Navigating the Wine Aisle: A Practical Guide to Australia’s 4 Most Popular Red Varieties
Did you know that the earliest known wine remnants date back to 6000 BC in Georgia?! Yup, that’s true, so it’s not surprising that red wine is one of the oldest and most popular alcoholic beverages, one that has been part of social, cultural and even religious events. It’s unique not only for its flavour but also for its aroma and health benefits thanks to resveratrol and antioxidant content.
This is the drink of ancient Romans, poets, kings, villains and why not you?! This is a drink worth trying, known for its elegant, complex, bold and full-bodied nature. The choice of reds these days is huge. However, some types are considered the tastiest of all.
The Most Popular Red Wines in Australia
Pinot Noir
If someone asks what is special about Pinot Noir, the answer is everything! Pinot Noir wine traces its roots back to the Roman era. It’s more than 1,000 years older than Cabernet Sauvignon, and the grape itself has over 1,000 registered clones. The name comes from the French words ‘pin ‘, which means pine, and ‘noir ‘, which means black. Pinot Noir grape is tightly clustered with pine-cone-shaped bunches, making it unique. Unfortunately, because of its thin skin, this grape variety is sensitive to frost and heat, and it’s also susceptible to a variety of diseases, making it difficult to grow, which is why winemakers refer to it as the “heartbreak grape”. Even though it comes from France, the Burgundy region in particular, this grape variety is also popular in Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Germany and Canada.
What makes this wine so popular is its taste, body and appearance. It’s a classic red, made from thin-skinned red grapes, hence the medium to pale or ruby colour. It’s a light-to-medium-bodied dry wine with high natural acidity, and soft to low and medium tannin.
This tasty Pinot Noir wine has a unique profile dominated by aroma compounds known as esters, which give it a complex array of flavours, from ripe cherry, strawberry and raspberry when young to intriguing nutty, earthy and leafy flavours when aged.
Being light to medium-bodied means that this wine has lower tannin and higher acidity, creating the perfect balance. Typically, its alcohol content varies from 12-14%, which adds to its elegant mouthfeel.
Generally speaking, this red can be paired with almost any type of food. It’s one of the most versatile reds that goes perfectly with chicken, turkey and roasted duck. It also pairs perfectly with any mushroom dishes, risotto, roasted root vegetables, truffles, grilled salmon, pork and any cheese.
Shyrah
Shyrah, also known as Shiraz, is another popular red wine variety in Australia. According to winemakers, Australia has the perfect climate for growing these grapes, and the red product differs from those in Europe.
Shyrah is made in different Australian regions, both cooler and warmer, which explains its different types and its popularity. The one grown in the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale has intense dark fruit, spice, and velvety texture, while the one from cooler regions like Eden Valley has a more elegant structured style. Nowadays, Australian Shiraz is recognised all over thanks to its fruity flavour and distinctive character.
Australian Shiraz has a unique, rich taste and plum, blackberry and blueberry flavour. Being bold and rich in flavour makes it perfect with almost any food, but Aussies love matching it with barbecue or any other meat and spicy dishes.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is just another celebrated type of red wine in Australia. It’s known for its bold fruit flavour, elegance and amazing ageing potential. The Australian Cabernet Sauvignon, in fact, is recognised for its ability to balance rich blackcurrant and dark chocolate with savoury herbal notes, cedar, mint, and tobacco. This grape variety thrives mainly in Australia’s cool-to-moderate regions Clare Valley, Yarra Valley, and Langhorne Creek. There, the grape develops a thick skin, which gives the wine high tannins and acidity, and this, in fact, is the thing that allows the wine to age beautifully.
Grenache
Last but not least, you can try the amazing Grenache wine known for its aromatic perfume, vibrant red fruit and lighter elegance. Australia has been home to this wine since the late 19th century, and by now, this wine still is one of the most popular red wines. Today’s Grenache is light-to -medium bodied, with paler colour and aromas of cherry, raspberry and white pepper.
This grape variety has softer tannin and brighter acidity, and it thrives in hotter, drier climates. It pairs perfectly with roasted duck, game, barbecue, and spice dishes.
Discover Your Favourite Australian Red Wine
Australia offers a diverse selection of red wines, each with its own flavour profile, aroma and character. From the light-to-medium-bodied Pinot Noir to the bold fruit-driven Shiraz, the structured Cabernet Sauvignon and the aromatic Grenache, there is a red wine to suit different palates and occasions. The key is to explore the varieties, consider their flavour profiles and experiment with food pairings to find the ones you enjoy most. Whether you’re sharing a bottle over dinner, celebrating a special occasion or simply discovering Australian winemaking, these popular red wines are an excellent place to start.