Port Phillip is a qualitatively significant wine-producing zone in the Australian state of Victoria. Named for the bay it surrounds, it benefits both from its location near the state capital Melbourne and the high quality of its Terroir, which produces some of Australia's most important wines, Particularly in the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula GIs (Geographical Indications).
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are among the most important grape varieties made here with Australia's favorite grape variety Shiraz also figuring in the inventory.
Like most large-scale wine zones, there is considerable variation in both topography and Climate throughout Port Phillip.
Overall, the zone can be classed as cool climate, mostly thanks to the close proximity to the Bass Strait that separates Tasmania from the mainland. Cool winds help to extend the growing season here, offering some respite from high sunshine hours and maintaining levels of Acidity in the grapes. Port Phillip Bay itself also provides this service.
Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula are Port Phillip's most significant regions, but the lesser-known Sunbury, Macedon Ranges and Geelong GIs also fall under the catchment of the zone.
There are more than 200 wineries within these five regions, most of which are small, boutique operations showcasing their produce through the Cellar doors which have become an intrinsic part of the Australian wine culture. Port Phillip's main legacy is one of quality, not quantity.
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay dominate the conversation in Port Phillip; these Burgundy classics are responsible for some of the zone's most sought-after wines. Shiraz is important as well and takes on a very different flavor profile in the cool climate, that being more inclined toward spice than rich fruit.
Pinot Gris is a grey grape variety mutated from Pinot Noir. It has its origins in Burgundy, where it is called pinot-beurot in reference to the colour of the grey robes worn by the monks of the region. Established in Alsace since the 17th century, pinot gris was called tokay until 2007. It is made up of bunches of small berries that vary in colour from pink to blue-grey. It is particularly well suited to the continental climate because it is resistant to the cold in winter and to spring frosts. This variety also likes dry limestone soils with plenty of sunshine in the summer. Pinot Gris is well suited to late harvesting or to the selection of noble grapes, depending on the year and the concentration of sugars in the berries. Pinot Gris wines are distinguished by their aromatic complexity of white fruits, mushrooms, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, etc., and their great finesse. In the Loire Valley, pinot gris is used in the Coteaux-d'Ancenis appellations. It gives dry or sweet wines with pear and peach aromas.
white wines from the region of Port Phillip go well with generally quite well with dishes of pork, rich fish (salmon, tuna etc) or vegetarian such as recipes of white cabbage with bacon, fish pot or broccoli and blue cheese quiche without pastry.
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