The Curious Case August 2026 - Aussie Essentials
Over the last 50 years, Australia has arguably played one of the biggest roles in introducing UK drinkers to New World wine – from ‘sunshine in a glass’ Shiraz to crowd‑pleasing Chardonnay. For our August Curious Case, we’re taking a look at the classic grapes it has adopted as its own – six Aussie essentials that chart the country’s rise into one of the leaders of the wine world.
We’ve included some of the big names you can’t overlook – Shiraz, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir – plus a couple of more niche varieties, Semillon and Riesling, which, even though unfashionable these days, still sit at the heart of Australian wine culture. And we also look at one that’s an up‑and‑comer – Grenache. For a long time an unheralded component of many blends, it’s now getting the attention it richly deserves.
Classic Chardonnay, subtly oaked
Pedestal Margaret River Chardonnay
It wasn’t that long ago that big, creamy, vanilla‑oaked Chardonnays were most people’s idea of an Australian white. These days, a bit more subtlety is the order of the day. Here winemaker Larry Cherubino shows how oak, carefully used, shows off the characteristic ripe stone‑fruit and citrus rather than smothering it.
Razor sharp Riesling, a South Australian speciality
The Courtesan Riesling, Clare Valley
South Australia’s Clare Valley is just as much Riesling country as the Rhine in Germany. The difference is that down under it’s all about zesty lime and lemon‑sharp bite over the softer, more rounded fruitiness of many Teutonic wines. If you think Riesling has a tendency towards a bit of sweetness this will change your viewpoint.
Hunter Valley Semillon, New South Wales’ historic niche
Keith Tulloch Hunter Valley Semillon
Semillon was planted in Hunter Valley vineyards at the very beginning in the 1830s and has been a speciality ever since. Light, crisp and citrussy in youth, these wines have a unique ability to age into something toasty and honeyed, so you’ll see bottles both old and young. A curious niche, to be sure, but one that no look at Aussie wine would be complete without.
Pinot Noir, fashionable coolness from cool-climate vineyards
Little Yering Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley
These days Pinot Noir is nearly every country’s favourite grape, and it has long been part of the scenery in Australia. With lighter, cool climate reds now very much the cool thing to drink, Aussie Pinot is in the spotlight. Often a little less austere than Burgundy or Central Otago, it tends to have softer, rounder edges – and here the juicy cherry fruit and gentle spice make it immediately likeable.
Shiraz - the red that shouts ‘Australia’
Dandelion Vineyards Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz
Big‑hearted, big‑bodied, rich dark fruit, soft spice – little wonder so many of us have a soft spot for Shiraz. And when it comes to it, the Barossa, just up the road from Adelaide, is pretty much Shiraz Central and home to some of the country’s oldest vines and its most classic, full‑throttle reds. Here we have all that. Sleek and polished, it’s inky dark, lavishly fruited, with real finesse and fine tannins.
Grenache – Down Under’s next big thing?
Thistledown Gorgeous Grenache
Grenache has been around in Australia every bit as long as the likes of Shiraz and Chardonnay, but mostly as the workhorse grape in blends. Now, as fresher, brighter, juicier styles of red are getting more popular, Grenache is perfectly placed to fill that slot. The one we’ve got here has that approach off to a tee, made by Grenache specialists who turn out elegant, textural, seriously attractive wines.
Australian wines are many and varied – and if you want to grasp the essentials, a few of the answers lie in this case.