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White Grape Varieties
Chardonnay
-
is one of the most popular wines
in the world, and is the main white grape variety grown for
commercial production. Chardonnays tend to have ripe melon
flavours if they are grown in warmer climates and cooler
regions are famous for peach and citrus characteristics and
generally matured in oak barrels. Winemakers will often
blend Chardonnay grapes from different regions to create a
distinct style of wine and when blended with Pinot Noir
grapes Chardonnay makes a great sparkling white.
Gewürztraminer
its aromatic with pungent floral
fragrances, light gold in colour and the intense floral
overtones can often be overpowering to the uninitiated.
Often mixed with Riesling and is a popular accompaniment to
spicy Asian dishe
Pinot Gris / Pinot Grigio
is a white variety traditionally grown in Alsace in
northeast France and in Italy, where it is called Pinot
Grigio. In the same way Chardonnay is famous in Australia as
a reliable full-flavoured white wine, in Europe Pinot Grigio
from Italy and Pinot Gris from France are known for their
reliability - wines made from this grape aren't as rich as
Chardonnay but they are flavoursome nonetheless. Pinot Gris
is not a relative of Pinot Noir (the 'Pinot' in the name
refers only to the pine cone shape of the grape). Pinot Gris
generally has a medium-bodied flavour with a tendency to be
crisp, steely and refreshing, often with a spicy citrus
aroma.Traditionally from Germany, it’s a fruity white wine
and is often mixed with other sweet varieties to produce a
classic accompaniment to Thai cuisine and other spicy
dishes.
Semillon -
is a classic French wine, now grown
right across Australia. Semillon ripens early in the season
and produces wines which are full-flavored, rich and
aromatic. Semillon is often blended with other varieties
such as Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay to take advantage of
the strengths of each variety.
Sauvignon -
Blanc suits colder climates such as
Victoria, Tasmania and New Zealand, is generally consumed
soon after vintage. Semillon is regularly mixed with
Sauvignon Blanc, producing an easy-drinking accompaniment to
seafood.
Verdelho -
originally from Portugal, Verdelho is
often made into fortified wine (Douro Port) in its European
homeland but here in Australia it is mainly turned into dry,
white table wine. The grape isn't grown widely in this
country and there are only small plantings in Western
Australia, New South Wales and South Australia. The varietal
character of Verdelho changes from herbaceous, grassy and
spice through to more tropical flavours of pineapple, melon,
tropical fruits, guava, honeysuckle and fruit salad.
Red Grape Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon -
is another classic French wine which has
taken off in Australia. Cabernet Sauvignon varieties are
medium to full-bodied and are usually well structured and
elegant. Many Australian wine makers blend Shiraz and
Cabernet Sauvignon with excellent results. Grenache grows
well in warmer climates and produces soft wines with round,
perfumed flavours. Winemakers often blend Grenache with
Shiraz to create a more balanced wine. Chilled Grenache
blends are a great accompaniment for spicy foods.
Merlot -
is softer on the palate than Cabernet
Sauvignon and Shiraz and has the advantage of being rich,
but only moderately tannic so you can drink it soon after
vintage without offending your tongue. Merlot is often
blended with Cabernet Sauvignon to produce an easy drinking
red wine.
Petit Verdot -
produces deep, full-bodied wines with
spicy pepper flavours and characteristics, high tannins and
high alcohol content. The variety has traditionally been
used to add character to weaker reds and is often used the
same way spices are in cooking a little bit goes a
long way. Petit Verdot is often blended as only 1-3% of the
total wine to take advantage of its dominant
characteristics.
Pinot Noir -
grapes have thick skins and produce
wines which are light in colour, body and tannins. For this
reason Pinot Noir make fantastic sparkling wines and elegant
dry reds. Pinot Noir produces some of Australia’s greatest
sparkling wines when mixed with Chardonnay.
Shiraz -
is one of the most famous Australian
wine varieties, although the grape originates in the Middle
East and has been used by wine makers around the world for
centuries. Shiraz is a full-bodied wine with a dark crimson
colour and with rich, pepper and plum flavours. Most Shiraz
wines are matured in oak and many can be cellared for
decades. South Australia's Barossa Valley and the Hunter
valley in NSW are home to Australia’s best Shiraz
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