It might be a wine lover’s dream to land in the beautiful vineyards of Italy and savour the country’s amazing wines and other delicacies. Why cross oceans when you have Italy a few miles away? King Valley in Victoria, synonymously pronounced as the ‘Little Italy’, is a cluster of many small and diverse sub-regions characterised by steep slopes, diverse soils and climates. Its fresh local produce, innovative wines and premium-gourmet food are a delight for every foodie. One of the most beautiful wine regions in Australia, it annually hosts the famous La Dolce Vita Wine & Food Festival in November that encapsulates a true Italian experience.
History of the King Valley
The italian influence in the region is no mystery as it has long been a home for Italian settlers. Though at present King Valley in Victoria is one of the most-popular wine regions, initially it was planted with tobacco. In 1970’s, the farming preferences changed and viticulture started flourishing here. Over the years, it became recognised as ‘Little Italy’ owing to the strong Italian influence.
A Walk Through the Vineyards of King Valley
A Valley of Kings, it reigns overs the land along King river spreading to the Victorian Alps. As a result the region witnesses varied topography and climatic conditions. The temperature is warm to hot around the valley floor. Said that, Australia’s highest grape growing area also lies in the same region.
The King Valley enjoys a diverse soil type. Its deep-red clay is considered to be the best and highly fertile soil. The colour of the soil may vary from grey to brown, but it has the same structure.
Must-Try Wines
The King Valley has earned Victoria a unique place in the Australian wine industry, with its very uncommon grape varieties. Leaving behind wines like Shiraz or Cab Sav (that are more commonly found in the country), the grape growers harvest Italian varieties like Sangiovese, Barbera and Nebbiolo. Glera is one of the most widely grown grape variety here, that is used in crafting the famous Italian sparkling wine – Prosecco. Also, the region is known for producing non-Italian origin wines like Merlot, Chardonnay and Riesling.
