With Australian wine, there’s always something more to discover. Our winemakers are great innovators, successfully introducing new varieties to keep our wine scene inspiring . In this handy Grape Guide by our Tasting Panel you'll learnhow the number of grape varieties in Australia has exploded and pick up some quick facts about 44 of them We guarantee that this new knowledge will enhance your enjoyment of each selection you receive from Wine Selectors .
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Body refers to the weight and consistency in the mouth due to alcohol, tannin extract and fruit
Tannins come from the skin, seeds and stalks of the grapes . They are a drying textural element rather than a flavour
A wine’s weight is key to matching it to food . Big, rich dishes need full-bodied reds and vice versa
Barbera is Italy's third most planted grape and comes from the Piedmont region
It arrived in Australia in the 1960s, but its growth in popularity is only recent
Moderate, continental type climates such as King Valley, Hunter Valley and McLaren Vale .
Rich or high fat food to match the acidity and tannins .
A solid traveller, Barbera grows well in many more places than its Piedmont siblings, Nebbiolo and Dolcetto
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In both France and Australia, Cabernet Franc is mainly used in blends and while it's not an alternative style, it's rare to see it as a straight variety The dishes below to match the higher acidity .
Cool to moderate climates such as Coonawarra, Yarra Valley, Margaret River, Great Southern and Adelaide Hills .
A Bordeaux variety, Cabernet arrived in Australia in 1824 in the James Busby collection and has turned out to be one of our great reds .
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to moderate climates such as Coonawarra and Margaret River .
Cabernet loves the ocean – all the world's best sites for it are
Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc are Cabernet Sauvignon's parents thanks to a chance crossing in 17th century France .
Dolcetto makes up the trio of reds from Piedmont, along with Barbera and Nebbiolo . While you might not be familiar with it, it's actually been grown in Australia for over 100 years . Pizza and pasta dishes to match its soft, easydrinking nature is nicknamed the LITTLE SWEET ONE. Not because it's sweet, but because it has lower acidity than most Italian reds
Hailing from the south of France, Durif is now most prolific in Australia and California . It has great ageing potential and blends beautifully with Shiraz Richer, high fat foods to match the high tannins .
Warm to hot climates such as Rutherglen, Barossa Valley and Riverland .
One of DURIF'S parents is Syrah (Shiraz), which is why it's called PETITE SIRAH.
Gamay is thought to date back as far as the 1360s in the French village of the same name . Its full name is Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc and it can be a very seductive wine
Cool climates only, such as Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley and Beechworth
Pinot Noir • Nebbiolo • Dolcetto
IS A WONDERFUL LITTLE SECRET for Pinot Noir lovers seeking to explore a similar style . A picnic or lunch spread
The Spanish Graciano is prized for the beautiful colour it adds to blends A grape of many names, it's known as Tinta Miuda in Portugal, Morrastel in France and Graciana in Argentina
Rich meats for the high alcohol and low acidity
Moderate to warm climates such as Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Langhorne Creek .
is used in blends with Tempranillo, traditionally Most famously in Rioja.
Having claims to its origins in both France and Spain, Grenache is most famously known in Australia as part of a blend with Shiraz and Mourvèdre, but also makes a very appealing straight varietal . Game and light dishes for the high alcohol and low acidity
Even in its northern Italian region of Alto Adige, Lagrein is considered rare . In Australia, it now has a small presence, produced by about 40 wineries
Warm to hot climates such as Adelaide Hills, Heathcote, King Valley and Langhorne Creek .
Malbec was originally planted in Australia in the 19th century, but the clones were poor quality . Most growers replaced them in the 20th century, transforming its reputation
Moderate climates such as Clare Valley, Langhorne Creek and Margaret River
• Petit Verdot • Shiraz
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Mourvèdre
Big flavours for the high tannins and robust structure
Did you know? ARGENTINA has made Malbec its own . However, it originates from Bordeaux and surrounding regions Malbec
A major variety of the Rhône region, Mourvèdre is a tannic red that loves to be where it's warm . You might have tried it in a Rosé or blended with Grenache and Shiraz .
