Australian Wine

Australian Wines from Great Wines Direct

Australia is the fourth biggest wine exporter in the world, exporting around 750 million litres every year into the international market. Nevertheless, 40% of the wine produced here is consumed domestically and the Australian wine industry contributes significantly to the nation’s economy through tourism, export, employment and production.

The Australian domestic market is worth over $2 billion per year, and Australians consume more than 530 million litres annually, with a preference for white wines over reds. All of the states produce wine, and there are over 60 wine regions in the country, covering around 160,000 hectares of the land surface. Most of the wine regions are in the south due to the cooler climate, and some of the best known vineyards are in New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Queensland, Western Australia and Victoria. Each state produces a range of wine styles and varieties to reflect the local soil types, topography and climate.

The main varieties produced are cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, shiraz, pinot noir, merlot, Riesling, Semillon and sauvignon blanc, however the country’s best wines are made in the regions with cooler climates.

Most of the country’s wines are produced in South Australia however the Tasmanian region has become known as one of the world’s best producers of high quality wine. The Tamar Valley in particular is known for its pinot noirs and chardonnays which thrive in the cool Tasmanian climate. Some other noteworthy wines are made in the Granite Belt region to the extreme south of the state which has a very high altitude and therefore a cool growing environment. Production here centres on the towns of Ballandean and Stanthorpe.

Read our blog: Australia's Wine Wonderland: Exploring the Regions Down Under

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Red 12.7

Stargazer Pinot Noir 2022 75cl £52.43

An absolute stunner from this superb producer Less than 2000 bottles produced showing off one of Australiia's premium wine regions Dense purple hues give way to an opulent nose showing the red fruits which are typical of the Huon Valley: pomegranate, cranberries and rhubarb compote Long and lingering finish Effortless power and finesse

White 12.5

Stargazer Chardonnay 2022 75cl £52.43

A superbly made wine showcasing one of Australia's best producers! This Chardonnay truly demonstates the smbyosis of fruit and oak as they are perfectly in balance in this stunning wine Less than 2000 bottles produced! The nose is bursting with grapefruit and white peach, entwined with a nutty oakiness The palate follows the nose with a superb lingering finish, beautifully balanced with good acidity and a fantastic creamy intensity Delicious!

Red 13

Kooyong Ferrous Pinot Noir 2021 75cl £44.74

Beautifully fresh and complex aromas of cherry, cranberry, walnut, anise and liquorice root, with a hint of blood orange There's a wonderful woodsy earthiness going on underneath The aromas are ripe, but the multi-faceted nuances are far more suggestive of Burgundy than the character you would expect from Australia or New Zealand Seamlessly supple in the mouth, with superbly well-knit acidity and tannins, this is really finely-crafted and elegantly-balanced An absolute joy to drink immediately, this could also age gracefully for at least another 7-10 years

White 13

Berton Vineyard, Reserve, Eden Valley, Chardonnay 2022 75cl £18.35

A richly flavoured wine with tropical stone fruits enhanced by hints of vanilla and orange zest with mineral notes from its cool climate origin

Rose 13

D Arenberg The House of Pink Sangiovese Rose 2023 75cl £16.33

Delightful Summer sip, Sangiovese based that brings a pristine salmon-pink rose colour Fresh red berries on the nose are followed by sunny red-fruit flavours like strawberries, raspberries, cherries and watermelon The fresh fruit is lifted by a hint of sea spray bringing a vibrant freshness The finish is light and easy to enjoy

13.5

Ocean Eight, Mornington Peninsula, Pinot Noir 2020 75cl £26.46

A fleshy and ripe Pinot Noir style full of wild strawberry and cranberry flavours enhanced by notes of cloves and vanilla

12.5

Ocean Eight 'Verve', Mornington Peninsula, Chardonnay 2020 75cl £26.46

The name Verve encapsulates its style, with a vibrant perfume of Granny Smith apple, honeysuckle blossom and lime zest enhanced by stone fruit flavours, long and elegant

Red 14

Paringa Estate, 'Estate Series', Mornington Peninsula, Shiraz 2018 75cl £46.80

A serious cool-climate Shiraz with incredibly focused aromas of pepper, ink and spice set against fleshy damson fruit and a silky texture

White 12

Tahbilk, 'Museum Release', Nagambie Lakes, Marsanne 2017 75cl £19.03

Pungent and lifted honeysuckle and buttered toast notes lead to a rich, nutty and honeyed palate, brimming with lemon citrus fruits on the finish

White 13

Tahbilk, Nagambie Lakes, Marsanne 2022 75cl £16.24

Grapefruit zest and citrus floral aromas are carried through to a decidedly lively, mineral palate with pear, Granny Smith apple and citrus fruits

White 12

Pikes Valley's End Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2022 75cl £14.45

A vibrant showing of tropical fruits, including ripe passionfruit and lychee Even though the palate is bursting with sweet flavours, the tight line of acidity keeps everything in check, and it finishes deliciously dry with hints of minerality The Valley s End shows its sense of place in a truly delicious manner The Pikes Clare Valley site is unique, with tough acidic soils overlaying ancient dark grey siltstone of the Kadlunga Slate formation, which has rested beneath Polish Hill River for 650 million years

Red 13.6

Jim Barry Wines The Armagh, Clare Valley, Shiraz 2018 75cl £278.69

Complex and intense notes of rich, dark fruit, spice and dark chocolate are enveloped by a velvety palate A wine of great power, length and poise

Red 14.5

D Arenberg d'Arry's Original Shiraz Grenache 2020 75cl £16.33

This wine displays a vibrant, deep plum colour with a dark brick-red edge The nose is packed with berries and spice with a darker background of black olive and freshly turned earth There is a luscious plum, blueberry, blackberry and raspberry core with secondary notes of clove and nutmeg As the wine opens more delicate nuances are revealed, with floral notes appearing on the nose and palate The tannins add a subtle grip and enticingly long finish This wine is named in honour of d'Arenberg's principal, Francis d'Arenberg Osborn, who is universally known as d'Arry d'Arry's original blend, first launched some four decades ago, was as is it appears today - a blend of Shiraz and Grenache grown on d'Arenberg's low yielding, 19th century vineyards

Red 14.5

Pizzini Wines L'Aquila Nebbiolo 2018 75cl £27.04

Classic Nebbiolo colour, garnet with deep brick red hue On the nose the wine displays typical Nebbiolo characters of rose petal and violets with subtle star anise notes keeping your attention The palate is deep, structured and powerful, all elements we pride ourselves on when working with this special variety Rich red fruits, spiced plums and red liquorice lead us to solid earthy tannins and a remarkably bright and generous finish

Red 14.5

D Arenberg The Laughing Magpie 2018 75cl £17.34

Dark brooding fruit is apparent on the nose with earth, spice and dried herbs The palate is round and luscious with an attractive black olive and sage character persistent throughout the palate This wine has fantastic fruit weight, with great supporting tannin and balanced acidity It still looks very youthful and should easily cellar for the next ten years

White 11.5

Mayfield Vineyard Backyard Riesling 2022 75cl £22.18

This superb dry Riesling has sublime delicacy and feather-lightness of texture, and yet is packed with personality Bursting with orange sherbet, elderflower, jasmine and fine silver needle white tea aromas, it is fantastically refreshing, crisp and dry As it sits in the glass, its flavours open up to reveal exotic tropical fruits and lychees Really, really excellent Orange is a high-altitude region and Mayfield vineyard lies at about 860m above sea level - the coolness that comes with this elevation makes for brilliant, crystal-pure white wines