Australian Wine Country?
Sep 28th, 2006, 02:35 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Australian Wine Country?
We live in Northern Cal and we love visiting Napa Valley and the surrounding wine country. My boyfriend also loves Tuscany and has spent a lot of time there visiting wineries, etc. He is a serious wine collector (over 1000 bottles!). This said, we are contemplating visiting Aussie wine country but do not know any one who has been there, nor do we know much about Australian wines - and, with our other experiences with some of the greatest wine regions in the world, wondering how it will compare? We love to travel and are open to any new "wine" experiences! Any opinions on this? Any ideas/opinions welcome! Thanks in advance!
Sep 28th, 2006, 02:53 PM
#2
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You might find these links useful as an intro to Australian wines.
http://www.wineaustralia.com/global/...egionsOverview
www.australianwines.com
http://www.wineaustralia.com/global/...egionsOverview
www.australianwines.com
Sep 28th, 2006, 03:08 PM
#3
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry, had a glich with the "paste" ..
try
http://www.wineaustralia.com/global/...rview.aspx?p=5
If you google "Australian Wine Regions" you will see a selection of sites to get you started.
As we are such a large country, you might like to have an overview so that you can select the area of greatest wine/touring interest to you.
Each of our States has its own distinct wine regions, with most having at least a few within easy driving access from the capital city.
try
http://www.wineaustralia.com/global/...rview.aspx?p=5
If you google "Australian Wine Regions" you will see a selection of sites to get you started.
As we are such a large country, you might like to have an overview so that you can select the area of greatest wine/touring interest to you.
Each of our States has its own distinct wine regions, with most having at least a few within easy driving access from the capital city.
Sep 28th, 2006, 04:41 PM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another good site is http://www.winediva.com.au/
for an good look at our wine regions, this is a good book if you can get your hands on it - james halliday wine atlas of australia. http://www.vinodiversity.com/james-h...ine-atlas.html
another place to look for a great overview is wikipediea
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_wine
I think you'll find that aus wines do compare well internationally and I can tell you that you would have an absolute wow of a time visiting the wine regions here - there's great wine and some beautiful locations.
for an good look at our wine regions, this is a good book if you can get your hands on it - james halliday wine atlas of australia. http://www.vinodiversity.com/james-h...ine-atlas.html
another place to look for a great overview is wikipediea
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_wine
I think you'll find that aus wines do compare well internationally and I can tell you that you would have an absolute wow of a time visiting the wine regions here - there's great wine and some beautiful locations.
Sep 30th, 2006, 08:11 AM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Qual!
I'm also in Northern CA (the Bay Area - Menlo Park), sadly, my wine "closet" doesn't hold as many bottles as your boyfriend's!
I also love Tuscany and spent a week there last September (we've got alot in common)!
You don't say when you're going, but it's time to start "research"! Go to Trader Joe's and look at their selection of Australian wines; granted, you'll find wines that they've never HEARD of in Oz, ("Stump Jump" is a favorite of mine), and sad to report, you'll also find that you can get them cheaper at Trader Joe's than when you're IN Oz! (taxes).
We get the wines from the larger wineries in Australia; you'll easily be able to find something by Penfolds or Lindeman's. Bev Mo is another good place and has a good selection.
As far as comparing Australia's wine region to others, the Hunter Valley will compare alot more to Tuscany than it will to Napa. (Think Napa 30 years ago maybe). The wineries are spread out, they don't charge for tastings; it's just not as commerical. (and that's a GOOD thing!)
Speaking of being spread out, I'd suggest spending the night (or more if you have the time) as between the driving to/from (and being mindful of DUI), tasting, exploring, you can really only visit 3-4 in a day. Another option would be to take a tour and let someone else do the driving!
Hope this is helpful!
Regards,
Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist
I'm also in Northern CA (the Bay Area - Menlo Park), sadly, my wine "closet" doesn't hold as many bottles as your boyfriend's!
I also love Tuscany and spent a week there last September (we've got alot in common)!
You don't say when you're going, but it's time to start "research"! Go to Trader Joe's and look at their selection of Australian wines; granted, you'll find wines that they've never HEARD of in Oz, ("Stump Jump" is a favorite of mine), and sad to report, you'll also find that you can get them cheaper at Trader Joe's than when you're IN Oz! (taxes).
We get the wines from the larger wineries in Australia; you'll easily be able to find something by Penfolds or Lindeman's. Bev Mo is another good place and has a good selection.
As far as comparing Australia's wine region to others, the Hunter Valley will compare alot more to Tuscany than it will to Napa. (Think Napa 30 years ago maybe). The wineries are spread out, they don't charge for tastings; it's just not as commerical. (and that's a GOOD thing!)
Speaking of being spread out, I'd suggest spending the night (or more if you have the time) as between the driving to/from (and being mindful of DUI), tasting, exploring, you can really only visit 3-4 in a day. Another option would be to take a tour and let someone else do the driving!
Hope this is helpful!
