Saturday, November 1, 2008

Full-Flavored, Rich Tasting Chardonnay Australian Wines!

By The Backyard Wine Enthusiast

If you are searching for an fabulous wines at great values, then you must give Australian Wines a try. Australia produces great quality wines at a price that won't break your wine budget.

Australia is relatively new to the production of wine. It has been within the last three decades that Australia has blossomed into a country with great choices in wine and wine values. You can find excellent wine choices in both red and white wine categories.

Australia's climate is in line with the climate regions of California, therefore it is no wonder that they produce product very similar to the kinds of wines that are produced in California.

Australia is also known for its own distinctive variety of wines. Wine lovers recognize the popular Shiraz or Syrah. This type of wine is rich-tasting and full-bodied. Australia also produces the Durif wine. The Durif wine was started in France, in the Rhone Valley, but Australia has been able to produce an excellent Durif as well. The Durif wine has also been know to be called a "Petite Shiraz." This is one of my favorite wines, for it's wonderful taste and excellent color.

Rutherglen, located in Victoria has become a very popular area for producing excellent Australian wines. There are 17 wineries located within a short driving distance from the center of town. Rutherglen produces fabulous sparkling red wines, along with Muscats, Ports and Tokay's. Rutherglen has become known the world over for the quality of wine from that region.

Another area in Australia that has become famous for producing outstanding wine, is the Pyrenees located in central Victoria. This region has an abundance of over 30 vineyards and has over twenty types of wines from Chardonnay's to Sauvignon Blanc's to Merlot's, Pinot Noir's and lots more excellent wine choices.

Mornington Peninsula - Victoria, Australia This area use to be known for large apple orchards, but today the Mornington, Peninsula located just south-east of Melbourne in Victoria, is now known for producing small batches of high-quality Australian wines from about 60 wineries in the area. A very nice Pinot Noir comes from this region.

McLaren Vale - Southern, Australia McLaren Vale is another area located in South Australia that is a popular wine region consisting of small wineries primarily run by families and small business owners. Many vineyards planted over one hundred years ago still produce excellent grapes for wine harvest. The soil and the climate work beautifully together to produce superior tasting wine. This area has a Mediterranean climate with a very dry summer. McLaren Vale has the perfect weather with long hot days, cool nights with little frost or drought which, makes for an excellent climate just right for producing some of the best tasting Shiraz's in the world. This area has been acknowledged as one of the outstanding producer of Shiraz with harvest occurring from March to early April. The berries harvested here are smaller and they produce a more complicated and intense wine. Shiraz is just one of the excellent products produced from this region but other wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache also have outstanding reputations for their excellent taste and quality. The Grenache, similar to that grown in Spain, grows exceptionally well in this geographical region.

The Clare Valley which is located in Southern part of Australia is not only one of the oldest areas of Australia but it is also one of the most beautiful area for you to see. The architecture is a reflection of the early English and Irish settlers. With a continental climate it produces an excellent quality Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. It has received awards for a delightful tasting Riesling.

Since the early 1970's, Australia has grown to become the largest exporter of wine to the United Kingdom and it has fought and won the reputation as one of the finest world producers of quality wine. If you have not had a chance to try wines from Australia, take a look at these types of Australian wines listed and the regions in which they come from on your next wine buying trip. I am sure you will experience an excellent wine at a great wine value.

About the Author:

No comments:

Post a Comment