Australians embracing easy-drinking Italian and Spanish wines

AUSTRALIAN palates are embracing medium-bodied Italian and Spanish grapes such as barbera and tempranillo, which are replacing the heavy French wines such as shiraz.

AUSTRALIAN wine lovers bored by cab sav and sick of shiraz are turning to a new wave of reds.

Wines made from Italian and Spanish grapes with names such as barbera and tempranillo are replacing the French flavours we’ve traditionally drunk.

It was one of the big trends at the Good Food and Wine show last weekend
Wine Selectors tasting panellist Adam Walls believes it reflects Australia’s changed drinking habits.

“We’re not just drinking for enjoyment and relaxation but for the added experience as well and that’s what these new wave, lesser known Mediterranean varietals offer,” he said.

Grapes traditionally grown in the southern part of Italy, Spain and Portugal are well suited to local wine growing regions.

Alex Sims and Ally Herfurth enjoy a glass of red wine at Gowings Bar at the QT Hotel. Picture: Richard Dobson

“Whites such as vermentino and fiano from the south of Italy are used to hot and dry climates and grow well inland, in areas such as the (South Australian) Riverlands and Murray Darling,” Mr Walls said.

“We have grown shiraz and chardonnay all these years and have a fair idea of what they should taste like. But these new wave wines have offered winemakers a chance to experiment, try different styles and apply different winemaking techniques because we’re not sure of the status quo.’’

“This avenue for winemakers to be experimental and creative means the drinking public is a winner, we get to drink new wines we haven’t tried before.”

Mr Walls believes light and medium bodies reds such as nero d’avola, dolcetto and tempranillo are better suited to Australia’s hot and dry climate.

Wine lovers bored by cab sav and sick of shiraz are turning to a new wave of reds.

“Australians have always loved big, full bodied wines such as shiraz but we’re starting to embrace lighter, fresher, bright red wine,” he said.

“This new wave fits into that category and you can still drink them when it’s 40C in the middle of January as long as you chill the barbera first.”
Wine Curator at QT Hotel, Serena Carl, said it’s exciting to see foreign varietals come to the fore in Australian wine.
“We’ve seen a distinct trend in Mediterranean wines becoming a go-to for after-work drinks,” she said.
“People are going for earthier, more tannic styles rather than going straight for shiraz.”

Alex Sims, 27, from Bondi knows her wines and believes these European varietals

match our local cuisine.

“They’re fresh, vibrant fruit forward wines with soft tannins that suit the current food style of Australia so well,” she said.

“We tend towards more snacking and small plate styled menus that encourage no fuss drinking with uncomplicated wines.”

Espeto Tempranillo 2016

Rocca Negroamaro 2016

Cellarmasters top picks

Espeto Tempranillo 2016, $13

Full of strawberry and blackcurrant notes, this Spanish red wine has medium tannins.

Stefano de Pieri Merbein Vineyard Nero d’Avola, $15

Medium bodied red wine with bright red berry flavours with a fine tannin finish.

Domodo Primitivo Puglia I.g.p 2015 , $18.25

A soft and balanced wine, with good structure and dark berry fruit flavours.

Tempranillo

Rocca Negroamaro 2016, $17.99

Perfumed red berry aromas, earthy hints and fine, silky tannins on the finish

Alejandro Nero d’Avola 2017

Dalfarras Sangiovese

Wine Selectors top picks

Brown Brothers 1889 Tempranillo 2017, $18.30
Vibrant purple colour, medium bodied and soft, full of red berries and spices.

Dalfarras Sangiovese, $18.95
Brooding mix of red and black fruits, bright, savoury and easy-drinking wine with spicy acidity

Alejandro Nero d’Avola 2017, $19.99
A juicy, easy-drinking wine. Intense flavour presence of blue, black and red fruits and savoury spice

Catherine Vale Labour of Love Gabrielle Dolcetto 2016, $19
Vibrant and bright, bursting with black cherry and blood plum with soft acidity and a supple, savoury finish

Dan Murphy’s top picks

Illuminati Riparosso Montepulciano, $9.99

Intense fruit concentration and seriousness. Black cherry and small goods abound.

Villa Pozzi Nero D’Avola, $8.99

Juicy, full-flavoured personality-laden, it is satisfying as a drink on its own, however also partners beautifully with BBQ meats and hard aged cheeses.

Borsao Seleccion Garnacha, $11.99.

Kown as Grenache in Australia, it is full of white pepper spice and raspberry freshness, with silky tannins and a satisfyingly dry finish.

Lovers Not Toreadors Tempranillo, $16.99

Full-bodied yet fine, with saturated black cherry fruit with that unmistakeable ‘flat cola’ Tempranillo character.