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 13.5

Berton Vineyard 'Metal Label', Classic Chardonnay 2023 75cl £14.00

Lifted tropical fruit aromas, with hints of lime and grapefruit are complemented by subtle oak nuances Beautifully balanced with a creamy texture

White 12

Opal Ridge, Australia, Semillon Chardonnay 2023 75cl £10.07

Delicate creamy texture with plenty of tropical and zesty lemon flavours

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 13.8

Yering Station, 'Little Yering', Victoria, Shiraz 2020 75cl £17.04

A juicy, fruity and cool-climate Shiraz, with spicy plum and blackberry fruit layered with a touch of violet and white pepper on the soft, lush palate

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 12

D Arenberg The Stump Jump White Blend 2021 75cl £11.50

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 £59.57

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

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

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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