About Australian Wine

About Australian Wine
Wine is a bit of a quandry when one speaks of Australia. Here is a country that ranks sixth in the world as far as total production, yet it so too often associated these days with inexpensive, mass-produced wines.

This is understandable, given that a few huge corporations produce a great majority of the country's wine, with much of its destined for supermarkets in the USA and England. But this reputation is a true shame, as there are so many excellent wine regions that are home to some magnificent producers.

Shiraz is the country's signature wine; not only is it Australia's most widely planted variety, it is also the wine with the greatest reputation. Especially in the Barossa and Clare Valleys, there are explosive versions of this wine that can age for many years. Other notable reds from Australia are the Rhone blends with varying percentages of Grenache and Mourvedre added to Shiraz.

Certain areas such as Western Australia are ideal for cool climate varieties such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Probably the best white wines are Semillon from Hunter Valley and especially Riesling from the Clare and Eden Valleys. These Rieslings, thought quite different from those produced in Germany, are equally brilliant and are most assuredly world-class

Top Picks for Australia

Wakefield 2019 The Pioneer Shiraz
95 points
$140
Intense and richly decadent now; this is a Syrah that will likely shine brightest at around 10 to 12 years old.
Berton Vineyards 2022 Metal Label Flavored Moscato Frizzanté Riverina
95 points
$13
Best Buy
A fascinating and delectable Moscato Frizzante with just a hint of extra floral lift and spiced complexity.
95 points $13 Best Buy
Wakefield 2022 Promised Land Chardonnay
95 points
$13
Best Buy
A New World under study well-suited to fill in for Village level white Bourgogne.
Awards: '2022 World Value Wine Challenge-Top 10 White Wine $15 and Under' Best Value Australian Chardonnay 2022 Best Chardonnay
95 points $13 Best Buy
Taylors 2022 Promised Land Sauvignon Blanc
94 points
$13
Best Buy
A genially herbal and fruit forward expression of Sauvignon Blanc; pair with pesto, salads, and light fish dishes.
94 points $13 Best Buy
Sidewood 2022 Estate Shiraz
94 points
$17
Best Buy
Fruity and savory, this would make a distinctive house red that definitely deserves a second glass; a funky nose with tantalizing fruit on the palate.
94 points $17 Best Buy
Wakefield 2023 Estate Pinot Gris
94 points
$18
Best Buy
An explosion of fruit on the nose and palate that seems almost candied at first because of the ripeness, but is in fact pleasantly dry on the palate.
94 points $18 Best Buy
Wakefield 2022 Jaraman Pinot Noir
94 points
$22
Tart and lean but with fully ripened red berries on the nose and palate; reminiscent of great Oregon Pinot Noir from 20 years ago.
Wakefield 2020 St Andrews Shiraz
94 points
$50
Just beautiful intensity and concentration of fruit; great now but should evolve with time.
Mt. Monster 2021 Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
94 points
$13
Best Buy
A delightfully light and crisp style of Cabernet for versatile food pairing options.
94 points $13 Best Buy
Coltbridge Vineyards 2020  Cabernet Sauvignon
94 points
$9
Best Buy
Both over ripe and under ripe expressions of the fruit exist in tandem with very well balanced oak illustrating the deft execution by the wine maker; New World flavors combine with Old World complexity.
94 points $9 Best Buy