By Ray Spaziani
Wine Talk
Ray Spaziani
Australia has a relatively short wine history. In 1788 Captain Arthur Phillp first brought in vine cuttings and planted them in a place called Sydney Cove. Sydney Cove was not a good choice for a vineyard in that the climate was not appropriate and the soil was relatively poor. The plantings were soon placed further south, near Hunter Valley, where the soil was good and there was lots of sunshine. Then Barossa Valley was planted, and by the early 19th century many of today’s viticulture areas were established.
By the 1850s Australian wines started to be distributed internationally. They were fortified wines primarily. It wasn’t until the 1960s that the Australians started to demand better-quality wines. Winemakers started to produce big, fruity table wines. Wines like Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay gained a great deal of popularity. This resulted in new wineries developing. The expansion led to better quality and a wider variety of wines.
Today Australia has more than 2,000 commercial wineries in 60 different wine regions. They export about half the wines they produce, which amounts to over 100 million gallons per year. It has become one of largest producers and exporters of wines in the world. Australian wines have developed a reputation of quality. They make some of the best Shiraz in the world. They blend it with Cabernet Sauvignon and the Aussies call it a Shaz-Cab.
The Australians are known for the production wines known as “fruit forward.” These are not sweet wines. However, apples, peaches, pears, chocolate and many other flavors are evident in their wines. The winemakers are known for their innovation in the winemaking process and in bottling, breeding and grape growing abilities. Their wines are considered easy drinking, and have gained great popularity at home and abroad.
As fall weather sneaks up on us, it would be a great idea to try some of these wonderful Australian wines. You will be glad you did.
Ray Spaziani is the chapter director of the New Haven chapter of the American Wine Society. He is on the tasting panels of Winemaker Magazine and Amate del Vino and is a certified wine educator and award-winning home winemaker. Email Ray with your wine questions or activities at realestatepro1000@gmail.com.