excellent effort by a talented winemaker.
91/100
October 24
$ 24.95

Anaparenna Shiraz. Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, B. Glaetzer
This is a seamless fusion of shiraz and cabernet sauvignon. An intriguing nose of chocolate, crushed herbs, cedar, blackberries and toastiness lead to an unforgettable flavour and mouth feel.
The fresh and lively flavour of this superbly structured wine will last for a long time after you swallow it.
93/100
November 21
$ 59.95

Never miss a post! subscribe via RSS or subscribe via e-mail.   Post writer – Hrayr Berberoglu – E-mail – Read his books?

Most people think of shiraz and/or chardonnay when they talk about Australia, yet this huge country with many climates produces a significant amount olive oil.

This industry is relatively young compared to Mediterranean countries, but growers have made good use of up-to-date research conducted by European scientists and selected the most suitable lands and climates to plant their olive groves.

Moore River Region, Margaret River and Great Southern Region in Western Australia, the Fleurie Peninsula in South Australia, North, Central, and Western Victoria, northern slopes of New South Wales, Hunter Valley and the Murray Irrigation Area and South eastern Queensland are the most densely planted. Tasmania also has some groves.

The preferred varieties are – frantoio, correggiolo and lecino, all of which are of Italian origin.

Many producers use olive harvesting machines, but a few prefer the more gentle hand picking.

Olives are pressed within 24 hours of harvest to ensure freshness of the end product.
Extra virgin, virgin, regular, and pomace oils are produced.

Inj view of the fact that Australia has no olive oil tradition, many manufacturers produce and market flavoured olive oils i.e chile, herbs, spices, saffron just to name a few.

Although Australia imports olive oil, it also exports to the U S A, China, New Zealand, even to Italy and Spain.

Australian olive oil is more expensive than Mediterranean products mainly because olive oil groves are much smaller and the government does not have financial support programmes unlike European jurisdictions.

Australian olive oils taste slightly less vacuous than those from Mediterranean countries, but from a flavour perspective can stand their own ground against any on the world.

Canada does import Australian olive oil but so far marketing efforts have been very sporadic and inconsequential.

If and when you visit Australia taste and see for yourself. You may even bring back a few bottles and hope more companies will import them and at prices the average consumer can afford.

Kailis Organic Olive Oil Groves and HJOI export to Canada but are not widely distributed.

Never miss a post! subscribe via RSS or subscribe via e-mail.   Post writer – Hrayr Berberoglu – E-mail – Read his books?

In Australia, the Aboriginals share a unique tradition called going “walkabout”, meaning a return to the bush for spiritual replenishment.
When you “walkabout” Australia, you discover modern, vibrant cities in beautiful settings, abundant and unique wildlife in the countryside, world-class restaurants offering superb food, outstanding wines, and above all you meet friendly people.

Canadian are lucky, As of June 1 2009, Emirates Airlines, one of the best airlines in the world, will be flying to Dubai (non-stop) with a convenient connection At the ultramodern international Dubai airport to several Australian cities. The airline is known for its unsurpassed service, quality of food and wines, and its comfort of seats.

Australia was discovered by Dutch captains at the beginning of the 17th century but was not settled. It was Captain Cook, who in 1770, landed in what is today Sydney, and the first settlers arrived in 1788. When the English arrived in the area, aboriginals were already living there for more than 40 000 years.

Sydney is the largest and most cosmopolitan Australian city in a sublime setting, with glamorous beaches and an appetite for the fine things in life, with a population well over 4.4 million.

The city has many sites of interest including the Sydney Opera House, Lord Howe Island, Mango National, Gondwana Rain Forests, and the Greater Blue Mountains.

Several tour companies offer a range of sightseeing excursions.
While in Sydney, rent a car (they drive left “Downunder”) and drive for a day or two to the Hunter Valley to taste some serious wines.

Back in Sydney you book a spectacular luxury train ride (Southern Spirit) to travel in luxury to Melbourne, Adelaide, Alice Springs and end up at Uluru the sacred “mountain” of aboriginals.

Melbourne is Victoria’s largest city and noted for its shopping, nightlife, food festivals, musical extravaganzas, and exhibitions.
More than 3000 restaurants offer food of 75 ethnic cuisines.
This modern city, located on the banks of the Yarra River offers good public transportation.

