Australian Wines.
Australia’s wine industry is large, very diverse, and market oriented.
A few large winery conglomerates dominate the Australian market and export the lion’s share of the total production.
All are market oriented, and design their wines to suit the palates of their export markets. There are also small wineries that own vineyards, control viticulture, harvest manually, and proceed making wine unsung traditional techniques.
Understandably these are expensive, but for the wealthy connoisseur they represent value.
Large Australian wineries must export to survive, and often their products, at least for the average consumers, represent affordable enjoyment.
Recently, many Australian wineries offered their “value” wines to the media and trade.
I found the following to be very palatable. All prices are those of the L.C.B.O. and available as general list wines in most of its 650 stores across the province.
White wines:
Traminer/Riesling, 2009, De Bortol
Nice aromatics, clean, light, and balanced.
$ 13.95
87/100
Yellow Tail Reserve Chardonnay, 2010, Casella Wines
Fragrant, fruit aromas attractive vanilla and oak scents, fresh, vibrant with tropical fruit flavours
$ 14.95
87/100
Clare Hills Riesling, 2009, Pikes
Brilliant pale green aromas of lemon, lime, quince and mineral dominate. On the palate the wine is crisp, dry, fresh, balanced, and finishes well.
$ 14.95
86/100
Haycutter Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon, 2009, Shingleback
From Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale fruits, this pale straw coloured wine offers, tropical and citrus fruit flavours. It is well balanced with a clean finish. An excellent light food wine
$ 17.95
88/100
James Oatley Tic Tok Sauvignon Blanc, 2009, R. Oatley
A fine light Australian Sauvignon Blanc with zesty tropical fruit aromas, and herbal flavours. Good acidity, palate cleansing with a long finish
$ 14.95
87/100
Little Yering Chardonnay, 2009, Yering Station
The cool Yarra valley, close to Melbourne, is well known for its flavourful Chardonnays. This medium-weight Chardonnay offers white nectarine and citrus aromas with fine underlying acidity. Excellent mouth feel and long satisfying finish.
$ 14.95
88/100
Cooralook Pinot Grigio, 2008, Yabby Lake
From the Mornington Peninsula in the State of Victoria, this medium-bodied wine has intriguing honeysuckle, pear and citrus aromas. It is well balanced, and finishes with pleasant mineral-defined flavour.
$ 14.95
87/100
Red Wines
Gamekeeper’s Shiraz/Cabernet, 2008, St, Hallett
This classic Barossa blend brings rich, full plum and cherry flavours of Shiraz with lifted violets, and blackcurrant and blackberries.
$ 14.95
88+é100
Shiraz/Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008, Fifth Leg
From Western Australia’s Margaret River, this bland delivers dark cherry and blackberry aromas.
Full-bodied with fine tannins. Excellent food wine.
$ 15.95
89/100
Chronicles Butcher’s Gold Shiraz/Sangiovese, 2008, Hardy`s
Dark plum and Morello cherry aromas dominate. Full-bodied, spicy, bright, brilliant flavours. Good with beef stews, medium-rare hamburgers, steaks, and grilled sausages.
$ 14.95
87/100
Morse Code Shiraz, 2009, Henry’s Drive
From South Australia’s Padthaway region, this full bodied, deeply flavoured, spicy red wine would refresh your palate with or without food.
$ 12.95
88-89/100
Shiraz/Vioginer, 2009, Long Flat
Perfumed nose of of raspberry confection and orange blossom. An easy-drinking, full bodied, balanced wine
$ 11.95
89/100
Shiraz, 2008, Kangarilla Road
From the famed McLaren Vale in South Australia, this plum smelling vanilla underlines, full-bodied, balanced wine deserves full flavoured dishes.
$ 17.45
91/100
Stonedweller’s Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008, Plunkett-Fowles
Offers blackcurrant aromas and spicy flavours. Full-bodied, balanced with a long finish
$ 19.95
92/100
Reserve Shiraz, 2010, Casella Wines
Vibrant, ripe berry fruit aromas, delicious, full-bodied, mid-palate underlined with cracked pepper flavours. Long aftertaste
$ 15.95
89/100
Clare Hills Shiraz/Cabernet, 2008, Pikes
Deep red colour, intense blueberry, plum aromas, In the mouth, spices become noticeable. Full-bodied, well-extracted, offering dark chocolate flavours. Long finish
$ 14.95
89/100
Sparkling red wine
Sparkling Shiraz, Jip Jip Rocks
Deep crimson colour with brick red mousse and fine bead. Ripe plum aromas and spicy notes in the mouth. Soft, creamy with a persistent cherry, chocolate, and spice finish
$ 16.95
89/100
