Pinot Noir grapes are grown around the world but the origins are in Burgundy, France. Australia produces very little Pinot Noir compared with the most popular red varieties of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. Pinot Noir grapes make up about 1% of varieties in Australia. However, Pinot Noir wine has a reputation for being the finest. [...]
Shiraz Viognier is a blend of red and white grapes. The shiraz grape variety is the most popular red wine variety in Australia. Viognier is much less known but the blend of the two varieties has become popular in recent times. The blending of wine usually occurs after the wine has been made. However, in [...]
Syrah du Monde is an international competition, held in France, to find the best shiraz (syrah in french) wine. The aim is to highlight shiraz wines from all over the world and to use wine professionals to judge and award medals. In 2008 the Witchmount Estate winery in Victoria were awarded first place for their [...]
Merlot is noted for being a red wine that’s easy to drink. This makes it a good choice for people who normally drink white wines and are looking for an easy introduction to red wines. The main characteristic of merlot is that it’s smooth, silky and soft. The flavours are similar to cabernet sauvignon with [...]
Viognier is not as well known as other white wine varieties and if you haven’t tried it, give it a go. It’s versatile, goes well with a range of food particularly spicy food, and is full of intense flavour with a distinctive fruit and floral character. Its origins are in the Rhone Valley in France. [...]
Cabernet Sauvignon was the world’s most widely grown red wine grape until the 1990s when Merlot took over. Originally from the Bordeaux region of France, it’s a relatively new variety which was produced by an accidental crossing of Savignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc in the 17th century. Cabernet Sauvignon is a hardy and easily cultivated [...]
Riesling originated in Germany where it has been grown since the 1400s and is noted as being one of the noble grape varieties. It produces aromatic, intensely flavoured wine and is very popular with connoisseurs. The first Riesling vintage in Australia was produced in 1850. Prior to losing its place to Chardonnay, riesling was the [...]
The Shiraz grape originated in the Northern Rhone region of France and is known there as Syrah. Now widely grown throughout the world the variety was introduced into Australia in 1832. Shiraz is the most popular Australian red wine variety today and also gave Australian wine making its first international recognition back in 1878 at [...]
Chardonnay is the most popular white wine grape variety in Australia, and indeed the world. It is used for best sparkling wines and is considered the king of white wines. The Chardonnay grape is associated with the wines of Burgundy region of Eastern France. Given its popularity the origins of Chardonnay have been claimed by [...]