Regards,
Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist
Sep 30th, 2006, 05:05 PM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Greetings QualMod
We visited Adelaide last year and took 2 private wine tours with Joseph Heyes.
http://www.culturaltourism.com.au/index.htm
We can't say enough about the fantastic tours Joseph provided us. We have friends in Adelaide (we are from Florida) and had booked 1 tour and booked a 2nd tour at the end of our first day. Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale
Joseph also offered some non-wine sites to visit which we agreed to and are very glad we did. Whispering wall was one of those little side tours which we believe is something you shouldn't miss if in the area.
While down under you might want to consider poping over to New Zealand and take a wine tour in Wahiki Island. We were there 3 years ago and don't remember the tour company name, but they were recommended to us by the Auckland Hilton Staff and was an excellent tour.
No matter where you go, Oz is a wonderful and exciting Holiday location. One that we have found ourselves returning to every year.
Cheers
Steve and Andrea
We visited Adelaide last year and took 2 private wine tours with Joseph Heyes.
http://www.culturaltourism.com.au/index.htm
We can't say enough about the fantastic tours Joseph provided us. We have friends in Adelaide (we are from Florida) and had booked 1 tour and booked a 2nd tour at the end of our first day. Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale
Joseph also offered some non-wine sites to visit which we agreed to and are very glad we did. Whispering wall was one of those little side tours which we believe is something you shouldn't miss if in the area.
While down under you might want to consider poping over to New Zealand and take a wine tour in Wahiki Island. We were there 3 years ago and don't remember the tour company name, but they were recommended to us by the Auckland Hilton Staff and was an excellent tour.
No matter where you go, Oz is a wonderful and exciting Holiday location. One that we have found ourselves returning to every year.
Cheers
Steve and Andrea
Oct 3rd, 2006, 08:27 AM
#7
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Three Big Wine areas are Hunter Valley which is just north of Sydney and the Coonawarra and the Barossa in South Australia. Barossa is probably the more famous of the three and it is conveniently located about an hour northeast of Adelaide.
Oct 3rd, 2006, 05:32 PM
#8
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You'll be shocked at the quality of the wine in Australia. (I'm a N. Calif resident as well) In two trips we've visited a few of the major regions (Barossa, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, and Hunter Valley) and loved each region. You can stay in a house in what you'd pay for a dinky room in Napa. Excellent restaurants abound. You really can't go wrong in any of the major wine regions. The Hunter is probably the easiest but the Barossa and Adelaide area will give you more choices.
Oct 4th, 2006, 01:48 PM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Weird, I had a message that I swear I posted but it's not there now.
Check out the Margaret River area in Western Australia, south of Perth. The best wines in Australia come from there, lesser-known but more interesting.
Also Pinot Noir from Tasmania and the Yarra Valley in Victoria (near Melbourne), the only areas cool enough to grow it. The results are mixed, as Pinot Noir usually is, but when it's good it's very good.
Oz Clarke's Australian Wine Companion is another good book.
Check out the Margaret River area in Western Australia, south of Perth. The best wines in Australia come from there, lesser-known but more interesting.
Also Pinot Noir from Tasmania and the Yarra Valley in Victoria (near Melbourne), the only areas cool enough to grow it. The results are mixed, as Pinot Noir usually is, but when it's good it's very good.
Oz Clarke's Australian Wine Companion is another good book.
Oct 5th, 2006, 03:42 AM
#10
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Barosssa is great, but also try McClaren Vale and if you like big reds Coonawarra which is about a 3 hour drive from Adelaide. Hunter Valley is very commercial and close to Sydney but nice to visit. In Victoria if you like fortifieds and reds try the North East eg around Rutherglen. A new emerging area in Victoria is the King Valley - lot of Italian style varieties. My favourites - Rockfords and Bethany in the Barossa. Cofields and Pfieffers in Rutherglen and Sal Zottos which is in the King Valley. Enjoy
Oct 5th, 2006, 09:31 PM
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wow! I hadn't checked the posts for a few days - and this is great! Very exciting and thanks to all of you. Excellent information. I will start the research. Good to get 'expert' opinions. We are into the 'big reds' espcially my bf and I also like Rhine and Pinot Grigio wines...I was in Oz once before up at the GBR and had an amazing white wine, I sadly cannot remember now. It is good to know the wineries are spread out. Is it good to rent a car and leisurely drive around do you think? Or is a tour the best way to go? We like to be a bit more independent. Also it is good to know that the lodging is less expensive than Napa (but most places are less $ than Napa aren't they!).
Thanks again! QualMod
Thanks again! QualMod
Oct 8th, 2006, 05:22 PM
#12
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
with regard to driving vs tour, i'd say it depends on how long you are planning to stay and how much you want to drink! If you had 2.5-3days in one place, eg the hunter, i'd suggest doing a tour one day (you'd see 5-6 wineries on a one day tour) then drive the rest of the time. I've been to several wine regions and only done 1 actual tour. I do take the james halliday wine companion with me though and use that as a guide. I've done it with one other and we take turns to be the driver - one drives one day and only tastes a little and then the next day it's swap over. this works well particularly if you have similar tastes in wine as you can trust their tastes to buy.
