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 11

Jim Barry Wines, Watervale, Clare Valley, Riesling 2024 75cl £15.34

Mouthwatering aromas of lemon, grapefruit juice and lime combine with a lick of minerality The generosity of flavour shows all the hallmarks of Watervale Riesling, perfectly balanced by a zesty finish

Red 13.7

Chaffey Bros Wine Co La Conquista! Tempranillo Garnacha Graciano 2023 75cl £17.14

A blend of 66% Tempranillo, 30% old vine Garnacha and 4% Graciano Cherry and cola aromas mingle with hints of chocolate and spicy A dark, yet luminous crimson colour hints at the rich semi-savoury dark cherry and cola palate that nishes with a hint of grenache red cherry juiciness The original Spanish spelling of Barrosa honours the original name given to our Barossa Valley by Colonel Light who fought in the 1811 battle

Red 14.5

D Arenberg The Custodian Grenache 2021 75cl £16.15

The nose is packed with enticing fresh red fruit characters of raspberry, cherry, and pomegranate Hints of blackberry and Kalamata olive come through over time, erupting in a long and lingering palate A fine line of acid, reminiscent of tangy rhubarb, is supported by lively tannins

Red 13.5

Paringa Estate, Peninsula, Mornington Peninsula, Shiraz 2021 75cl £27.29

Paringa Estate's Peninsula Shiraz showcases the distinctive character of the Mornington Peninsula terroir. This vintage delivers dark berry fruit with subtle spice and pepper notes, underpinned by fine tannins and balanced acidity. The cool-climate conditions of the region impart elegance and restraint to the wine, making it equally suited to immediate enjoyment or cellaring. A sophisticated choice for those seeking premium Australian Shiraz with regional authenticity and food-pairing versatility. A subtle hint of violets and herbs laces the warm mint chocolate and black pepper core. A wonderfully enticing and silky cool-climate Shiraz

Red 14.5

Tahbilk, Old Vines, Nagambie Lakes, Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2019 75cl £29.27

A generous, expressive yet elegant blend with bay leaf, mint and pepper notes surrounding dark berry, spice and plum fruit flavours

White 12

Berton Vineyard, Foundstone, South Eastern Australia, Pinot Grigio 2024 75cl £11.60

Notes of green apple, pear and citrus fruit through to an off-dry fruity finish

Red 14.5

Brown Brothers, Estate Range, Shiraz 2018 75cl £19.80

Lifted aromas of red and dark berry fruits are complemented by the classic peppery notes of Shiraz, through to a juicy and supple palate

Red 12.5

Brown Brothers, Explorer Series, Victoria, Tarrango 2022 75cl £15.06

A light, refreshing and juicy red wine characterised by notes of wild red berries, cherries and a hint of spice, through to a delicate and moreish finish

Red 14.5

Teusner Wines The Dog Strangler Mataro 2022 75cl £21.18

'The Dog Strangler' , translated from Estrangle-Chien, as it is known in parts of France The grape variety Mataro is also known as Mourvedre Rarely seen as a single varietal - this wine is a standout A lovely, deep, darkly impenetrable, purple/black colour Deep purple, good name for a band Blueberries, anise, smoked-meats, Asian spice, really lovely aromatics and evocative things happening in the glass Deliciously fleshy blue fruits, dark cherry, spice and licorice This has a really attractive dark fruit-weight and the tannins and acid work in tandem seamlessly to give the dark, slurpy fruit the structure and cut this wine requires

Red 14

Xanadu, Margaret River, Circa 77 Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 75cl £17.33

Vibrant characteristic aromas of ripe black fruits and subtle spicy, toasty oak lead to a generous palate of juicy cassis, supple tannins and savoury overtones

Red 14.5

Teusner Wines The Riebke Shiraz 2021 75cl £19.48

The wine is jam packed with Barossa Shiraz flavoursplums, black fruits and warm spices of cinnamon, nutmeg and 5 spice There s a touch of mid palate sweetness, some mocha and black olive and the soft tannins are integrated seamlessly through the mid palate The subtle use of oak allows the rich dark fruit to take center stage

Red 14

D Arenberg The Galvo Garage Cabernet Blend 2018 75cl £20.57

On the nose are lifted aromas of dark fruits, plums, mulberries with a hint of black cherries Fresh soil is also apparent, with an underlying note of exotic Indian spice The palate shows mulberries, black pepper and ripe plums, before a strong, lingering dark cherry spice meld with the more complex characters of quince paste, nutmeg and cinnamon

Red 13.5

Chaffey Bros Wine Co Not Your Grandma's Chillable Red 2022 75cl £15.18

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

White 12

D Arenberg The Stump Jump White Blend 2021 75cl £12.14

Riesling gives the finesse and class to this wine, Sauvignon Blanc adds loads of aromatics, and the Marsanne and Roussanne provide complexity, weight and nuttiness to the palate The resulting wine is an exotic mix of citrus, stone fruits, passionfruit, guava and tinned pineapple which develops into a long savoury, nutty like finish The mouthfeel is rich and luscious without being overly oily, kept in check by a fine line of mineral acidity

Red 13.5

Paringa Estate, Estate Series, Mornington Peninsula, Pinot Noir 2019 75cl £59.76

A breathtaking Pinot with an extraordinary velvety texture and elegant power enhanced by mushroom and violet notes, long and sustained

Red 14.3

D Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz Magnum 2019 150cl £82.27

The heady aroma is both powerful and pretty with notes of fennel, purple flowers and blossom mingling with ripe, varietal purple fruits and black pepper The oak is hardly evident which allows fruit and soil complexities to emerge with edges of rhubarb and red mulberry and savoury characters of dried herbs, game and spice The palate opens with anise, black pepper, graphite and restrained dark cherries before it gives way to seductive mulberry, plum, liquorice and spice It has great power, depth and length with very vibrant, gritty fruit tannins providing immense structure Notes of anise and spice linger for a long time after the last sip The Dead Arm 2008 strikes a rare balance of power, complexity and finesse with impressive structure that will reward those with patience to cellar it