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 14.5

Teusner Wines The Dog Strangler Mataro 2022 75cl | Great Wines Direct

Teusner Wines The Dog Strangler Mataro 2022 75cl £19.24

'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 £16.87

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

Berton Vineyard 'Foundstone', South Eastern Australia, Shiraz 2022 75cl £12.43

A fresh and juicy Shiraz with blackberry jam, eucalyptus and vanilla flavours Benchmark Australian Shiraz

Red 13.5

Saddle Creek, Australia, Shiraz Cabernet 2021 75cl £10.79

Immensely popular blend of minty, plum and ripe red cherry characters enhanced by a juicy vanilla character

Red 13.5

Shiraz 22 Pete's Pure 75cl £11.18

Red 13.5

Chaffey Bros Wine Co Not Your Grandma's Chillable Red 2022 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

White 13

Fowles Wine Ladies who Shoot their Lunch Chardonnay 2021 75cl | Great Wines Direct

Fowles Wine Ladies who Shoot their Lunch Chardonnay 2021 75cl £22.87

This wine is pale straw in colour Mineral notes acquiesce to intense aromas of melon, peach and subtle vanilla The palate is complex and full bodied with balanced oak notes, a wonderfully creamy texture and great length of flavour

Red 14.4

D Arenberg The Footbolt Shiraz 2021 75cl £14.59

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

Red 14.5

Rojomoma Wild Scarlet Shiraz 2021 75cl £18.16

Fresh and vibrant fruit drives the aroma, carries through on the palate and continues with great length Earthy spice notes are integrated into this well structured and balanced wine Beautiful ripe tannins allow this to be enjoyed now but can also be cellared for at least another 10 years

Red 13.5

Shiraz 21 Cable Crossing 75cl £8.70

White 13

D Arenberg The Olive Grove Chardonnay 2022 75cl £13.33

White 10.5

Mount Pleasant 'Elizabeth', Hunter Valley, Semillon 2017 75cl £21.24

An elegant, waxy and intense Semillon with classic citrus characters of lime and lemongrass showing wonderful intensity and purity

Red 14.3

D Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz Magnum 2019 150cl £77.83

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

Rose 12

Pete's Pure Wine Shiraz Rose 2022 75cl £11.03

Light pale strawberry pink in colour, bright and clear Fresh, clean, lifted nose of strawberries and cream Notes of red fruit characters Well structured, medium bodied palate A well balanced varietally expressive Rose

Red 14.5

Teusner Wines The Gentleman Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 75cl £17.65

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

Rojomoma Red Art Shiraz 2016 75cl | Great Wines Direct

Rojomoma Red Art Shiraz 2016 75cl £23.18

A very complex and well structured wine with elegance Full bodied with beautiful, rich tannins The gentle use of oak and controlled alcohol allow the wine to speak of its single vineyard origins Can be enjoyed now but can also be cellared for at least another 15 years