Australian White Wines

wicks-reisling-lgAustralia may be an enormous country on its own, but its area under vine is rather small when you compare it to European countries.It became challenging to say the least for the survival of any living thing, due to the climate conditions. Virtually, all the vineyards are in the cooler South, but Tasmania is just too cold to produce any great wines.

The Australian wine industry is becoming increasingly popular and of higher quality, with thanks to it’s abundance of sunshine and the recognition of the need for cooler vineyard sites at altitude to prevent over ripening.

There are a number of winemakers in Australia who steer clear of the fruity tastes and lashings of oak for a leaner and subtler wine. Instead, they embrace the use of single vineyards as opposed to blending grapes from different regions. This has created a great quality selection of Australian white wines, including Hugh Hamilton and Wick’s Estate.

Australian White Wines come in many forms, with Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillion and Pinot Grigio grapes being of some of the main grapes used.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is a white grape that is grown in certain regions within areas of Australia. It is also commonly used in somewhat of a blend between other Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier in the production of Champagne in France.

Riesling

A grape that is thought to have originated in Germany, though has been in grown in Australia since the 1800s. In Southern Australia, German settlers planted this type of grape in the 1850s, known as a very flexible wine making grape.

Sauvignon Blanc

A widely popular grape, Australia is known to grow a vast range of this wine type. Parts of Western Australia and parts of Tasmania and New Zealand are famed for their wines under this category. As a wine, Sauvignon Blanc is often more tart and dryer than a Chardonnay, though of course is dependent on the region it is grown and the individual winemakers methods.

Semillion

A famous grape to come from the region of Hunter Valley in New South Wales, white wine production has become on the steady rise. It is a versatile grape that is now found in Margaret River and Barossa Valley, of which has been recognised for its young grassy and herbaceous nose that develops into a peach and fig bouquet, before settling on a deep honey and apricot flavour.

Pinot Grigio – Pinot Gris

These two wines use the exact same grape variety, but originates from Italy, combining a generally crisp light-bodied white wine that is best produced early for early consumption. Pinot Gris originates from France, where it is grown largely in Alsace and is typically fuller bodied and better for storing.

Categories