MONDAY last saw a unique event in Dublin, a wine tasting co-promoted by Australia, and New Zealand.
It proved to be an extraordinarily successful day, for winemakers, importers, and wine lovers who attended the consumer tasting that evening.
It’s a while since we have had the chance to welcome the Australians back, while New Zealand have been an annual fixture on the tasting calendar for many years.
The wines from some 86 wineries were on show, 44 from Australia and 42 came from New Zealand. Nine of them arrived seeking an Irish importer.
This week I am concentrating on the return of the Aussies and will happily report on our New Zealand friends in the coming weeks.
Shortly after I began writing about wine the national sales figures for the year 2000 were published and showed Australia topping the table with 750,000 cases. Chile was second, with 669,000 sales.
Fast forward to 2023 and fortunes have decidedly changed – with Australia on 1.22million cases and Chile shifting 2.3million. Indeed, Spain had moved into second spot with 1.26million.
But there is some good news for the Aussies in that there has been a slight upturn in sales in recent years – and now, it seems, that they will make a concerted effort to win back lost sales on these shores.
Back home they have had to destroy millions of vines in recent years because of a wine glut, while excess stock was sold off at big discounts – although we didn’t see much of it this side if the world!
The well publicised diplomatic spat between Australia and China killed that highly lucrative wine market, with the Chinese imposing prohibitive tariffs on wine imports in 2020.
And while relationships have recently warmed and the Chinese market is slowly opening up again, Australians have moved some of their focus to Europe and the US, but have found that wine consumption across the globe is declining annually.
Back around the turn of the millennium wines from the likes of Lindemans, Hardys and Jacob’s Creek was on every shop shelf. All had a strong following in Ireland, all very approachable – and very affordable.
Since then, many Australian winemakers have consolidated their businesses and began to specialise in high-end (expensive) wines.
These, for the most part, are exceptional wines but have price tags that make them prohibitive for many wine lovers.
Yet while last Monday’s tasting had many of these premium wines on show, there was a good smattering of well made and drinkable bottles in the €15 to €25 price range.
Indeed, Calabria, Qualia, Ant Moore, Elderton, Barossa Valley Estate, Wakefield and Silex all had wines in this price bracket.
The Aussies will have been delighted by Monday’s turnout and renewed enthusiasm for their wines. Maybe they are about to re-kindle their love affair with Irish consumers!
WONDERFUL WINES
I enjoyed quite a few of the wines tasted on Monday and I have chosen two in the €25 category to review today, a price point that can deliver excellent wines from Down Under.
My third choice is an Aussie Riesling, a super introduction to this noble grape.
Corryton Burge Eden Valley Riesling 2022 (ABV 12.5%)
€17.99 RRP @ good independents
Grape: Riesling
A CLASSIC, and very approachable Eden Valley Riesling, with a seriously friendly price tag.
A translucent green colour, with hints of straw, in the glass. The nose gives off distinctive hints of green apple, citrus, and mixed spice.
The bone-dry palate is quite generous and driven by flavours of lemon, lime, green apple and excellent acidity.
Enjoy with: Oysters, or ceviche.
Star rating: ****
Yalumba Samuels Collection Bush Vine Grenache 2022 (ABV 14.5%)
€25 approx @ good independents
Grape: Grenache
OUTSIDE its home of Spain, Grenache has established a strong foothold in Languedoc, France and Chile – but the most exciting varietal wines currently come from Australia.
This juicy, old vine (70 years plus) Barossa example is ruby coloured, with aromas of raspberry, strawberry, cherry and a floral note.
The palate is medium-bodied and rounded with cherry and raspberry the dominant flavours, but with an earthy and herbal dusting. Silky tannins and a light coating of oak add to the taste.
Enjoy with: Szechuan Chicken
Star rating: *****
Tyrrell’s Hunter Valley Shiraz 2021 (ABV 13.5%)
€25.99 RRP @ good independents
Grape: Shiraz
FOR almost 170 years the Tyrrells have tended vineyards in the Hunter Valley, producing, in particular, iconic Semillon and Shiraz wines.
This Shiraz, tasted on Monday, proved to be the most impressive at this price point – one you have to hit to get super quality Oz reds.
A vibrant red/purple colour, with lifted aromas of plums, cherries and white pepper, the palate has depth of flavour, featuring soft black and red fruit, spice, nice acidity, lovely minerality and savoury tannins.
Enjoy with: Your favourite steak.
Star rating: *****
THIS WEEK’S IRISH SUN BARGAIN BOTTLE
WE promise to bring Irish Sun wine lovers a taste-tested vino each weekend that won’t hurt your pocket – and is under a tenner.
The cost of glass, packaging, labelling and transport have sky-rocketed in recent years.
Finding excellent value wines is getting harder, but we have managed to find some great bottles that would grace any dinner table or be a super mid-week couch sipper.
Protocolo Tinto 2021 (ABV 14%)
Currently €9.45 @ O’Briens Wine
Grape: Tempranillo
WINE lovers’ favourite for many years, and yet still available with change from a tenner.
With fruit from vineyards in central Spain’s Castile-La Mancha region, this ruby red, full-bodied wine has notes of ripe red fruit and spice on the nose.
The palate offers a flavour profile with hints of strawberry and cherry fruit, a little twist of spice and balanced tannins.
Enjoy with: Braised oxtail.
Star rating: ****
