Australian Wine

[MaiSonJai]

There are quite a few Australian participating in this forum, what wine do you like from your country?

I know you do not really know what a good wine is (French saying... ) but your opinion will anyway be most welcome...

[Nat]

The untrained eye (or tongue) would automatically say any wine from the “Barossa Valley” but some of the best wines to tantalise my palate have been from Yering Station (Yarra Valley – one of Victoria’s oldest vineyards) – perhaps I’m biased as the owners are very good family friends but can’t help enjoying their wines (which we have an ample supply of back home ).

[MaiSonJai]

The untrained eye (or tongue) would automatically say any wine from the “Barossa Valley” but some of the best wines to tantalise my palate have been from Yering Station (Yarra Valley – one of Victoria’s oldest vineyards) – perhaps I’m biased as the owners are very good family friends but can’t help enjoying their wines (which we have an ample supply of back home ).

Nat, are you Australian?

Not a critic...

[Nat]

The untrained eye (or tongue) would automatically say any wine from the “Barossa Valley” but some of the best wines to tantalise my palate have been from Yering Station (Yarra Valley – one of Victoria’s oldest vineyards) – perhaps I’m biased as the owners are very good family friends but can’t help enjoying their wines (which we have an ample supply of back home   ).

Nat, are you Australian?

Not a critic...

Hee...hee I’m a mongrel – born and bread (to an extent) in oz but with eastern european roots (the imagination can run wild with that one) . However I do own my own vineyard (but the wine is crap )

[MaiSonJai]

Hee...hee I’m a mongrel – born and bread (to an extent) in oz but with eastern european  roots (the imagination can run wild with that one) . However I do own my own vineyard (but the wine is crap )

Patience, Nat, patience.

Making good wine takes time and a lot of work...

[donna]

I'm partial to a Preece Merlot myself. Very nice indeed. Wish I could find it over here.

I avoid French wine after the attoll incident....

[RDN]

"Oxford Landing" Shiraz - aroy maaaaaak maak!

(Someone please tell me where I can buy it in Phuket )

[Kringle]

Just go to the Australian Embassy as they have wine tastings on a pretty regular basis and could I'm sure tell you of outlets. I just love the ports that I've had from there.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

"Oxford Landing" Shiraz - aroy maaaaaak maak!

(Someone please tell me where I can buy it in Phuket )

Go back and visit Oz again RDN ...that is a cheapie in Australia.

[fatter than harry]

"Oxford Landing" Shiraz - aroy maaaaaak maak!

(Someone please tell me where I can buy it in Phuket )

You've tried the Wine Connection on the other Choafa road to your house?

[The Gentleman Scamp]

Robert's Rock is nice.

[RDN]

"Oxford Landing" Shiraz - aroy maaaaaak maak! 

(Someone please tell me where I can buy it in Phuket )

Go back and visit Oz again RDN ...that is a cheapie in Australia.

It's also cheaper in England than in Bangkok

[RDN]

"Oxford Landing" Shiraz - aroy maaaaaak maak! 

(Someone please tell me where I can buy it in Phuket )

You've tried the Wine Connection on the other Choafa road to your house?

Doh!

[MaiSonJai]

So any other wine recommendations when I'm in Australia, not in Chao Fa road...

[RDN]

....I know you do not really know what a good wine is (French saying... ) .....

Just go for any Shiraz or Cabernet, I think they are all good. But "Oxford Landing" is my favourite. Screw the French - their days are over

And thanks for the pointer, FTH (Oh shiney new mod.!)

[dr_Pat_Pong]

So any other wine recommendations when I'm in Australia, not in Chao Fa road...

Try 'em all The Penfold's bins are very good.

[Nat]

Hee...hee I’m a mongrel – born and bread (to an extent) in oz but with eastern european  roots (the imagination can run wild with that one) . However I do own my own vineyard (but the wine is crap )

Patience, Nat, patience.

Making good wine takes time and a lot of work...

Patience is a virtue....and I lost mine a long time ago.

The vineyard has been in our family for generations, so doubt it’ll get any better

[MaiSonJai]

The vineyard has been in our family for generations, so doubt it’ll get any better

Well, old vineyard can only make good wine.

