Australian Wine: Beyond Yellowtail
Yes, we've all been there: we have all committed the cardinal wine sin of yellow tail consumption. It's OK we've been there, too (hell, we've even had it straight from the magnum). But that's all behind you now, time to grab some grown up juice from the land of Oz. There's a little something for everyone here, from the driest of Riesligs to the most austere of Pinot Noirs to the spiciest of Rieslings and stickiest of dessert wines.
Grapes:
- Chardonnay: Although early producers did abuse this neutral variety with all methods of oak treatment, the best producers allow this grape and the soil content to shine. It also contributes to some beautiful sparkling wines in the cool south.
- Sauvignon Blanc: A more subdued almost subtle take on New Zealand's vibrant, sassy Savs
- Riesling: One would think that these would be sticky sweet, but in fact the Riesling's of the Clare and Eden Valleys bone dry with a piercing acidity and gorgeous lime-y zestiness. Grosset is one of our favorite producers.
- Pinot Noir: Tasmania produces some devilishly delicious, silky and subtle Pinots
- Cabernet Sauvignon: Shines in Coonawarra, Barossa and Margaret River, producing decidedly complex wines with superb mineral and minty components.
- Shiraz: Forget Yellow Tail, Barossa Shiraz is capable of being gloriously complex.
- Grenache: Acts as a stellar blending partner for it's fellow Rhone expat, Shiraz, and shines on its own in stellar sticky sweet wines.
- Muscat: In the Australian dessert wine world, Muscat is Grenache's serene blond sister, making fresh and vibrant sweet wines.
Regions:
- Maclaren Vale: A stellar region for a wide variety of grapes from Cabernet Sauvignon to Zinfandel.
- Barossa Valley: Where Shiraz reigns supreme - bold and brash!
- Hunter Valley: the warmest of Australia's wine regions makes killer Cabernet and sublime Semillons.
- Coonawarra: Cabernet Sauvignon shines thanks to the signature red soils.
- Tasmania: This cool southern island produces some fine Burgundian and Champenoise style wines: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir thrive here.
- Margaret River: this region breathes new life into Riesling and Bordelaise varieties.
- Clare Valley: Riesling, Cabernet and Shiraz
- Eden Valley: Riesling also rocks
- Adelaide Hills: Super micro-climates makes for super expressive wines.
Yes, we've all been there: we have all committed the cardinal wine sin of yellow tail consumption. It's OK we've been there, too (hell, we've even had it straight from the magnum). But that's all behind you now, time to grab some grown up juice from the land of Oz. There's a little something for everyone here, from the driest of Riesligs to the most austere of Pinot Noirs to the spiciest of Rieslings and stickiest of dessert wines.