Australia offers a diverse array of wines, ranging from bold reds to acidic whites. However, when it comes to Australian wine, one may think of [ yellow tail ], the bulk wine sensation that brought Australia to the common wine consumer. In fact, this brand was my introduction to the world of wines and was one of my very first favorites. One of the reasons it became such a popular wine was not because of the contents in the bottle, but because of the approachable price and cute rock wallaby on the label. No, it is not a kangaroo!

The marketing and distribution practices in Australia have often been referred to as very innovative. In fact, it is the birthplace of boxed wine, an easier, cheaper, production and distribution method compared to glass bottles. However, be there no misunderstanding, Australian winemakers know how to make bold, complex, astonishing wines in addition to the bulk wines that line the Australian sections in many standard US wine stores.

The primary grape grown in Australia is syrah, but it is referred as shiraz, even though they are genetically the same grape. The finest red wines from Australia exhibit intriguing notes of eucalyptus. Thanks to the eucalyptus tree, a native species, vineyards that grow close in proximity have 1,8-cineole, the compound that gives rise to eucalyptus aromas and flavors, infused into their grape skins. Given that red wine undergoes maceration with the skins, the eucalyptus flavors find their way into the glass of the very best Australian wines.

It should also be noted that Australia is also known for producing sweet wines, or stickies, and sparkling wines. The former is harder to find in the US, but is said to be divine.

The Regions

Australia is composed of many, small regions, primarily along the southern part of the continent, that are hard to fit into one general word or paragraph. So, I made a table of the regions, with the key varietal, signature notes and climate. It is at the bottom of the blog post!

This month, I could only find one Australian wine that really sparked my interest at my local grocery store. Therefore, I also included a list of Australian wines I have on my “to try” list after the review.

Max's Shiraz - Cabernet

This wine had a delightful, complex mix of aromas. When I put my nose in the glass, I was struck with the tang of fresh cherry. Plum, raspberry jam, violets, leather and fresh oak followed. The acid, tannin and alcohol were all medium (+) and were rounded out by a full body. On the palate, the bold cherry and plum flavors took center stage, accompanied by a subtle note of leather.

This wine would pair beautifully with a grilled steak and vegetables, burgers or BBQ! Perfect for the 4th of July holiday coming up. As a vegetarian, I think that this would pair especially well with a hard aged cheese, like a salty Gouda as an appetizer. I would be curious to try it with blue cheese stuffed grilled bell peppers as well!

My Rating 3.75 / 5 - I did not smell or taste any eucalyptus in this wine, likely because the grapes were sourced from various regions across South Australia instead of a single vineyard. However, it was made and aged beautifully. It was well balanced, juicy and had a long, flavorful finish. I plan on bringing a bottle to my 4th of July celebration this year!

The Details
Sweetness: Dry
Vintage: 2020
Alcohol: 14.5%
Label: Max's Shiraz-Cabernet
Producer: Penfolds
Region: South Australia
Varietals: 70% Shiraz, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $18

In the future, I would love to taste Riesling from Clare and Eden Valley to compare the subtle differences between the locations. There were also a few red wines that were out of the price range for this challenge (ie. more than $25), but have been on my list for a while.

1. Grosset Polish Hill - the winemaker is responsible for putting Australian Riesling on the map.
2. Pewsy Vale Coutours - this Riesling is sophisticated because it is only released after a minimum of 5.5 years of aging.
3. Penfolds Grange, the most iconic Australian shiraz that is said to be similar to wine from Hermitage (a small wine region in Burgundy, France).
4. Honestly, anything from Daniel Riccardo's exclusive collaboration with St. Hugo, mainly because I'm curious if it is worth the price! St. Hugo is located in Southern Australia and sources grapes from across the region.

Australia is one of my favorite, new world countries to drink wine from because of the unique flavors and diversity in price range. Next month, we travel back to Europe to explore Switzerland!