But this is what they say.

Let's make it more scientific.

Can you send me a few bottles?

[chonabot]

Penfold's Grange , pricey , but the best I have tasted , and I have tasted many , many ,many....

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Penfold's Grange , pricey , but the best I have tasted , and I have tasted many , many ,many....

Go for a Penfold's Bin 389. Much, much cheaper and some similarities ( from the same vineyard ) Sometimes called the poor mans Grange.

[chonabot]

Doc , do you rate the Brown Brothers wines?

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Doc , do you rate the Brown Brothers wines?

They are well regarded and come out of Victoria. I prefer Hunter and South Australian wines Chon. There's no such thing as a bad wine, some are better than others

[Nat]

Brown Brothers wines?

Yummy Being a woman I’d have to go for the Spatlese Lexia – a bit sweet but makes a great aperitif.

[MaiSonJai]

Thanks everybody.

Any wine from the West Coast (Perth area)?

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Thanks everybody.

Any wine from the West Coast (Perth area)?

Margaret River is the famous West Australia wine region.

[MaiSonJai]

So any other wine recommendations when I'm in Australia, not in Chao Fa road...

Try 'em all

I'll do my best

If this thread is running long enough, I'll give you my comments after each trip...

[dr_Pat_Pong]

So any other wine recommendations when I'm in Australia, not in Chao Fa road...

Try 'em all

I'll do my best

If this thread is running long enough, I'll give you my comments after each trip...

If I am there when you are ... I'll help you.

[bmw]

The last decade has been boom-time for the export-driven Australian wine market. Australia produces approachable, full-flavoured and good value wines that have taken the UK market by storm. One of the keys to this success has been Australia's ability to produce reliable, fruity, full flavoured wines in industrial quantities, while at the same time small producers concentrating on quality have made world class wines exhibiting true regional character. Of the red grapes, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon hold pole position, and of the whites, Chardonnay, Semillon and Riesling all do well. Leading quality regions include the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale in South Australia, Margaret River and Mount Barker in Western Australia, the Yarra Valley and Rutherglen in Victoria, and the Hunter Valley and Mudgee in New South Wales. Although prices have been creeping up over the last few years, Australian wines are still hard to beat for value in the £5-£10 range.

Adelaide Hills

Merging into the eastern side of the Barossa Valley in South Australia, this is a trendy, 'cool climate' wine region responsible for classy whites and reds from the likes of Shaw and Smith, and Henschke. The Eden Valley adjoins at the southern end.

Barossa

The Barossa Valley is at the heart of the Australian wine industry. Many of the big companies have their bases here, even though they may source most of their grapes from elsewhere. It's a historic wine region, originally founded by German settlers in the mid 19th century (and the main towns of Tanunda and Nooriotpa still have a bit of a German feel to them). With its relatively hot climate Barossa's speciality is deep, thick, ripe red wines made from old vine, dry grown Shiraz and Grenache vines.

Clare Valley

One of South Australia's leading 'cool-climate' wine regions. The varied growing conditions allow it to produce some of Australia's finest Rieslings (try Mitchell's, Tim Gramps and Mount Horrocks), while at the same time it also knocks out some stonking, huge reds (try Jim Barry's Armagh for size).

Coonawarra

It may be one of Australia's most famous red wine regions, but it's not much to look at: Coonawarra is a flat, sparsely-populated region in the middle of the South Australia plains. However, it has a rather special red/brown 'terra rossa' soil, which coupled with the relatively cool climate, fashions some classy, ageworthy Cabernet Sauvignons that rank among Australia's best.

Eden Valley

Next door to the Barossa Valley in South Australia, at the southern tip of the Adelaide Hills, the Eden Valley is slightly cooler than its famous neighbour, and is well known for its intensely flavoured white wines, especially Rieslings.

Geelong Windy

A decidedly cool-climate wine region down by the sea, south-east of Melbourne. The most well known producer here is Bannockburn. Back in the 1860s this was the leading wine region in Victoria, with vineyard expansion prompted by the gold rush: mining is thirsty work! This was also the entry point of phylloxera into Australia.

Great Western

Historical, high-altitude wine region in Victoria, best known for its sparkling wines and peppery, restrained Shiraz.

