We deliver Australia wide
Call 1300 303 307

Alert

The maximum quantity permitted for this item is , if you wish to purchase more please call 1300 303 307

Wine Varieties

TYPES OF WINE

Learn more about Australian wine’s vast varietal range with Wine Selectors From the rich, plummy flavours of full-bodied Shiraz to the refined citrusy elegance of Semillon, the plush seductiveness of Pinot Noir or the zippy, refreshing acidity of Pinot Grigio, Australian wine consists of a vast range of varieties, types and styles – each with their own subtleties to explore.

Generally, wine falls under 5 basic types: red wine, white wine, Rosé wine, Sparkling wine, and Fortified (or Dessert wine). There is a staggering diversity of style within each type, however, determined by such factors the component grape of the wine, its regionality, and the winemaker’s art. It is this diversity and creativity that informs the world’s enduring love affair with wine, regardless of individual preference.

 

Shop Red Wine Shop White Wine Shop Sparkling & Rosé Shop Mixed Cases

 

Browse the links below to learn more about your favourite wine type, and discover why Australia is considered one of the great wine countries of the world.

 

EXPLORE WINE TYPES

Full-bodied red wines

Medium-bodied red wines

Light-bodied red wines

Light-bodied white wines

Full-bodied white wines

Sparkling & Rosé wine styles

Fortified & Dessert wine styles

The Noble Grapes

 

RED WINE VARIETIES

Red wines are among Australia’s most favourite types of wine, from full-bodied examples of Shiraz – the country’s most popular type of red wine – to the lighter, more elegant flavours of Pinot Noir. New wave red wine varieties like Tempranillo, Sagrantino and Sangiovese are also on the rise, as winemakers embrace their drought-resistant qualities in the face of a changing climate – and wine lovers discover their enchanting flavours.

 

Shop All Red Wine

 

FULL-BODIED RED WINES

Shiraz

Cabernet Sauvignon

Durif   

Malbec

Mourvèdre

Petit Verdot

 

MEDIUM-BODIED RED WINES

Merlot

Grenache

Tempranillo

Sangiovese

Montepulciano  

Cabernet Franc  

Barbera

Nero d’Avola

 

LIGHT-BODIED RED WINES

Pinot Noir

Pinot Meunier

Gamay

 

RED BLENDS

Learn more about Australia’s historic legacy of classic red blends, including Cabernet-based blends and Shiraz-based blends, in this breakdown of red blend styles and regions.

 

Buy Australian Red Blends

 

WHITE WINE VARIETIES

While it still seems out of fashion to many, Chardonnay remains one of Australia’s most popular white grapes, as does Semillon. The success of Sauvignon Blanc (thanks to the Kiwis) means that many Australians are now drinking aromatic whites of a similar style, be they blends or straight varietals. Riesling still has a cult following but is not considered mainstream, while Pinot Gris, Viognier, and new wave varieties like Gewürztraminer are on the rise.

 

Shop All White Wine

 

LIGHT-BODIED WHITE WINES

Sauvignon Blanc

Riesling

Semillon

Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio

Grüner Veltliner

Marsanne  

Fiano

Moscato

 

FULL-BODIED WHITE WINES

Chardonnay

Viognier

Vermentino

Verdelho

Albariño

Gewürztraminer

Arneis

 

WHITE BLENDS

Learn more about Australia’s historic legacy of classic white blends, including Margaret River Semillon Sauvignon Blanc and Dry White blends, in this breakdown of white blend styles and regions.

 

Buy Australian White Blends

 

ROSÉ WINES

Rosé just goes from strength to strength, and every clever winemaker can now be found experimenting with different red varieties such as Grenache, Sangiovese and Pinot Noir. Its reputation has soared, thanks to its suitability for the Australian climate, and the fact it makes a great alternative to a chilled white or a lighter bodied red. Like most white wines, Rosés are best served chilled and enjoyed soon after release.

Australian Rosé

 

Buy Australian Rosé

 

TYPES OF SPARKLING WINE

Australian Sparkling can very happily hold its head up high with a reputation to match the best of Champagne. Thanks to the championing of regions like Tasmania and Tumbarumba, we’re starting to see examples that express purity of fruit and clever winemaking decisions. Although it goes through the same winemaking process and uses the three mainstay varieties as Champagne, namely Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, Sparkling can no longer be labelled as Champagne as it does not hail from that famed French region.

Sparkling white wine

Sparkling red wine

Sparkling Rosé

Prosecco   

 

Shop All Australian Sparkling 

 

TYPES OF FORITIFIED WINE AND DESSERT WINE

There is a rich tradition of fortified winemaking in Australia. Indeed, at one time at the beginning of the 20th century they were the only wine styles being made here. Today the respected varieties include Tokay, Muscat, Sherry and Tawny. Fortified wines are produced like most table wines, but a measure of alcohol is added during the fermentation process (afterwards in the case of Sherry). The most popular style of dessert wine is Botrytis, where a botrytis cinerea fungal infection (noble rot) is present in the grape – in its making, dehydrated grapes turn the acids into sugars, producing a wonderful sweet style of wine.

Fortified wines

 

Shop Australian Fortifieds

 

WHAT ARE THE NOBLE GRAPES?

As you can see, Australia is blessed with a myriad of regional climates and soils that allow winemakers to grow a vast range of varietals, many of which are considered ‘noble grapes’. But what are the noble grapes? There are numerous categorisations of what the ‘noble grapes’ are depending on the provenance described. For instance, there are five noble grapes of Bordeaux, France, that go into the making of that region’s internationally renowned red blends; Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. There are also the four noble grapes of Burgundy, namely Pinot Noir, Gamay, Chardonnay and Aligoté, as well as the noble grapes of Alsace, on the border of Germany and France: Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muscat, and Gewürztraminer.

Lastly, there are the six noble grapes, or International Varieties, which are held to be those grapes that have the broadest appeal and are most widely planted around the world. In this definition, the red noble grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Merlot; and the white noble grapes are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling.

Two Blues Sauvignon Blanc 2014
1 case has been added to your cart.
Cart total: xxx
1 case, 12 bottles, 3 accessories