Australia

Gone are the days of those artificial Chardonnays and Shirazs, Australia has really grown up as a wine country and has discovered its sense of regionality (don’t say ‘terroir’). The buzz words at the moment are ‘cool climate’ as areas like Tasmania, Yarra Valley etc are being planted to Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling. But among the classic regions of Barossa Valley, Coonawarra and McLaren Vale and many others, there are still some discoveries to be made, with young, maverick winemakers shunning the old system of selling grapes, and getting their fingers purple by making their own fabulous and expressive wines