Verdelho
Verdelho is one of Australia’s niche white wine varieties. Its flavoursome palate and full-bodied nature makes it a good alternative to the market-dominant Chardonnay. Although usually sold as a straight varietal, it also blends well with Chardonnay and Semillon. From cool to warm climates the varietal character will change from herbaceous, grassy and spice through [...]
Read moreSauvignon Blanc
In Australia Sauvignon Blanc is used to make fresh, vibrant wine styles with none of the heaviness of Chardonnay or the floral tones of Riesling. The variety normally displays intense tropical fruit flavours with varying degrees of herbaceousness behind which lie tropical fruit, passionfruit and gooseberry aromas. But Sauvignon Blanc goes further to provide a [...]
Read moreCabernet Franc
Thought to be one of the parent grape varieties that gave rise to the Cabernet Sauvignon cultivar in Bordeaux in the late 17th century. Just like Cabernet Sauvignon it is full of tannin, but less outspoken in aroma and taste, and somewhat more herbal and spicy. While it has come to play an important though [...]
Read morePetit Verdot
Petit Verdot is one of the six approved grapes for making red wines in the Bordeaux region of France. One of Bordeaux’s classic red grape varieties, it has long been established in the Medoc, probable longer than Cabernet Sauvignon. Because Petit Verdot tends to ripen late in the season and is often lost to rains [...]
Read moreSangiovese
With its beginnings thought to predate Roman times, is considered one of the top two red grapes (the other being Nebbiolo) in Italy. It is extensively planted – particulary in the central and southern regions and is believed to have originated in Tuscany, where it dominates today. The name is derived from ‘sanguis Jovis’ meaning [...]
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Cabernet Sauvignon
Australia produces a distinct array of Cabernet Sauvignon styles, with climate having a significant impact on the sensory characteristics of the variety. The underlying characters common to all Cabernet Sauvignons are drying, mouth puckering tannins which whether combined with the minty and leafy characters intermingled with blackcurrant and red berries from cooler climates or the [...]
Read moreChardonnay
Chardonnay is one of the most popular wines in the world, and is the main white grape variety grown for commercial white wine production in Australia. The popularity of Chardonnay quickly rose, due to its generous flavours and its ease to grow and make into wine. In fact, it is often called a viticulturalist’s dream, [...]
Read moreShiraz
Shiraz is the most widely planted grape variety in Australia. It currently represents 40% of the total red grape crush and constitutes 20% of all wine grape production in Australia. Offering a range of styles often defined by the terroir of the region no other grape has such a uniquely Australian character. With its soft [...]
Read moreMerlot
Merlot is most famous in its homeland of Bordeaux in France, where it is used to make some of the world’s greatest and most expensive wines. It is most suited to appellations of Pomerol and St Emilion, and with its characteristic fleshy, supple mid-palate its inclusion improves the balance and structure of a wine Cabernet [...]
Read moreBarbera
The principle grapevine variety planted in the Piemonte region of north-western Italy, and is one of the country’s most commonly planted red varieties. It is a moderately late ripening variety which maintains good fruity flavours, good colour, lower levels of tannins and high levels of natural acidity at full ripeness. Barbera is generally regarded as [...]
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