Im not sure how it works other places but you'll find that some wineries charge for tasting and some don't. most that charge for tasting are redeemable on purchase.
for 'new' experiences, I cannot recommend highly enough the blessed cheese wine and cheese trail at mclaren vale, it's fantastic! http://www.blessedcheese.com.au/index2.htm
also, it's in the middle of nowhere, but banrock station is amazing - check it out at http://www.banrockstation.com/regions.asp - they've done an amazing job and revitalising the whole area. it's a beautiful spot.
I'd also give a big vote for the rutherglen area, low key, fantastic fortifieds. mmmm, tokay .....
Depending on what time you come, you'll often find a lot of great events are held in the wine country as well. For example in the hunter over the next month there's jazz in the vines, carole king concert, diana ross concert and opera in the vineyards. Also, there's this series www.adayonthegreen.com.au , which is always popular.
Im not sure how it works other places but you'll find that some wineries charge for tasting and some don't. most that charge for tasting are redeemable on purchase.
for 'new' experiences, I cannot recommend highly enough the blessed cheese wine and cheese trail at mclaren vale, it's fantastic! http://www.blessedcheese.com.au/index2.htm
also, it's in the middle of nowhere, but banrock station is amazing - check it out at http://www.banrockstation.com/regions.asp - they've done an amazing job and revitalising the whole area. it's a beautiful spot.
I'd also give a big vote for the rutherglen area, low key, fantastic fortifieds. mmmm, tokay .....
Depending on what time you come, you'll often find a lot of great events are held in the wine country as well. For example in the hunter over the next month there's jazz in the vines, carole king concert, diana ross concert and opera in the vineyards. Also, there's this series www.adayonthegreen.com.au , which is always popular.
Oct 11th, 2006, 11:05 PM
#13
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,092
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Heard recently that there are over 2,500 wine growers in Australia now, and that like other years, we now have another wine glut.
Some very interesting wines are now coming out the Riverina district in NSW.
Some very interesting wines are now coming out the Riverina district in NSW.
Oct 13th, 2006, 06:22 AM
#14
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would agree with the suggestion to visit the Margaret River area south of Perth. The best wine I've ever purchased in OZ was from the Leeuwin winery. I took a tour to that area, from Perth, bought a few bottles, and DH and I ended up buying a couple of cases once I brought it home and we tasted it! DH is the wine expert, but I have always made my OZ trips alone (6 trips so far), so I do the wine buying on my own.
I've also visited McLaren Vale near Adelaide and enjoyed that area (but prefer the Leeuwin wine).
Leeuwin prices have pretty much gone through the roof since I was there... but for someone who collects fine wine, this would be a nice addition IMO. We enjoyed the art series cab.
Carol
I've also visited McLaren Vale near Adelaide and enjoyed that area (but prefer the Leeuwin wine).
Leeuwin prices have pretty much gone through the roof since I was there... but for someone who collects fine wine, this would be a nice addition IMO. We enjoyed the art series cab.
Carol
Oct 13th, 2006, 08:34 AM
#15
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi
We will be visiting the Barossa and Adelaide in November.
Last year it was Rutherglen area which was great and we brought back 4 bottles from Brown Brothers and others using carry-on luggage.
We are Canadians but must transit through LA.
Does anyone have suggestions for carrying back wine in checked luggage?
We will be visiting the Barossa and Adelaide in November.
Last year it was Rutherglen area which was great and we brought back 4 bottles from Brown Brothers and others using carry-on luggage.
We are Canadians but must transit through LA.
Does anyone have suggestions for carrying back wine in checked luggage?
Oct 13th, 2006, 05:26 PM
#16
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RickRick,
suggestion for carrying wine in checked in luggage: DON'T.
Not only do you run the risk of losing (either by theft or breakage) your lovely wine, and ruining your clothes (especially if it's RED); you'll spend your flight worrying about EXACTLY that!
I normally don't bring wine back from Oz, but after sampling a delicious red in the Barossa, and knowing I could never find it at home, I succumbed and brought back two bottles. What I did: took some of my dirty clothes, wrapped them around the 2 bottles and put them in my backpack (carry on).
If you're planning on bringing back more; get one of those 3 bottle carriers they'll provide you with and take that as well.
And, if you're planning on more than that, well, then, you're just a hopeless wino! No, seriously, then you'd have to have a case shipped home, which is quite expensive.
Hope this is helpful!
Melodie
A fellow wino
suggestion for carrying wine in checked in luggage: DON'T.
Not only do you run the risk of losing (either by theft or breakage) your lovely wine, and ruining your clothes (especially if it's RED); you'll spend your flight worrying about EXACTLY that!
I normally don't bring wine back from Oz, but after sampling a delicious red in the Barossa, and knowing I could never find it at home, I succumbed and brought back two bottles. What I did: took some of my dirty clothes, wrapped them around the 2 bottles and put them in my backpack (carry on).
If you're planning on bringing back more; get one of those 3 bottle carriers they'll provide you with and take that as well.
And, if you're planning on more than that, well, then, you're just a hopeless wino! No, seriously, then you'd have to have a case shipped home, which is quite expensive.
Hope this is helpful!
Melodie
A fellow wino
