Chat with Vinny
Australia’s wine scene is as diverse as its landscape. From bold Barossa Shiraz to crisp Tasmanian Riesling, each region has its own style. Explore South Australia’s rich reds, Victoria’s world-class Pinot, and Margaret River’s elegant Chardonnays. Whether you love classic or adventurous wines, there’s a perfect bottle waiting for you.
Aussie wine – it’s all the same, right?
Wrong! Take a glance at most supermarket shelves, and you might think Australia is all rich, spicy Shiraz and ripe, oaky Chardonnay. But Australia has a long history of winemaking and many distinct wine regions – each with their own signature style of wine.
In fact Australian wine regions offer as wide a range of styles as you’ll find anywhere – from big Barossa Shiraz to racy, cool-climate Clare Valley Riesling. Here are the main Australian wine growing states and their most important wines.
South Australia
South Australia, the state centred around the city of Adelaide, is home to some of Australia’s top regions, including The Barossa and Eden Valley, Clare Valley and McLaren Vale.
Here are some must try wines from South Australia:
Barossa Valley Shiraz – full-bodied with rich black fruit and spice, these iconic reds have set the benchmark for Shiraz worldwide.
Clare Valley Riesling – this cool climate region produces wonderfully aromatic Rieslings with intense citrus and mineral freshness.
Coonawarra Cabernet – the famed red soils of Coonawarra are perfect for Cabernet Sauvignon, lending it distinctive mint and cassis notes.
New South Wales
The largest wine region in New South Wales (NSW) is Riverina, a great source of quality reds at affordable prices. There are many smaller regions too, including Orange and Tumbarumba, each with its own speciality.
Here are two must-try wines from NSW:
Hunter Valley Semillon – lean and citrusy in youth, these whites develop honeyed notes with age – there’s nothing quite like them anywhere else.
Riverina Shiraz – Riverina is a dry inland region, so winemakers rely on irrigation to grow grapes – producing reliably rich, concentrated wines. Riverina Shiraz, for example, is a great alternative to Barossa, without the hefty price tag.
Victoria
Victoria is perhaps Australia’s most diverse wine state, producing everything from world-class Pinot Noir in Yarra Valley to the fortified Muscats and Tokays from Rutherglen.
Here are two must-try wines from Victoria:
Rutherglen Muscat – these legendary fortified wines have been made in Australia since the 19th century and are among the world’s finest dessert wines.
Yarra Valley Chardonnay – the cool-climate Yarra Valley produces fine Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that can rival Burgundy.
Western Australia
Remote Western Australia has long been a haven for surfers, but in the last thirty years, it has emerged as the home of some of Australia’s finest wineries. Despite growing just 5% of the country’s grapes, the region is responsible for many its best wines.
Here are two must-try wines from Western Australia:
Margaret River Chardonnay – Western Australia’s most famous wine region produces elegant, Bordeaux-like Cabernet Sauvignon and expressive Sauvignon Blanc blends. But it is best known for its superb Burgundy-like Chardonnay.
Swan Valley Chenin Blanc – like Margaret River, Swan Valley excels with a range of grape varieties. But Chenin Blanc is its calling card. Some would even say that Swan Valley produces the best Chenin Blanc in the world.
Tasmania
The little island of ‘Tassie,’ just south of the mainland, is one of the coolest growing regions in Australia. It is most famous for its elegant Pinot Noir, a famously fussy grape that thrives in Tasmania’s climate.
Here are two must try Tasmanian wine styles:
Tasmanian Pinot Noir – there are few places in the world that produce really great Pinot Noir (the great grape of Burgundy), and Tasmania is one of them. Expect light to medium-bodied wines, with wonderfully intense red fruit flavours and often a deft touch of oak.
Tasmanian Riesling – the cool maritime climate of Tasmania enhances the aromatic qualities of the Riesling grape.
About the author
Chris Larkin
A seasoned copywriter with over two decades experience, Chris has been part of the team since 2021. At Laithwaites HQ, you’ll find him either working on our latest catalogue or creating informative content for our website. Qualified to WSET Level 3 Wine, Chris is as geeky about wine as he is about copywriting. But when it comes to choosing a special bottle, he is a traditionalist, and loves a good Bordeaux or Mâcon Chardonnay.
