As extensive territorially as it is young in terms of oenological history, Australia is a major player on the world wine scene. Those who, therefore, wish to try products that go beyond the classic France-Italy-Spain triad can count on Australian wines to make for an unforgettable tasting experience, to be paired with many delicious dishes!

The best Australian red wines? You can start with these!

With its many wine regions and extremely diverse terroir, Australia has enriched its wine production with masterpieces to be experienced at least once in a lifetime. How to choose Australian wines? Just start with Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir and you will be completely satisfied!

'Angels' Share' Shiraz McLaren Vale 2022

This Australian red has a nature strongly linked to the terroir of the Barossa and McLaren valleys, where it is produced. Characterised by a violet colour that does not go unnoticed, this 'Angels' Share' Shiraz McLaren Vale 2022 offers a complex and spicy aromatic identity. The nose is tickled by a riot of small black fruits, with undertones of cloves and pepper that make the taste experience even more special.

On the palate, the tannins are soft, while the fruity scents are reintroduced with noteworthy fresh touches that fade into suggestions of liquorice. 

Excellent with meaty menus, this Australian Shiraz is perfect with warm and cosy autumn dishes: a stew of meat and vegetables, spiced pork pies, succulent roasts or with a good beef burger. It also goes well with some ethnic recipes, which it accompanies thanks to its spicy flavours.

'Sexy Beast' Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Valley 2022

If Shiraz is the king of reds, the Australian Cabernet Sauvignon can be called its worthy successor, a prince heir to the throne that conquers the senses with a fruity bouquet and sustained tannins. In a goblet of 'Sexy Beast' Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Valley 2022, notes of berries captivate first the nose and then the palate, in an aromatic and sensual identity reminiscent of red and blackcurrants, with a floral addition.

Excellent for ageing, this wine - the pride of the Barossa and Mc Laren Valley - does not disappoint even when uncorked young, in the company of game dishes - roast quail or pheasant, or hare stew - and mature, flavoursome cheeses.

'BIN 23' Pinot Noir 2022

Closing this guide to Australian red wines is 'BIN 23' Pinot Noir 2022, produced between the Adelaide Hills, Tasmania and the Yarra Valley. Ageing intensifies its cherry red colour and amplifies the hints of strawberry and cherry. Floral and spicy notes are added, with a woody undertone, reminiscent of oak. In the mouth, it is appreciated for a certain lightness and freshness that entices one to take a second sip.

In this case, the best Australian food and wine pairings put white meats at the forefront. Green light therefore to chicken recipes, from the simplest grilled or baked, to those enriched with slightly more complex sauces. Other excellent dishes to pair it with are those with mushrooms - perhaps a soft soup, perfect for the season - as well as with fatty textured fish, such as salmon, eel and tuna.

Australian white wines to try

Persuasive aromas, complexity and freshness are not only found in red wines, but also in a rich and bewitching range of white wines. It is impossible to experience the characteristics of these products without uncorking a Chardonnay, Riesling or Pinot Gris, some of Australia's best white wines!

"BIN 311' Chardonnay 2019

It is easy to be captivated by a glass of 'BIN 311' Chardonnay 2019, a white wine produced between Tasmania, the Adelaide Hills area and Tumbarumba.

Its pale golden colour immediately jumps to the eye, while the nose is captivated by hints of lemon and flowers, hints of dried fruit and honey, and that soft, woody tone given by ageing in oak barrels.

Something similar happens during the taste test, during which the palate is refreshed by a tart lemon aftertaste, with a truly surprising oak and hazelnut finish!

Versatile and pleasant, you can drink this Australian Chardonnay with a wide variety of preparations: a shrimp cocktail during an aperitif, a salmon fillet in a pistachio crust, a seafood soup or simple - timeless - roast chicken. It is also excellent when tasted with fresh cheese, spread on a slice of bread or croutons.

'The Boy' Riesling Eden Valley 2023

Not only Northern Italy or Alsace: Riesling has also found a home in Australia, in this case the Barossa and Eden Valleys. To uncork a bottle of 'The Boy' Riesling Eden Valley 2023 is to experience a refreshing, slightly acidic product with a light straw yellow colour and striking greenish hues.

