WINE-ING OUR WAY AROUND THE WORLD

It’s January 2021, the world is still not a place we can travel, and wineries both here and abroad are not able to accommodate international travelers. In the interest of personal safety, we are going to wind our way around the wine globe via the aisles of the store here at Ed’s Fine Wines, from A to Z. Perhaps Z will be New Zealand? But today we begin in Australia.

If you step off the plane in South Australia in January, it’s like our July temperatures- heat and humidity around 90 degrees. Because the southern part of the country is nearly pointed directly at the sun, Australia has been noted as being the hottest place on earth! Much of your journey in the winter months (November through February) would be similar to our hot summers here in Tampa Bay. However, summers are like our winters, with average day time temperatures in the 70’s. There are lush palms and other tropical vegetation in certain areas, with wine regions growing vastly different varietals all over the bottom part of the world- Down Under. Chardonnay grows particularly well near the coast, with cooling ocean breezes, while cooler climate varietals like Riesling do well in the higher elevations. Syrah (Shiraz, or she roz as the natives call it) grows exceptionally well in Barossa. Soil types vary across the state, just as they do here in the United States. Remember, we grow wine grapes in every state of the union here in the US, so it should not come as a surprise that Australia is growing different varietals all over their country as well.

The wine world Down Under has over 150,000 acres planted to vine, with over 130 different varietals, Shiraz being most widely planted. In the late 1700’s cuttings were brought through the Cape of Good Hope to New South Wales, and by the early 1800’s Australia was producing and exporting wine. Around this time French and Spanish grape varieties were brought in and planted. Settlers from Europe began improving upon the quality of wine produced in Australia by the mid 1850’s, and had great initial success with the Syrah grape. Shiraz would become the number one selling red varietal from Down Under. The country has no known native grape, but the climate proves ideal for many different styles of wine varietals with irrigation and farming techniques. Eventually, Australia became famous for GSM- the blend consisting of three French varietals: Grenache, Syrah (Shiraz) and Mourvèdre. The most famous of which is Penfolds Grange. This blend has often been touted as a top wine in the world by wine publications and critics, and consistently garners high ratings and an even higher price point. Penfolds Winery dates to 1844 and played a pivotal role in the evolution of winemaking in Australia. Today, Penfolds, owned by Treasury Wine Estates, and considered their crown jewel, is still producing Penfolds wine, with vineyard estates all over South Australia. From table wines to the celebrated Grange, Penfolds has a portfolio rich in Australian farming and history. Penfolds Bin 389 is a fine blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, often referred to as “baby Grange” this wine receives the highest of accolades from wine critics the world over- elegant, smooth and supple with flavors of cedar, black tea and sandalwood. The raspberry and blood orange notes hit mid palate, with rich cocoa and Madagascar vanilla and licorice to finish. I give it three bones.

Another Australian winery famous for quality production is Yalumba. Founded by a British brewer in Barossa Valley. Yalumba was named for an indigenous Australian phrase, “all the land around” and is Australia’s oldest family run winery. Yalumba has consistently produced both great red blends – a GSM, as well as whites, including Viognier (another Rhone varietal that grows well in South Australia) and Chardonnay. Robert Hill-Smith, Yalumba’s fifth generation proprietor touts the winery as both Sustainable in Practice as well as using minimal intervention, from the vineyard to the cellar. The Y Series are table wines for every day drinking. The horse depicted on the label is a symbol of tradition- as horses were used for both transport and tractor. A great blend,the Y Series Shiraz Viognier (red and white grapes) shows luscious and exotic aromas of boysenberry and hints of white pepper and violet. The wine is full bodied and finishes with a lingering cherry finish. I give it three bones.

While Australia became somewhat infamous for the years they marketed their “Critter Wines”, at the time, this was what the world was demanding, low priced, high volume lower tier wines. It was a time when American White Zinfandel was a rage, and so were the wines with animals on their labels. Australia as a wine industry has grown from there, as America has, along with our palates. This country will one day again be available for us to explore as travelers, and their wine regions await us. For the time being, we have many award winning varietals and labels on our shelves for you to explore.