An Australian wine? We can just picture you smiling! Think again—the land of kangaroos and beer has established itself in recent years as a reliable choice in the wine world and has even become one of the world’s leading exporters… Let us explain!
Over the past 15 years, the wave of European immigration and the entrepreneurial spirit of its winemakers have enabled Australia to achieve a level of production that has made it one of the most important players in the global wine market. In this vast country (14 times the size of France), there is a wide variety of wines to offer.
Historically,Australia’s first vineyards were established in New South Walesin the 1780s before spreading to the states of Victoria and South Australia. Today, these three regions account for the bulk of production, but new frontier regions have emerged in recent decades, includingWestern Australia and the island of Tasmania, which produce wines of the highest quality. The current trend is to explore cooler regions within this vast country, whose climate offers significant variations.
To avoid getting lost, it’s important to keep in mind the five major wine regions:
•South Australia: Undoubtedly the country’s best-known region. Its vineyards are world-renowned.
•Victoria: The region is known for its sweet wines, including Muscat, Muscadelle, and the renowned Sémillon. It also produces red wines made from Pinot Noir in the Yarra Valley.
•New South Wales: The Hunter Valley is known for its Semillon, but its Syrah and Chardonnay are also highly regarded and popular.
•South Western: South of Perth, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon have made their home. In Coonawarra, a region with such unique soil, you’ll find excellent sweet wines, such as those made from Riesling. The limestone soil gives rise to a reddish earth known as “Terra Rossa.” In Margaret River, you’ll find excellent white wines.
•Tasmania is no exception: Tasmania offers a wide variety of wines. The white grape varieties include Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and a small amount of Gewürztraminer. The red grape varieties are primarily Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Shiraz. The Tamar Valley has its own loyal following.
In recent years, Australia has established itself as a reliable choice in the wine industry and has even become one of the world’s leading exporters.
During this trip, we’ll introduce you to producers from these two regions, who will share their expertise with you through tastings. This tour is designed for wine connoisseurs, but we’ll also take you to some of Australia’s must-see tourist attractions, including the Great Ocean Road, Kangaroo Island, and Sydney…
This 14-day getaway is the perfect addition to a customized trip to Australia; the wine regions we’ll be exploring are located in the Melbourne area and just a few hours from Sydney. It’s a wonderful way to broaden your horizons with new flavors and explore Australia’s wine heritage.
Sémillon is a white grape variety native to the Gironde region, used in the production of the great wines of Sauternes and Graves, characterized by fruity and floral aromas. Internationally, Sémillon is grown in Australia (Hunter Valley) as well as in Argentina, Chile, and California.
When young, this grape variety offers aromas of hazelnut and peach, with notes of beeswax and acacia flowers. As it ages, it develops aromas of dried fruit, honey, mango, and candied apricot. Thanks to these qualities, Sémillon complements Sauvignon Blanc, adding roundness on the palate.
