10 Mar Wine Styles of Australia
\Wine making is one of the oldest traditions in the world. The ancient Mesopotamians and Samarians as well as the Egyptians brewed it and relished their wines. Greek mythology makes mention of Dionysus who was a God of grape harvests, wine and winemaking.
Some Australian Wine Facts
The current day wine industry produces and sells outstanding premium quality wines that come from noted wine producing regions across the word such as France, Italy, Germany, United States, Canada and Australia. Each of these regions has some unique characteristics that make them stand out from the rest. The aspects that make the wine-producing regions in Australia distinctive are its humidity and temperature that are perfect for growing and harvesting premium quality wines.
These two aspects have made Australia one of the major wine producers and sellers in the world and it produces some noteworthy whites and reds. These wines are highly sought after even in large wine regions such as Canada and the Unites States. Here is some information about the different wines and wine styles of Australia:
Australian Reds
Reds are considered to be the simplest wine forms. Red grapes are available in a number of different varieties and each one has different levels of tannin. Most red wines in Australia have higher levels of tannin; some of the most famous reds include:
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Pinot Noir
- Grenache
- Shiraz
- Sangiovese
Of late, some new chic blends and reds such as Mourvedre, Zinfandel, Barbera and Tempranillo have been introduced into the Australian market.
Australian Whites
These are also an integral part of the booming wine industry in the country. It was in the 1970s that Australia made its mark in this space and the wines that were produced here started reaching a global audience. The fantastic Riesling and Chardonnay editions were hard to ignore and Australian wines made their mark on the international map. Some of the most fantastic whites that Australia produces are:
- Chardonnay
- Pinot Gris
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Riesling
- Semillon
- Colombard
- Verdelho
- Viognier
Fortified wines
These wines are also popularly known as ‘liquid sunshine’; this is because the grapes are typically left much longer on the vine and the berries have more natural sugar content when they start drying out a little during the warm autumn days. The wine fortification process works well for the Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvedre and in the relatively warm climate that Australia has almost right round the year.
Dessert Wines
These wines are also affectionately referred to as “stickies”. This adjective is attributed to their slightly sticky texture that lingers on the palate when you drink them. Dessert wines tend to have quite an intense flavour and are deep gold in colour. They have a sweet rich flavour with a sharp acidic finish. Since their flavour is so intense, they tend to be sold in half bottles. Not only are they served as a dessert accompaniment, but can be an interesting replacement for desserts as well. The flavours also complement the unique taste of soft and blue cheeses.
Sparkling Wine
This wine is available in various hues, sizes and shapes and the white variants could be fizzy, fun and fruity or typically classic in their texture and aroma. These high quality wines are largely produced in the Yarra Valley and in Tasmania, among other regions. You will find vintage sparkling and non-vintage sparkling wines, blanc de blancs, Blanc de Noirs, Rose and Shiraz.
For information about custom wine cellar design and installation, you can call Signature Cellars on 02 9340 7515 or use this contact form to get in touch with us. We’ll be pleased to assist you and provide custom solutions that match your requirements.
Thanks for reading,
Neil Smallman
Signature Cellars
1300 570 636
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