• Cabernet • Shiraz
Moderate
Mourvèdre is a
In France, Merlot is a key to some of its finest wines, but it wasn't introduced to Australia until the 1960s . Given its soft texture, Merlot is often considered a good red choice for white wine drinkers
cooked foods thanks to the
and
Nearly every Australian wine region . Cool to moderate climates are
Did you know?
Merlot is responsible for one of the most EXPENSIVE WINES in the world, Château Petrus from the Bordeaux region of Pomerol
Dark, rich, intense and brooding, Montepulciano is most commonly grown in Italy’s Abruzzo region No surprise given the Italian passion for hearty cuisine, it’s very food-friendly
Cool to warm climates such as Adelaide Hills, Barossa and Riverland (a very versatile variety)
for the
and
Nebbiolo is another one of Italy's Piedmont varieties While it's difficult to grow, Australian winemakers are crafting some stellar, award-winning examples
Cool to moderate climates such as King Valley, McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills .
High fat dishes that will be balanced by the high tannins and acidity .
Translating as "black grape of Avola", Nero d'Avola hails from the Italian town for which it's named . It didn't arrive in Australia until 1998 and while it's not widely known, it's proving to be a delicious drink
Rich dishes that will be balanced by the tannins and high acidity
Moderate to warm climates such as Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Riverland, Heathcote and Murray Darling .
Nebbiolo is named after the Italian word for fog (nebbia) as the hills of Langhe in Piedmont are covered in fog during harvest . 10+ years
Though many centuries old and important as a blending wine, Nero has only recently emerged as a "HOT" MONOVARIETAL.
Petit Verdot translates to 'little green one' in its French home because it can struggle to ripen . However, that makes it perfect for Australia's warmer regions
It’s possible that a clone of Pinot Noir came to Australia in 1788, but it was definitely part of the collection of vines that James Busby established in the Hunter Valley in the early 1800s
Cool climates only, such as Tasmania and Yarra Valley .
Known in Australia more by its Puglian name of Primitivo, this robust red can have a very high alcohol content, sometimes as high as 17%! In America, it's also made into a white wine called White Zin .
Warmer climates such as Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Rutherglen .
Smokey, spicy dishes for the sweet fruit and spicy tannins
Although from Europe, Primitivo has become much more popular in the USA!
In its Italian home in the Umbria region, there are now only 250 hectares of Sagrantino grown, but it is a grape of great renown . It has been grown in Australia since 2000 .
High fat foods for a rich, tannic, savoury
Warm to hot climates such as Adelaide Hills, Heathcote, Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and King Valley .
Sagrantino is one of the MOST TANNIC red varieties in the world, which HELPS WITH AGEING. S AG RAN TIN O
The name Sangiovese comes from a Latin term meaning “the blood of Jove”, fuelling theories it has been around since Roman times . It is best known as the main grape in Tuscany’s Chianti wines .
Shiraz is widely perceived as Australia’s premier grape variety . The vast array of regions, soil types and Australian microclimates produces a broad range of expressions and styles
continental type climates such as
and
A variety of dishes like spicy Asian thanks to its fruit depth .
Grown all over the world, the most famous region for Shiraz is Hermitage in France's Rhône Valley . Barossa Valley, Eden Valley, McLaren Vale and Hunter Valley with different climates creating different styles (very versatile) .
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Sangiovese
Australian plantings of Tempranillo are increasing and thanks to its attractive colour, juicy, rustic fruit profile and food-friendly nature, it's popular with those keen to expand their vinous horizons . Tapas dishes to match with the savoury characters
Moderate to warm climates such as Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale .
Tempranillo is the diminutive of the Spanish "temprano", meaning "early", as it ripens several weeks earlier than most Spanish red grapes
This Portuguese red, whose full name is Touriga Nacional, was first planted in South Australia, but can now be found in regions in Victoria, New South Wales and even Queensland . Richer, high fat foods to match the richness and high tannins
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Tempranillo • Shiraz
Moderate to warm climates such as McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Clare Valley and Riverland .
Did you know?
