More red wine varieties are being available today than ever before. A number of Australia’s finest wine producers from different wine regions like Hunter Valley, Margaret River, Freycinet Peninsula, Barossa Valley, and Clare Valley are now producing red wines from an increasing number of grape variants.
Here is a list of the most well-known grape varieties in Australia used in making red wines:
Shiraz
This grape variety is thought to have originated in Iran. However, more recent studies showed it came from France. Shiraz is popular for its peppery flavour and plum colour. Wine producers from Australia were able to bring out the maximum potential of this grape.
When deep ripe, Shiraz develops coffee, chocolate, and port flavours.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Known as the monarch of all grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon has been used in France as Claret wines foundation. In the 1830s, it first appeared in Australia when somebody planted it with other varieties. This grape is world renowned and most successful in the Margaret River and Yarra Valley wine regions.
Its flavours vary from herbaceous, tea, capsicum, blackberry, caraway, coffee, and aniseed.
Merlot
Merlot is a member of the Cabernet family. It is one of the most promising in Australia’s wine industry. It can ripen a week ahead of the others in its tribe making Merlot a worthy investment.
Merlot wines have varied flavours depending on its ripeness. It can exude plum, chocolate, black olive, and licorice flavours.
Pinot Noir
This wine is lighter in colour compared to other red wines. However, if its tannin and acid perfectly blended with each other, it can be herbaceous and meaty. Try the Pinot Noirs produced from Yarra Valley and you’ll definitely love it. One more good thing about this wine is that you can serve it at room temperature or deliciously hilled.
Grenache
Before the Shiraz, Grenache was the grape variety widely produced in Australia. In the Barossa Valley wine region, Grenache is being blended with other varieties such as Shiraz and Mourvedre. This is now becoming popular as the “GSM Blend”.
There are more grape varieties that can come and dominate the wine industry. But one thing is for sure, Australia is ever ready to welcome them and maximize their potential and eventually pave the way for being world renowned.
