A journey of 130 kms to the north of Adelaide would land you to this picturesque Clare Valley wine region. Known amongst natives as one of the most beautiful regions of South Australia, it houses above 48 wineries of which many are small and run by families. If you are in or around the region during the month of May, then you must visit the amazing ‘Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend’. A paradise for food and wine lovers, this festival takes place every year where you can get your hands on delicious regional food and wines from more than 25 wineries.
Clare Valley – Through the years
Serene landscapes, a countryside lifestyle and beautiful monuments speak volumes of the rich cultural heritage. The great history of agriculture and mining dates back to the time when Clare Valley was occupied by Ngadjuri tribe. However, wine platings were introduced quite late in 1840’s by Edward Gleeson who planted the first vines in Clare Valley and named the region after his home country.
Exploring the Terroir
Five subregions – Watervale, Clare, Auburn, Polish Hill River and Sevenhill together make the Clare Valley. A moderately warm region, it experiences continental climate. Temperature during the day ranges from warm to hot while falling down drastically at night.
The Clare Valley wine region is endowed with distinct soil types. While the Watervale subregion is rich in terra rossa and limestone soil, the Polish Hill River holds a grey loam topsoil over sandstone and slate. Deep and fertile alluvial soil can be found in the north of Clare Valley and sandy loam entwined with quartz fragments in west.
Must-try Wines
The unique climatic conditions make for complex wines with trademark intensity, balance and structure. Over the years, Clare Valley has become popular for its highly aromatic Riesling. Accounting for 3% of the country’s total produce, the region is also famed for its ripe Chardonnay, lightly-oaked Semillon, plush Shiraz varietal wines. Along with that, it has become recognisable for Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec blend.
What else than a wine can better replicate the beauty of a region? Browse through a great range of wines sourced from the world-famous Clare Valley wine region, on our Just Wines website.
