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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White 12

Opal Ridge, Australia, Semillon Chardonnay 2023 75cl £10.56

Delicate creamy texture with plenty of tropical and zesty lemon flavours

Red 14.5

Teusner Wines The Gentleman Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 75cl £19.48

Stylish, elegant and generously fruited - a delicious Barossa Cabernet The Eden Valley fruit is showcased by lifted red currant and blue fruit notes, whilst the Barossa Valley fruit contributes aromas of dark chocolate and rich black fruits The savoury tannins run fine and long with a crunchy red fruit freshness and sweet cassis flavours on the palate

Red 14

Berton Vineyard, Winemakers Reserve, Riverina, Durif 2021 75cl £14.92

Rich, ripe concentrated fruit bursting with varietal aromas of anise, mint and blackcurrant combined with hints of violets, spice and chocolate

Red 14

Jim Barry Wines The Lodge Hill, Clare Valley, Shiraz 2021 75cl £17.09

Red 14.5

D Arenberg The Laughing Magpie 2019 75cl £19.07

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

Red 13.9

Chaffey Bros Wine Co Not Your Grandma's Chillable Red 2023 75cl £15.46

Medium colour with a garnet hue Lifted aromatics of rose petals, red berries, cola and a subtle fresh earthy note Palate sits somewhere betweena rose and red, it's medium bodied, soft and smashable, with refreshing acidity leaving you wanting more Upfront red fruits, continuing with earthy, cola/anise characters and finishing with a peppery stalky spice A great balance of sweet and savoury from the likes of Grenache and Mouvedre

Rose 11.4

Chaffey Bros Wine Co Not Your Grandma's Rose 2025 75cl £15.70

Grenache contributes the raspberry and strawberry palate while Mourvedre adds structure and a lingering spice The splash of aromatic field blend wine emphasises strawberry, musk and turkish delight aromas Early picking allows for a textural mouthfeel, luminous rose-diamond colour and crisp natural acidity giving great length Grenache contributes the red berry and strawberry palate with Mourvedre adding structure and lingering spice

Red 13.5

Tooma River Shiraz 2024 75cl £9.31

Shiraz has found its natural home in the sun kissed Australian vineyard, where it produces a ripe, fruit forward style loved for its immediate accessibility The Tooma River Shiraz is no exception, with a rich nose redolent with red and black berry aromas and a smooth, textured palate dripping with juicy dark fruits, hints of chocolate and lively spices

White 12.5

Tooma River Reserve Chardonnay 2024 75cl £9.12

Chardonnay thrives in the warm and sun kissed Australian vineyard - delivering an unmistakably vibrant and fruit driven style This wine is no exception and is packed with grapefruit, lime and melon flavours, all bound up with a zesty, crisp citrus balance which cuts through to the finish

White 12

Pinot Grigio 24 Pete's Pure 75cl £11.77

Red 14.5

D Arenberg The Footbolt Shiraz 2022 75cl £16.28

Earthy, spicy Shiraz from McLaren Vale in South Australia, full of black plums, liquorice and black pepper, with a peaty underlayer of mushroom, pipe tobacco and charcuterie

White 10.5

D Arenberg The Dry Dam Riesling 2024 75cl £16.68

This has a beautifully intense mandarin orange and lemon sorbet character, with bright, tangy acidity balanced by finely-judged sweetness, resulting in a dry-ish style overall At only 10% alcohol yet with masses of character, this really is the perfect foil for prawns or langoustines, or Thai, Vietnamese and Malaysian food It would go equally well with a very British plate of fish and chips Chester Osborn says that d'Arenberg makes McLaren Vale's only Riesling, and they prune back hard to heighten the wine's intensity and pick early for vibrancy and freshness In theory, this could be cellared up to half a centurybut in practice most is drunk up in the first couple of years after the vintage

Red 14.5

D Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz 2019 75cl £34.03

Dark fruit and savoury characters leap from the glass; liquorice and blackberry, laced with a hint of char Complexity in the shape of iodine and soil-like notes follow The wine is powerful and structured After decanting, the core of sweet black fruits, plums and mulberries permeates through the savoury layers of earth, shiitake mushrooms and cedarwood spice The wine is quite compact and focused A powerful yet refined expression of Shiraz with balance, complexity and persistence

Red 14.5

Berton Vineyard, Winemakers Reserve, Padthaway, The Black Shiraz 2023 75cl £15.32

Berton Vineyard WMR Padthaway Shiraz showcases the depth and structure this celebrated South Australian region is known for. Crafted from premium fruit grown in Padthaway's distinctive terroir, this wine delivers rich dark berry and plum notes with subtle spice and oak complexity. The careful winemaking approach ensures a wine of substance and elegance, with balanced tannins that reward both immediate enjoyment and cellaring potential. A sophisticated choice for those seeking authentic Australian Shiraz character. Densely hued, this is a rich and fleshy Shiraz with generous minty blackberry, chocolate and mint flavours over hints of fresh herbs

Red 14.5

Lake Breeze, Bernoota, Langhorne Creek, Shiraz Cabernet 2022 75cl £22.10

A classically rich blend, voluptuous with juicy notes of cassis, blueberries, liquorice and eucalyptus

White 12.1

clos Clare, Watervale, Clare Valley, Riesling 2023 75cl £25.27

Benchmark Clare Valley Riesling, bone dry and poised with characteristic lime and pepper flavours adding complexity to the fine and lifted mineral core