The world famous Yarra Valey is “heaven” for wine buffs who like fine chardonnays and pinot noirs. Several wineries offer tastings and operate restaurants. It is a30 – 40-minute ride from Melbourne.

Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, has population of 1.2 million, and was founded in 1836 as a planned city. The climate is Mediterranean and the city is vibrant with many industries.

The Barossa Valley, originally settled by Silesian Germans is close by, as are Eden Vale, Adelaide Hills and Coonawara, all well known for their outstanding wines.
From Adelaide the train travels to Alice Springs and Uluru (The Ayers Rock) which is a World heritage Site, and sacred to aboriginals who incorporate it into their rich cultural heritage, art, dance and song. You can even camel ride in the area or seek to meet colourful outback characters.

From Alice Springs, you may want fly to Darwin, capital of Northern Territory with a population of 121 000, of which 10 per cent are aboriginals. This small city offers spectacular, unpolluted beaches, a lot of parks and garden, entertainment, and art centres. Main industries of Darwin are mining and tourism.

The Great Barrier Reef in Queensland is a World heritage Site, and world’s largest, offering unsurpassed opportunities to scuba divers and snorklers.
Canberra, the capital of Australia, some 300 Km. From Sydney is a planned city built around an artificial lake. For those interested in modern architecture, a visit is highly recommended.

Back in Adelaide travellers can decide to embark on another luxury train (The Ghan) and ride all the way to Perth a city of 1.6 million souls, and trade centre with several banks.

The city enjoys a Mediterranean climate and provides opportunities to visit several wineries located south. Some of the most intriguing wines of Australia originate in Western Australia, the country’s largest state.

Back in Adelaide, a short flight will take you to Hobart in Tasmania. The city as originally a penal colony, but today is thriving city with 200 000 with a huge harbour catering to needs of researchers in Antarctica.
Australia is the sixth largest country in the world. It is located on a huge island and is sparsely populated.

Travelling in Australia requires flying, long-distance driving in the east, or using trains.
Australians are friendly, fun-loving who love life outdoors, bbq, wine and everything worth dong to enjoy life.
Why don’t you join them at least for a few weeks, may be even longer to see and experience this incredibly beautiful land?

Guest Writer – Hrayr Berberoglu E-mail or interested in his books?.

Ainsworth and Snelson Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2003.

The taste is tight and elegant with taste of blackberry. It has a well balanced finish with taste of oak and spices. This is one of the best wines from Australia we have tasted. It separates itself from the frequently standard Australian taste.

This wine comes from a new company in Australia and it is clear that they are trying to make a little different wine than the standard Australian kind.

Have you tasted this or another wine, you are welcome to add a dice/review in our wine guide
Winesworld.

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De Bortoli Shiraz 2007.

This wine has a strong red berries taste of raspberry and cherry with medium-body. The wine is typical young and fresh, but is has a smooth taste and that is a plus. It is an OK everyday wine.

Have you tasted this or another wine, you are welcome to add a dice/review in our wine guide
Winesworld.

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Prince Hill Wines Card Collection Shiraz Tempranillo 2007.

With a picture of a rooster on the bottle we did think that chicken would be a great thing….not….well we had chicken with curry so it did alright. the wine is young and powerful with taste of red berries and oak. It reminds us of Rioja wines and it was OK for a meal on a Wednesday evening.

Have you tasted this or another wine, you are welcome to add a dice/review in our wine guide
Winesworld.

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In the series Sweden & Red wine we come across: Viking Wines.

Here lives Thord Söderström former submarine-constucter, with his own wineyard, which he bought in 1993. He renamed the wineyard to Viking Wines. Some of the wines are available in Sweden at: Systembolaget

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Henley Park Winery in Australia are owned by Lisbeth & Claus Petersen from Denmark. Claus bought the place in 1986 and he has developed the place further.

Winemaking: Lisbet`s and Claus goal is to produce high quality premium wines. They believe in a “hands on” approach where they are carrying out all aspects of the production, right from vineyard management and winemaking to bottling and packaging of the finished wine.

Link to: Henley Park Winery