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M2 looked at Australian Shiraz and its current value in the wine marketplace. What we found were a host of other Aussie reds worthy of our attention – enough so that we felt it only right to
explore a little further.
The scale and size of our Trans-Tasman neighbours when it comes to wine cannot be ignored. Australia is the world’s fourth largest exporter of wine with over 700 million litres a year produced for the international export market (in comparison, New Zealand exports around one quarter of this volume).
Just as interestingly, is that wine is produced in every state of Australia, with more than 60 designated wine regions totalling approximately 160,000 hectares. So how does Australia make such great and diverse red wines you may ask? While there are several factors attributing to this, the simple answer is sun.
This is because the Bordeaux grapes of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc require further ripening time than other red grapes such as Pinot Noir, that are produced in the more southern, cooler regions. Thus Australia’s hot climate and rich soils have created an award winning combination for bold, rich and powerful red wines. In more recent times to keep up with trends (and no doubt capitalising on New Zealand’s Pinot success) we are seeing more Australian cool climate reds such as Pinot Noir, which are being produced in their own signature styles.
So if you’re craving some warmer weather this winter, try some of these on for size... You will not be disappointed.
DEAKIN ESTATE MERLOT 2010
Deakin Estate is named after former Australian Prime minister Alfred Deakin, who pioneered agriculture in the region in the 1800s. Since then the Mildura region in Victoria has become one of Australia’s most productive sources of citrus fruit, olives and most of all grapes. The 2010 Deakin Merlot is a light styled wine, with rich berry notes on the nose. Elegant plum and spice flavours on the palate, showcase this as an attractive Merlot, ready for drinking.
RRP $17.99
deakinestate.com.au
TAYLORS ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2011
With over three generations involved in the family business, the Taylor family knows a thing or two about producing wine from all over Australia. Light cherry in the glass, this Pinot blends grapes from cool climate vineyards in South and Western Australia. Vanilla berry and spicy briar notes are evident on the palate, with a lightly textured mouth feel. Good drinking Pinot Noir...
RRP $22.99
taylorswines.com.au
KATNOOK FOUNDERS BLOCK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009
Katnook is an aboriginal word meaning “Fat Land”, which refers to the red fertile soils, known as “terra rossa” found in the region of Coonawarra, South Australia. A key part of the region’s wine history, Coonawrra’s second ever vintage was produced in 1896 in the Katnook woolshed, the same shed that houses Katnook’s oak barrels today. This wine showcases the best the region has to offer
with a concentrated core of plum and blackcurrant, with a hint of cool mint on the palate. The stand out in the lineup...
RRP $28.99
katnookestate.com.au
BAROSSA VALLEY ESTATE E MINOR CABERNET MERLOT 2007
Established in 1985, BVE combines the efforts of over eighty grape growers from the Barossa Valley region, with the E Minor Cabernet Merlot recognised as one of the finer examples in the portfolio.
After first tasting this a year ago, this wine is still deep red in the glass, exhibiting classic big rich black cherry flavours of cabernet, but the merlot’s contribution has come to the fore with a longer, smoother finish. Medium bodied, but very approachable... This wine is exceptional value for the price point and only getting better.
RRP $21.99
bve.com.au
TAYLORS JARAMAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009
The Taylors Jaraman wines are created from the fusion of excellent parcels of fruit from two iconic wine regions in Clare Valley & Coonawarra. Brooding in the glass – this wine is old beyond its years.
While most will expect a bold, powerful wine, this has a little bit of everything, soft supple texture, with underlying blackcurrant and cassis notes on the palate. An exceptional wine...
RRP $33.99
taylorswines.com.au
David Campbell
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