So what is going on with Australian wines anyway? In Part 1 we explained how the big corporate brands like Yellow Tail have started dominating the Aussie category, driving prices down and making people think there is very little else out there but the super market critter labels. The common appearance of the South Eastern Australia appellation (an area encompassing all of South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales) further added to the problem by not giving people a clear idea of where the grapes come from.

 

Here we list some white wines with definite origins and a lot of history behind them. Learn more about the personalities and regional differences in they offer…these are all real people and real places, and zero critter labels in sight!

 

Brokenwood Semillon 2009 – Hunter Valley, NSW – This is the Hunter Valley doing what it does best! This Semillon is crisp and racy, with some typical white orchard fruits and minerality. It is easy to see why Semillon from the Hunter Valley is one of Australia’s great contributions to the wine world. Brokenwood was started 40 years ago and has evolved into one of the Hunter Valley’s top producers.

 

Pewsey Vale Riesling 2009 – Eden Valley, SA – not only is this seriously delicious, it comes with some impressive history. The winery was started in 1847 by Englishman Joseph Gilbert in the high altitude Eden Valley region near Adelaide. Australia makes some of the best dry Rieslings from anywhere, this is a big favorite of ours.

 

Tahbilk Marsanne 2008 – Nagambia Lakes, Victoria – Talk about esoteric…Nagambie Lakes is in central Victoria, about 60 miles north of Melbourne. The Marsanne grape is known for its use in the France’s Rhone Valley, but Tahbilk has the largest single planting of this grape anywhere. The Marsanne vineyard was originally established in 1860, but the present day vines come from a vineyard started in 1927, arguably the oldest in the world.

 

 Robert Oatley Chardonnay 2008 – Mudgee, NSW – A delicious style of chardonnay, with the cool climate fruit shining through into a gentle framework of vanilla and oak. Mudgee is located in the central ranges of New South Wales and is in close proximity to the Hunter Valley. Winemaking in Mudgee goes back to 1858 and Robert Oatley himself is a 5^th generation wine grower. Robert Oatley is credited with starting up the well known Rosemount Winery. In short he is a very well known personality in the wine industry, and Mudgee is a very real place.

 

Australia has an interesting geography and history. It is the size of the continental USA, and makes wines in many different styles of very high quality. Keep reading Aussie wines Part 3 for some red wine recommendations…