The delicate aromas mix lavender flowers, lime and a salty scent reminiscent of the sea, which evolves in the mouth into a refreshing mineral aftertaste.

As a gourmet aperitif you can enjoy it with fresh oysters, but it also leaves you speechless with Asian dishes. Definitely try it with sushi and sashimi, washed down with a light touch of soy sauce!

Barramundi Pinot Gris

The combination of high quality Pinot Grigio grapes, vinified in purity, and the terroir of South East Australia gives birth to Barramundi Pinot Gris, one of Australia's finest white wines.

Perfect for those who don't want complexity, but a pleasant and immediate drinkability, this wine with its straw-yellow colour and aromas of pear, white peach and grapes is the ideal companion for uncomplicated aperitifs with chips, fried food, shrimp skewers, fish balls and a whole range of seafood preparations. This versatility is also due to its refreshing taste, good acidity and hints of lemon, apricot and citron that tickle the palate.

Australia's main wine-producing areas

Because of its enormous size - we speak of an area of 7,688,287 km2 - Australia boasts a truly impressive variety of wine zones and terroirs. However, seven best Australian wine regions can be identified:

• Barossa Valley: In South Australia, this renowned region with its Mediterranean climate, which tends to be warm, dry and well sunny, offers excellent conditions for grape varieties, especially Shiraz and Riesling, but also Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mataro and Viognier. The soils are varied, consisting mainly of clay, sand and loam.

• Clare Valley: characterised by a Mediterranean climate, it boasts considerable day-night temperature fluctuations during the growing season of the vines. The soils are composed of so-called 'red earth', i.e. soils rich in clay. Wine production focuses mainly on Riesling, Sémillon, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

• Coonawarra: a small wine growing area in South Australia, it is known for producing Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. The climate is maritime, influenced by the proximity of the ocean, with rather frosty springs, while the soil consists mainly of red soil - lying on top of layers of limestone - and rendzina.

• Margaret River: in the south-west of the country, it is very much influenced by the proximity of water, which ensures a rather mild Mediterranean climate with limited temperature fluctuations, while the presence of wooded patches protects the area from ocean winds. The soil is largely composed of sand and gravel, with good permeability. These characteristics guarantee ideal climatic conditions for the production of excellent Chardonnay, Sémillon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz, as well as fruity blends of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet.

• McLaren Vale: located in South Australia between the Sellicks Hill range and the gulf, this area is characterised by a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, dry winters, generally without extremes of temperature. The soils are varied, red earth, sand, clay and rendzina. Shiraz is the most widely produced variety, followed by Tempranillo, Riesling, Mourvedre, Vermentino, Merlot and Marsanne.

• Riverina: very prolific, this region is characterised by autumn humidity, which creates ideal conditions for the proliferation of Botrytis Cinerea, the noble rot that produces excellent sweet wines. The soils are rich in silt, sand and clay, excellent for the production of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sémillon and Riesling.

• Yarra Valley: Located in the Federal State of Victoria, this vast wine-growing area is characterised by soils composed of clay, sand and sandstone, as well as volcanic soils and a rather cool climate. The most cultivated grape varieties are Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.

A young but promising wine country

When compared to the major realities, Australia can be perceived as something of a child within the world wine scene.

It was not until 1788, brought by Governor Arthur Phillip, that the first vines landed on its shores. After a few unsuccessful attempts due to the humid climate of the area, cultivation was moved to a place with more suitable soils and greater exposure to the sun, along the course of the Parramatta River and near the Hunter Valley.

From here, vineyards began to spread, until - just under a century later - Australia began to make a name for itself as a wine producer. With the economic boom of the second half of the 20th century, changing consumer habits shifted the focus to higher quality wines, so that Australian producers began to concentrate on varieties such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, which are among the most widely grown today.

This 'lag' has therefore not prevented viticulture in Australia from making up for lost time by achieving excellent results, not only as a producer, but as a commercial leader, with about half of the national wine exported abroad.

Want to buy the best Australian wines online? Explore the Svinando catalogue and choose the bottle to uncork at your next lunch with friends!