Five Great Australian Wines

I thought it was time I wrote about a few of my favourite new world wines. As I was lucky enough to live in Australia for three years on a work assignment what better place to start than our cousins down under.

As a self confessed Bordeaux addict I was forced to widen my wine horizons in Australia, if for no other reason that they charge huge amounts of tax on anything imported into the country. The effect of this being that a very average bottle of anything from France is equivalent in price to the national debt of a small African dictatorship.

With these financial constraints in mind I threw myself into the Australian wine industry with vigour and was resolutely determined to seek out the good stuff. What took place over the next three years was one of the best overall wine experiences I have had to date. Vineyard visits, wine making education, special tastings and some great wines that will live long in the memory. If ever you find yourself in Australia commit the list below to memory and try a bottle, you won’t be disappointed. You don’t even have to travel half way around the world as some are even available in the UK now. Go on, give them a go!

Yerringberg Chardonnay
The first wine I ordered in a restaurant when I arrived in Australia. A small winery in the Yarra Valley, Yerringberg produces a crisp Chardonnay that remains one of my favourites. Whenever I’m back in Melbourne I always order a bottle with dinner.

Penfolds Bin 707
Famous as one of Penfolds best and righty so as well. Australia’s best example of Cabernet Sauvignon. In a good year comparable to a good quality Bordeaux. A bottle was had one Christmas Day at the Observatory Hotel in Sydney. It made Christmas feel that bit more homely on the other side of the world.

Peter Lehman Stonewell
A Shiraz from the Barossa Valley. Dark, brooding and full. Everything you would want from a good quality Shiraz. This was one of my favourite reds when I was in Australia. I sent a case home from Australia only to come home and find you can now buy it in Waitrose.

Lakes Folly Chardonnay
Lakes Folly is a small winery in the Hunter Valley that produces one of Australia’s best Chardonnays. It’s so good that you will struggle to find any in a good year. If you are able to source some its worth enjoying it with something special, it’s that good.

Leuwin Art Series Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay
Everyone knows about the quality of the Art Series wines from Western Australia. I really enjoyed the citrusy freshness of the Sauvignon Blanc. It was my perfect summer day wine. The Chardonnay produced here is a serious wine which develops a lovely caramel like quality as it ages. A great wine to accompany any fine dining experience