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A Guide to Australian Wines

The days of Australia only being associated with one drink, beer, have long gone. These days the country is one of the biggest wine producers in the world. It has a thriving export market and more than 500 million litres every year is destined for domestic dining tables.

Hamiltons Removals has been organising international removals to Australia for many years. For those thinking of a move Down Under, here is our guide to a few of the major varieties of wine, where the particular types of grape are grown, and the type of food they go with best.

Chardonnay

Although grapes are grown across Australia, the southern states are most suitable for wine production because of the cool climate. Chardonnay is no exception, with the Yarra Valley near Melbourne and the Hunter Valley near Sydney particularly famous for vineyards producing this white wine which is usually noted for its fruity flavour. If you are having a barbecue, then it is the ideal accompaniment to grilled fish and vegetables. Sparkling varieties of Chardonnay are produced in the Adelaide Hills and Geelong regions.

Shiraz

This full-bodied red wine is produced from the Syrah grape, which was brought over from Europe in the 1830s. Now it is the most widely planted red grape variety in the whole country, and across the world only France is a bigger producer. Cooler regions like Western Australia’s Margaret River produce Shiraz with less alcohol content, making it a good partner for lamb dishes. Hunter Valley Shiraz goes well with specialist meats like venison or kangaroo. Sparkling varieties are suited to barbecued meat like ribs and sausages, but the more traditional varieties are good partners for stews and casseroles.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Australia’s second most widely planted red grape variety, larger producers often blend it with Shiraz or use grapes from different states. This means there is a wide variety on the market. The Coonawarra region in South Australia, and the Clare Valley, about 60 miles north of Adelaide, both produce Cabernet Sauvignon with a fruity flavour, while the nearby Barossa Valley specialises in a more full-bodied bottle. It is often served with lamb dishes.

Riesling

The Clare Valley and the Canberra district are both important areas of production for this white wine which was also brought to Australia in the 1830s. Until the 1990s, when it was overtaken by Chardonnay, it was the most widely planted white grape variety in the country. Noted for its citrus flavours, it also goes well with barbecued fish and is also an ideal partner for Asian food and chicken.

Don’t Forget the Beer!

Beer was overtaken by wine in the 1970s as the country’s most popular alcoholic drink. However, no barbecue should be without it as it remains an iconic Australian beverage, and the country is still among the top 20 biggest consumers in the world. The average Australian drinks around 75 litres of beer per year. The commonest form is lager, with the world-famous Foster’s brewery dating back to the 1880s. However, these days the market is changing, with the younger generation increasingly preferring locally-produced craft beers which have a more distinctive taste.

Hamiltons Removals has years of expertise in international removals to Australia. We arrange moves across the country to cities including Canberra, Adelaide, Sydney and Perth. We also organise commercial or domestic moves to Europe and a wide range of worldwide destinations. Click above for a free online quote and to find out more about our services.