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Good Wine Online >  White Wine  >  Australia

Australia

 

Australia is an enormous country but it's area under vine is relatively small when compared to European countries. There were no native grapes until the British settlers arrived, and conditions for survival for any living thing can be challenging to say the least. Virtually all the vineyards are in the cooler South, although Tasmania is probably just too cold to produce any great wines. The Australian wine industry is now booming, thanks to it's abundance of sunshine being tempered by advanced irrigation systems, and the recognition of the need for cooler vineyard sites at altitude to prevent over ripening. Australia seems to produce better wines every year and, if you steer clear of the mass produced factory brands, you will find a variety of styles to suit every taste.
 
 

Annie's Lane Chardonnay Clare Valley 2005 75cl

 Annie's Lane is widely regarded as one of the best wineries in South Australia. They've been awarded over 350 trophies and medals since they began making wine back in 1996. This Chardonnay is excellent. It's matured nicely and benefits from a few minutes breathing before tasting. Big tropical flavours with rounded body and good mouthfeel. The initial butteriness is beautifully balanced by subtle oak on the finish, with very good length.

For anyone with a sulphite intolerance - Jane reacted very slightly to this wine, so we've given it a medium rating to be on the safe side. It's still way lower in sulphites than any branded wine, but it may be wise to play it safe and opt for the Morton White Label Chardonnay from New Zealand as an alternative. Although Jane reacted (very mildly), she was enjoying the wine so much she carried on drinking it - that's dedication to the job! For those of us like myself who don't react to sulphites, this wine is excellent, and great value for the money!

Annie's Lane Website

Price: £9.14 (Inc.  VAT at 17.5% )


Sulphites:
John's Rating

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Annie's Lane Chardonnay Clare Valley 2005 75cl
 
 

Benson Rise Cygne Blanc 2007 South Australia 75cl

 13.5% abv. A revelation - a new grape variety from a single vineyard on Mount Benson on the Limestone Coast. Cygne Blanc is believed to be a white version of Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a floral bouquet with intense, lingering flavours and a dry finish, similar to Verdelho.

Price: £11.75 (Inc.  VAT at 17.5% )


Sulphites:
John's Rating

Quantity:     Bottle(s)

Benson Rise Cygne Blanc 2007 South Australia 75cl
 
 

Campbells Bobbie Burns Chardonnay 2006 Rutherglen 75cl

 14.5% abv. Pale in colour with a deceptively subtle nose but plenty of fruit on the palate. This wine is well balanced with a refreshing acidity which cleans the palate. Light to medium bodied, more subtle than traditional Australian Chardonnay, well suited to food.

Price: £9.40 (Inc.  VAT at 17.5% )


Sulphites:
John's Rating

Quantity:     Bottle(s)

Campbells Bobbie Burns Chardonnay 2006 Rutherglen 75cl
 
 

Fermoy Estate 'John Anderson' Margaret River Chardonnay 2005/6 75cl

 13.5% abv. Floral, rich nose. Great fruit on the palate, a little crisper than most Chardonnays with a sharper fruit taste reminiscent of Sauvignon. Not as heavy or full bodied as typical Chardonnay either, just a little lighter and fresher. It has superb length and we thought it was absoluely lovely. A delicious wine suited to food or great for just drinking on a warm sunny day.

Price: £10.21 (Inc.  VAT at 17.5% )


Sulphites:
John's Rating

Quantity:     Bottle(s)

Fermoy Estate 'John Anderson' Margaret River Chardonnay 2005/6 75cl
 
 

Willowglen Semillon Chardonnay 2008 75cl

 12.5% abv. A delicious soft, buttery wine, full in the mouth with lasting flavour. A twin varietal, at this price point, often has an inferior grape added to make the superior grape go further, but in this case it's great to see a producer blend two grapes for the right reasons. The Semillon lends a richness to the flavour of the Chardonnay. This wine was actually served at Buckingham Palace. Great value.

Price: £5.62 (Inc.  VAT at 17.5% )


Sulphites:
John's Rating

Quantity:     Bottle(s)

Willowglen Semillon Chardonnay 2008 75cl