Touriga is the key variety in the production of Port in the Douro
There are a couple of theories about the origins of Albariño One is that it is closely related to the French grape Petit Manseng and the other is it's a Riesling clone from Alsace
Body refers to the weight and consistency in the mouth due to alcohol and fruit
Sweetness refers to the amount of residual sugar in a white wine Today's table whites are fairly dry with only dessert styles really being sweet . A wine’s weight is key to matching it to food . Delicate food flavours need a delicate wine and vice versa
Cool to moderate climates like Mornington Peninsula, King Valley, Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale
Richer foods for the savoury texture
Original plantings of ALBARIÑO IN AUSTRALIA created controversy as they were later revealed to be Savagnin – a very different variety!
Crisp and floral, Arneis is a white that Italian winemakers often blend with Nebbiolo to add a touch of sweetness and perfume In Australia it’s proving tough to grow, but an emerging hit . Lighter flavours for the soft acidity and texture .
Cool to moderate climates such as Adelaide Hills, King Valley and Mornington Peninsula .
Arneis translates to LITTLE RASCAL in Piemontese, as it is regarded as a somewhat DIFFICULT variety TO GROW
Chardonnay arrived in Australia as part of the James Busby collection in 1832 and is now grown in every wine region in Australia, but it’s the cooler regions that tend to produce finer, elegant Chardonnays that are complex, balanced and longer lasting .
Flavoursome white meats for the complexity
Cool climates such as Margaret River, Adelaide Hills, Yarra Valley and Tasmania, as well as the Hunter Valley (very versatile)
Modern Chardonnay is ALL ABOUT BALANCE and refreshment rather than heavy oak
Chenin Blanc reached fame in wines made in France's Loire Valley In Australia, it's mostly planted in Western Australia . Having a fairly neutral palate, it has the potential to really express its terroir . The foods below for the quite neutral but textural palate
to moderate climates such as McLaren Vale and Margaret River . It thrives in
• Pinot Gris • Riesling Similar weight to
with
From the Avellino hills, east of Napoli, Fiano thrives in warm, dry conditions . Its style is in between Semillon and Viognier, and it looks set to take off as Australia's next big white variety!
Did you know?
Moderate to warm climates such as McLaren Vale, Murray Darling, Heathcote and the Hunter Valley
Chenin also makes SPARKLING, DRY, OFF DRY and SWEET WINE STYLES.
• Pinot Grigio
Semillon • Unoaked Chardonnay
Rich, creamy dishes for the savoury texture
Did you know?
Fiano can develop a SWEETNESS that makes it EXTREMELY ATTRACTIVE to BEES, which is why it's called vitis apiana – 'the vine beloved of bees '
Gewürztraminer is an aromatic white grape that is recognisable by its heady, aromatic scent . It arrived in Australia with James Busby in 1832 and was grown and embraced by the early German settlers
Viognier • Verdelho
Grüner Veltliner is very similar to Riesling, but with just a little more richness and a distinctively peppery aroma and flavour, however, it can look more like Chardonnay when aged
to moderate climates such as Adelaide Hills, New England and Tasmania
Spicy dishes for the
and lively texture
Grüner Veltliner is
Marsanne hails from France's Northern Rhone and Hermitage regions and is one of world's rarest grape varieties . Its appeal lies in its character, complexity, food-friendliness and great ageing potential . Seafood, especially shellfish, which loves its high acidity
Moderate to warm climates such as Nagambie Lakes and Barossa Valley . It thrives in honeysuckle lemongrass
Made from the Muscat grape and beautifully fragrant, Moscato is a fun apéritif, but also very versatile . It's a light choice with brunch, lunch and dessert, or as a base for cocktails or punch . Soft cheeses and fruit love its
All moderate to warm climates such as Heathcote, King Valley, Yarra Valley and Rutherglen to name a few
Muscat Blanc, à Petits Grains, is one of the OLDEST GRAPE VARIETIES
The Muscadelle grape found its Australian home in Rutherglen, where it's crafted into deliciously big, sweet and definitely more-ish fortified Topaque by industry leaders like Campbells of Rutherglen
climates such as Rutherglen
cheeses and desserts for the sultana-like sweetness
A rare grape variety originating from Juracon in France, Petit Manseng can be made into a dry wine, but is famed for its late harvest styles . It's deliciously aromatic and in Australia, is grown for its floral fruity flavours along with its high acidity
and
for the
Muscadelle is a little known white grape from BORDEAUX, where it's BLENDED with the region's white and sweet wines
Moderate to warm climates such as King Valley and Riverland
Did you know?
