Australian Wine – a short precis

Australian Wine – a short precis

1. Australian Wine

Australian wine refers to wine made from grapes grown in the country of Australia. Australia is well known for producing a wide variety of wines, including Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Riesling. Some of the most well-known wine regions in Australia include the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and the Hunter Valley. Australian wine now has a reputation for being high-quality and well-priced especially in areas like Margaret River in Western Australia. , and the industry has experienced significant growth in recent years. Originally in the UK Australian wine was seen as cheap supermarket wine, but this image has now changed and reflects the wide variety and great quality of Australian wine.

2. When did the Australia wine industry begin?

The Australian wine industry has a long and rich history that dates back to the late 18th century.

The first recorded vineyard in Australia was established in 1788 by the British colonizers, just a year after the First Fleet arrived in Sydney. The vineyard was established at Farm Cove, near Sydney, by Governor Arthur Phillip and was intended to provide wine for religious purposes and for the use of the colony’s officers. However, the vineyard did not prove successful due to the lack of appropriate grape varieties and the harsh climate.

It wasn’t until the 1800s that the first successful vineyards were established in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales by James Busby, a Scottish wine enthusiast and amateur viticulturist. Busby brought grapevines from Europe and South Africa, and his efforts laid the foundation for the development of the Australian wine industry.

Initially wine production was mainly for domestic consumption, however over time a large export market developed, and Australian wines became known all around the world. In the 1950s and 60s the Australian wine industry began to gain international recognition, with the help of the introduction of grape varieties such as Shiraz and Chardonnay, and new modern winemaking techniques. This led to a major expansion in the supply of wines, and growth on a worldwide basis.

The Australian wine industry has continued to grow and evolve, and today it is a major player in the global wine market, with a reputation for producing high-quality wines that are enjoyed around the world.

3. Which are the oldest wineries in Australia?

Some of the oldest wineries in Australia include:

• Mount Pleasant Wines: This winery, located in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales, was established in 1844 by Dr. Henry John Lindeman, making it one of the oldest continuously operating wineries in Australia.
• Yalumba: Located in the Barossa Valley region of South Australia, Yalumba was established in 1849 by Samuel Smith, an Englishman who planted the first vineyard in the region. Now a totally vegan and organic winery.
• Penfolds: This winery, which is located in the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia, was established in 1844 by Dr. Christopher Rawson Penfold, an English physician who planted a vineyard to produce wine for medicinal purposes.
• Tyrrell’s: This winery, located in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales, was established in 1858 by Edward Tyrrell, a Englishman who planted the first vineyard in the region.
• Seppeltsfield: This winery, located in the Barossa Valley region of South Australia, was established in 1851 by Joseph Ernst Seppelt, a German immigrant who planted the first vineyard in the region.
• Peter Lehmann Wines: This winery, located in the Barossa Valley region of South Australia, was established in 1979 by Peter Lehmann, a well-known Australian winemaker, but he used the oldest vineyards  to make his wines.

These are some examples of the oldest wineries in Australia, but there are many more that have a long history, and some of them have been passed down through generations of families that have kept the tradition alive. Click on the names to see the range of wines we stock from these great wineries.

4. Australia’s First Families of Wine

Australia’s First Families of Wine is a group of established wineries in Australia that have a long history of producing high-quality wines. The group includes wineries such as Penfolds, Jacob’s Creek, and Tyrrell’s, among others. These wineries have a reputation for producing some of the finest wines in Australia and have been recognized both locally and internationally for their quality and consistency. They are also known for their contributions to the Australian wine industry through their commitment to sustainable practices and support of emerging winemakers.

You can see more information on our previous blog posting, click here. Their specific website can be reached here.

5. What type of wines are produced in Australia?

Australia produces a wide variety of wines, including red, white, sweet, and sparkling wines. Some of the most popular types of wines made in Australia include:

• Shiraz: A full-bodied red wine with flavours of black pepper, dark fruit, and spices. It is grown in many regions of Australia but is particularly associated with the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale.
• Cabernet Sauvignon: A red wine with flavours of blackcurrant, cedar, and tobacco. It is grown in many regions of Australia, but the best examples come from the Coonawarra region in South Australia and Western Australia.
• Chardonnay: A dry white wine with flavours of apple, citrus, and oak. It is grown widely in many regions of Australia. It comes oaked or unoaked which are two entirely different styles and tastes.
• Riesling: This is a dry white wine with flavours of lime and minerals. Grown in many regions of Australia, it is particularly associated with the Clare Valley region in South Australia. This is often a premium wine.
• Pinot Noir: Red wine with flavours of red fruits, cherry and strawberry and floral notes. Lighter than most other reds. It is the Australian equivalent of Burgundy. Many regions of Australia are associated, with this grape/wine but is particularly linked with the cool climate regions such as the Mornington Peninsula, Tasmania and Yarra Valley in Victoria.
• Sauvignon Blanc: Flavours of grass, gooseberry, and tropical fruits abound in this dry white wine. Grown throughout Australia but it is particularly associated with the Adelaide Hills region in South Australia.
• Grenache: A red wine associated with the famous Chateauneuf du Pape. Not as full as some of the others, but with a great fruity taste.

The above are the most popular and well-known types, but Australia also produces many other varieties such as Semillon, Viognier, Tempranillo, Rousanne and many more. Australia is currently introducing new grape varietals from Europe at a very rapid pace in order to diversify and grow. Click here to see our full list.

By clicking on the grape varietals above you can see the extensive range of each variety of wine that we currently stock.

6. What are the main areas of wine production in Australia?

The main wine-producing regions in Australia are:

• South Australia: This state is home to the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and the Coonawarra regions, which are famous for their Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon wines.
• New South Wales: The Hunter Valley region in this state is best known for its Semillon and Chardonnay wines.
• Victoria: The Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula regions in this state produce great Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines.
• Western Australia: Margaret River and Great southern are the main wine growing areas in this region. The region is best known for Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. It is often compared to the Bordeaux region in France.
• Tasmania: best known for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sparkling white wines (champagne look alikes) from Coal River and Tamar Valley.

Click on each area to see the range of wines available on our website.

Australian wine is now a fixture in our psyche, it stands for quality and reliability. We stock over 400 different Australian wines on our website and have delivering throughout the UK for the last fifteen years