Historically, Australian winemakers have rejected the French approach and followed their own path. In France, it is believed that the finest wines come from a certain climate and soil.
However, Australian wine producers feel that it’s all in the grape and the way they’re blended to achieve a consistent flavor. The varied climate makes Australia particularly suited for all types of wine production, such as reds, whites and sparkling wines.
The most popular styles to emerge from Australia are Riesling, Chardonnay, Semillon, Pinot Grigio, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and “Bourdeaux Blends,” which are Cabernet-Merlot mixes.
Penfolds Grange is the most famous brand of wine from an Australian producer. This brand has won more than 50 gold medals for its Shiraz. Other red Australian wine international award winners include Henschke Hill of Grace, Clarendon Hills Astralis, D’Arenberg Dead Arm, Torbreck Run Rig and St Henri.
Thanks to a number of wine promotions, Yellow Tail, with its signature kangaroo label, has been selling well at a reasonable $10/bottle price! If you’re just getting started on your Australian wine experience, then add the following bottles to your shopping list and give it a go, mate.
Try Jacob’s Creek Reserve Shiraz, Wyndham Estate Chardonnay, Penfolds Thomas Hyland Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 and Wolf Blass Yellow Label Cabernet Sauvignon.
Australian vineyard operators say that 2008 has been a particularly bad year for Australian wine industry. For starters, Southern Australia saw 15 consecutive days above 95° F during harvest season, at the height of harvest, causing fruit to shrivel on the vines and decrease in volume.
High sugar levels from over-ripened fruit tainted flavors. In the New South Wales Central Highland, cooler temperatures, record-breaking rainfall and flash floods decimated red grapes.
Roughly three-quarters of Cabernet Sauvignon production was cut down because the Murray River dried up in a drought. Despite the various setbacks, Aussie vineyards are remaining optimistic, believing that this year was just a fluke.
To read more Famous Australian Wine