SouthAustralia is one of Australia's six states, located (as the name suggests) in the south of the vast island continent. It's the engine room of the Australian wine industry, responsible for about half of the country's total production each year. But there's more to the region than quantity - countless high-quality wines are produced here, most from the region's signature Grape, Shiraz. These include such fine, collectible wines as Penfolds Grange, Henschke Hill of Grace, Torbreck The Laird and d'Arenberg The Dead Arm.
South Australia's wine portfolio is heavily weighted towards Powerful red wines, most of which are made from Shiraz. Another grape variety that thrives here is Cabernet Sauvignon, the best examples of which come from the Limestone Coast in the far south-east of the state (notably Coonawarra, Padthaway and Robe). Grenache has also proved well suited to the South Australian Climate and winemaking style, particularly when combined with Shiraz and Mourvedre (also known as Mataro in Australia) to create the classic Australian GSM blend. European varieties as diverse as Tempranillo, Nebbiolo, Montepulciano and Petit Verdot are also present in South Australian vineyards, but only in small quantities.
The vermentino grape variety was widespread in Italy, Sardinia and Corsica. Today, Vermentino is grown in the regions bordering the Mediterranean, mainly in Provence (Côtes de Provence, Bellet), Corsica (Corse Calvi), Languedoc (Côtes du Roussillon, Costières de Nîmes) and the Rhône Valley (Côtes du Luberon). Because it ripens late, Vermentino requires a warm climate for its development and can only be grown in regions with good sun exposure. Conversely, cold or temperate climates do not allow it to ripen properly. Vermentino is only susceptible to powdery mildew. When vinified on its own, Vermentino produces a single-variety dry white wine that is light and full-bodied with a pale yellow color. It can also be blended with other grape varieties such as Ugni Blanc, Cinsault and Grenache, in which case its low acidity makes it light and fresh. Vermentino belongs to the grape varieties of Ajaccio, Corsica and Corbières. The aromas released by this variety are multiple. One can detect notes of fresh apple, green almond, sweet spices, hawthorn, ripe pear and fresh pineapple.
white wines from the region of Australie du Sud go well with generally quite well with dishes of pork, rich fish (salmon, tuna etc) or vegetarian such as recipes of rabbit with cider and mushrooms, salmon with sorrel or zucchini and goat cheese quiche.
On the nose in the region of Australie du Sud often reveals types of flavors of pineapple, green pear or salt and sometimes also flavors of earthy, pastry or biscuits. In the mouth in the region of Australie du Sud is a powerful with a nice freshness.
Christmas, famously, is not about religion any more. But as a Decanter reader, you’ll also know that it’s not about giving, family or food either. No, it’s about drink. The one time of year when we get to open the good stuff without anyone questioning what we’re doing. And of course, there’s no shortage of advice as to what form those bottles should take. Every year, hacks in newspapers, magazines and websites tell us how to make the big day go with a bang. But these don’t correspond with the re ...
The proposal reduces the mandatory density of planting from 8,000 vines per hectare to approximately 6,000. This would be accomplished by allowing 2.2 metres between rows, essentially removing every other row. The stated purposes include reducing the cost of maintaining the vineyards and therefore the time necessary to maintain them. This has been put forward as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and proponents estimate that such emissions would be 20% lower under the measure, leading som ...
Following the recent invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the Decanter World Wine Awards will be cancelling the entries for any Russian wineries which have entered the competition, and their wines will not be judged. As a gesture of support for our Ukrainian entrants, we will be waiving their fees. We realise that the world’s winemakers have more that unites than divides them, but we feel we have to make a stand. All of us at Decanter and the DWWA are hoping and praying for a peaceful resolution to th ...