Hunter Valley

Probably Australia's most famous wine region, the Hunter Valley in New South Wales is ill-suited for producing quality wines: it is too hot and humid, and the autumn rains almost always disrupt the harvest. It's only real advantage is that it is just a couple of hour's drive from Sydney, so there's a ready market of wine tourists right on its doorstep. Despite these drawbacks, there are a number of quality-minded producers in the Hunter making some impressive and unique wines, and the region is currently undergoing a mini-revival. Especially noteworthy are the unoaked Semillons, which are neutral and acidic in their youth but which age magnificently, the leathery, long-lived Hunter Shirazes and the melon and peach flavoured Verdelhos.

Margaret River

A couple of hundred miles to the south of Perth, this is the most well known of the wine regions in Western Australia, and is responsible for some classy, sophisticated wines. Best are the lush, seamless Cabernet Sauvignons from the likes of Cullen, Plantagenet and Cape Mentelle and the richly textured Chardonnays. The lively Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc blends (try Cullen's little stunner) are also worth checking out.

McLaren Vale

The largest of the wine regions in the Southern Vales of South Australia, located directly to the south of Adelaide. Best known for rich, concentrated, chocolatey reds with a soft, lush texture, and some fat, full flavoured Chardonnays.

Mornington Peninsula

A short drive from Melbourne around Port Phillip Bay, this is where rich Melbournites come and play when they want to escape from the city. Consequently, as well as the golf courses there are dozens of hobby wineries run on a part-time basis. The wines from these boutique operations are often good quality, but usually a little overpriced. The leading winery here is Dromana Estate, producing lovely Chardonnay, a stunning Cabernet/Merlot blend and improving Pinot Noir.

Mount Barker

Small region in the Great Southern area of Western Australia, noted for its Cabernet Sauvignon.

Mudgee

Underrated wine region in New South Wales, just over the dividing range from the more famous Hunter Valley. Unlike the Hunter, however, Mudgee has an ideal climate for viticulture: its elevation (about 500 metres above sea level) means that it is cooler and drier, with a longer growing season. Best are the Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, which have a lovely dusty, earthy character and show great concentration of flavour.

Orange

Small, high-altitude wine region in New South Wales, just over the dividing range from Sydney. The extended growing season and cool nights help to forge delicious, concentrated-but-refined Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

Padthaway

Just a short hop from Coonawarra in South Australia, Padthaway is a similarly flat, unpopulated and dull-looking wine region. Despite this, it has become famous as one of the best places in Australia to grow Chardonnay -- look out for the wonderful example from Lindemans.

Riverina Flat

An irrigated, high-yielding region located near the town of Griffith, New South Wales, producing a serious volume of cheap and cheerful Aussie plonk. Also known as the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area

Riverland Flat

A hot, irrigated wine region in South Australia, responsible for a lot of the reliable, inexpensive Aussie plonk we all know and love.

Rutherglen

Historical, warm-climate region on the banks of the Murray River in north-east Victoria. Although it now makes some improving table wines, Rutherglen is best known for making Australia's best dessert wines: the thick, raisiny, syrupy Liqueur Muscats and Tokays -- a uniquely Australian wine style.

Tasmania

The Australian winemakers' search for cooler, more European wine growing districts led some of them to its southernmost state, Tasmania. It's a decidedly chilly place to grow grapes, and most years there is a struggle to get them ripe. Despite the promise, the still wines have only infrequently been compelling, and many producers have now pinned their hopes on sparkling wine production.

Yarra Valley

One of Australia's most promising 'cool-climate' wine regions, located just to the North East of Melbourne. It's getting a reputation for classy Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon, from the likes of Yarra Yering and Yering Station. Domaine Chandon also produces arguably Australia's best fizz from the Yarra.

[MaiSonJai]

So any other wine recommendations when I'm in Australia, not in Chao Fa road...

Try 'em all

I'll do my best

If this thread is running long enough, I'll give you my comments after each trip...

If I am there when you are ... I'll help you.

Would be my pleasure, Doc.

It really would.

[MaiSonJai]

Thank you, Bmw for such a detailed explanation.

I printed it out and will sure use it...