What are the Characteristics of Australian Wine?
Although many wine connoisseurs believe that the premium wines must hail from France or Italy, more and more wine lovers are discovering the wines of Australia. Australian wines are high quality, distinctly flavoured, and easily accessible. The wine makers of Australia have even been making wines for thousands of years, just like their counterparts in France and Italy. They are also the fourth largest exporter of wine in the world. This is a major facet to the Australian economy, including the tourism involved with wineries. Because of the varied temperatures and humidity across the Australian countryside, Australian wine is versatile and an excellent choice for any wine enthusiast.
Some of the most amazing wines are now coming out of Australia. The Australian Red wines known to be of utmost quality are Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir. Because of the success of the Australian Shiraz (known in other countries as Syrah), many of the old world wineries are now labelling their wines as Shiraz. These red wines have a high consistency of tannins and are considered to be successfully used as blending wines. The success found in the red wines of Australia definitely helped rejuvenate the wine industry in this newer wine producing county.
Australian white wine are really what gave this country a name among wine makers. Australia has historically been known for their exceptional Chardonnay and Riesling. These crisp, clean, and even sweet wines gave Australia its start. They have contributed to its success and continue to be sold around the world. These white wines are also good for blending, due to their versatile flavours. Other white wines that Australia takes pride in are the Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chen Blanc. Although the Chardonnay is still the most popular wine among Australians, these other varieties are gaining popularity.
Australia is also quite famous for its fortified wines. These fortified or “strengthened” wines are produced by adding alcohol to the wine during fermentation. The most popular fortified wine is a liqueur Muscat. The special grapes involved in making this wine are not harvested until the grapes are practically withered. This produces a very rich and sweet flavour when fermented and added to alcohol. The liqueur Muscat is extremely popular and receives worldwide awards and acclaim on a regular basis. This is simply another facet to the immensely successful wine industry in Australia.
Australian wine is quite simply a new world triumph. Although it does not have the storied history of the old world wineries of France or Italy, Australia is emerging as a superior producer of all types of wines. Their warm climate, classic flavour combinations, and dedication to their product are evident in the success of the Australian wine industry. With several awards and acclamations to their name, Australian wine makers are hitting their stride. The small wineries that dominate the county definitely give the industry a small, family feeling. This obviously comes across in the care and dedication to the product. With so many varieties and options, there is an Australian wine for anyone. Now you just need an excellent wine merchant that stocks a great range of Australian wines!