GRAPES & WINE

The grape variety used to make wine is the single most important factor in how the wine ultimately tastes. After that, climatic factors and winemaking practices also impact the style of the finished wine, so a single grape variety can taste wildly different depending on where it's grown and what happens to it in the winery.

The choice of grape variety is inextricably linked to where it is grown, since different types of grapes have different needs. Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc, for example, prefer cool climates; Syrah, on the other hand, likes the heat and, in fact, wouldn't ripen at all in a cool, northerly climate. The following is a short list of some of the main grape varieties and the styles of wine you can expect from them.

Red Grape Varieties

Cabernet Sauvignon

Perhaps the noblest of them all, Cabernet Sauvignon makes big, dense, structured red wines capable of long ageing. Both its aroma and taste are reminiscent of ripe blackcurrants with often, a hint of chocolate, cedar or mint.

Merlot

Where Cabernet Sauvignon is structured and firm, Merlot is more fleshy and lush. It can taste of ripe plums and chocolate and feels like velvet.

Shiraz/ Syrah

Here in Australia, Syrah is more commonly known as Shiraz. It produces rich, ripe voluptuous wines. It can display a range of flavors from leather to pepper and from violets to chocolate. Shiraz is always a crowd pleaser.

Pinot Noir

Smooth and silky Pinot Noir impresses with elegance rather than power. Flavors of strawberry, raspberry and cherry are common in young wines, becoming earthy and gamey as the wine matures. Pinot Noir does very well in the cooler climate areas of Australia.

White Grape Varieties

Chardonnay

Chardonnay grows successfully practically everywhere wine is made, so it's no surprise that it's so abundant and popular. The grape itself is relatively neutral and takes on its individual character from the climatic conditions where it is grown and from winemaking techniques. Oak plays a large role in how chardonnay tastes as the grape has a particular affinity for it. Warmer climate Chardonnays here in Australia can display lush, tropical fruit. How do you like your Chardonnay?

Sauvignon Blanc

A very distinctive grape variety giving very zesty, grassy, refreshing wines. Traditionally, the best examples have always come from the Loire region in France, where they are labeled by location rather than by grape variety, but in recent years Australia is earning quite a reputation with this grape. Here the wines are riper, more pungent and thoroughly irresistible. The above examples are pure, unoaked Sauvignon Blanc, but other areas use a little oak to soften the edges a little bit.

Riesling

An aromatic grape variety reminiscent of peaches and flowers in its youth, developing weight. Australia produces wonderfully refreshing Rieslings bursting with lime-juice.

Pinot Gris/ Pinot Grigio

A very popular grape variety known around the world as Pinot Gris. (Italians know it as Pinot Grigio). Its popularity is due in part to its essentially neutral character, giving it wide appeal and making it easy to sip and match with food.