Wines Around the World

Australia

Australia has been making wine since shortly after British settlers got there in 1788. Being so geographically isolated, winemakers there developed sophisticated winemaking technology largely independent of Europe. Australia also has intense sunshine and cool breezes. These two factors make Australian wine very unique. A varietal with which you are familiar, Shiraz or Chardonnay for example, will display different characteristics when produced in Australia.
Blending of premium varietals is common in Australia. Chardonnay is commonly blended with Semillon…Cabernet Sauvignon shares a bottle with Shiraz…. or Merlot. This practice pre-dates the wine boom of the 1970's when varietal wines became so popular. When grape varieties are skillfully blended, the whole can be much more than the sum of the parts.

Australia is similar to California in that all styles of wine are produced there. The varying climates are suited to produce everything from Merlot to hardy Shiraz, from dry Chardonnay to Botrytis afflicted desert wines. Although surging popularity has put Australian wine on many an American palate, the prices are still quite reasonable. You can find great deals in Shiraz, Cabernet and Chardonnay in the price range of $8-10. Generally in Australia it is fair to say the reds are ahead of the whites in quality, but lately the gap is closing fast. Hunter Valley is becoming the Napa Valley of Australia producing big, ripe Chardonnays.

New Zealand

To the south of Australia is the smaller island of New Zealand. With more ocean breezes and slightly cooler weather, great whites are coming from this area. Sauvignon Blanc has long been the favored wine here, since the terroir seems perfectly suited to this grape. A string of mountains running North to South along the backbone of this country creates interesting micro-climates suitable to different varieties. Whites do better than reds, which tend to be overpriced. New Zealand is best at Sauvignon Blanc, but also good at Chardonnay and Riesling.