Petit Manseng is noted as the only wine used to BAPTISE a king of France: Henry IV, the founder of the Bourbon dynasty, in his native Navarre .
Fantastically food-friendly and packed full of juicy stonefruit characters, Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are the same grape variety, but made in two different wine styles . Pinot Gris is richer, fuller and plumper, while Pinot Grigio is fresh, zesty and racy Mediterranean style dishes for the crisp acidity and juicy texture .
Cool to moderate climates such as King Valley, Yarra Valley and
Riesling is a late ripening, aromatic white with high levels of acidity . Generally speaking, Australian Riesling is drier than German, Alsatian and New Zealand examples
Cool to moderate climates such as Clare Valley, Eden Valley, Great Southern and Tasmania
Seafood to match with the high acidity .
Riesling wines can range in style from bone dry to decadently sweet GERMAN RIESLINGS are some of the MOST EXPENSIVE WHITE WINES in the world
Roussanne hails from the Northern Rhône and its name comes from 'roux', French for 'russet', which describes the reddish-gold colour of its skin when ripe
Moderate to warm climates such as Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Rutherglen .
• Chardonnay • Marsanne
Australian Sauvignon Blanc runs the gamut of flavour from herbal, grassy, sour citrus and gooseberry, to passionfruit and tropical fruit characters Structurally these wines can be light in body and crisp or made in a more textural, barrel fermented style .
Creamy sauces for the rich texture
Cool climates such as Adelaide Hills and Orange .
The UNIQUENESS of AUSTRALIAN
Sauvignon Blanc is its TROPICAL FRUIT, BALANCE and TEXTURE, making it a more approachable style
Rousanne is more famous for
Identical to Traminer, Savagnin hails from the French region of Jura and was planted in Australia as Albariño only for its real identity to be discovered by a visiting French botantist All wines thought to be Albariño are now labelled as Savagnin .
flavours to match the savoury texture
Cool to moderate climates such as Mornington Peninsula, Barossa Valley, King Valley and McLaren Vale
AUSTRALIA is one of the LARGEST PRODUCERS of
as a dry table wine .
Semillon is renowned for its incredible ageing ability . When young it's lovely and crisp with plenty of citrus aromas, while age brings complex toast, vanilla and honey flavours, creating depth and richness .
Warmer climates such as the Hunter Valley and Barossa Valley .
Not only can Semillon be made into a
it makes some of the
A high-yielding variety, Trebbiano originated in the South-Eastern Mediterranean where it still has extensive plantings and is often blended with other white varieties .
• Semillon • Marsanne • Riesling Warm climates such as Rutherglen and Riverina .
Verdelho came to Australia in the 1820s and was used in the production of fortified wines . It now produces modern, fruit-driven, dry white table wines that are fresh, tropical in style and offer great value .
for the
Also know as Ugni Blanc, Trebbiano is the KEY VARIETY in COGNAC and ARMAGNAC.
Most famously grown on the Italian island of Sardinia, it makes perfect sense that Vermentino suits Australia's warm climate, especially that of McLaren Vale . Styles range from light and fresh to rich and textural
to warm climates giving different characteristics Grown increasingly in
Australia’s diverse climate results in a broad range of Viognier styles, from elegant and fragrant to a luscious, full-bodied white wine It's also blended with Shiraz to give further complexity and fragrance
to moderate climates such as Barossa Valley, Eden Valley and Adelaide Hills
came close to EXTINCTION in the 1960s, but was saved by Yalumba and a number of Californian wineries who gave it a new lease on
Use this quick guide to make sure you choose the right red wine for the occasion Does it call for a lighter-bodied drop with lovely soft tannins like Pinot Noir? Or are you getting together with lovers of seriously big reds like Mourvèdre?
Pinpoint exactly which white wines your friends will love with this handy guide If they're a sweeter tooth, perhaps choose a Moscato But if they like their whites with plenty of body, Chardonnay is the number one choice