Marrying great grapes and wine regions: from Barossa shiraz and Bordeaux cabernet sauvignon to Tuscan sangiovese and Rioja tempranillo

Select these grape varieties from these famous regions to help navigate the world of wine. A special red wine offer from Bordeaux to Barossa – and many places in between.

 

If you’re still learning about the world of wine (who isn’t?), tasting grape varieties from the regions that made them famous is an ideal way to get your bearings.

In the old world, wine regions were originally defined by what grapes they were allowed to grow – in France, Bordeaux is the land of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc, Burgundy specialises in pinot noir, while Chateauneuf-du-Pape is the king of grenache.

Cross the border into Italy and you’ll find brilliant sangiovese in Tuscany, nebbiolo in Piedmont and primitivo in Puglia. In Spain, tempranillo reigns in Rioja, while Argentina has made its malbec from Mendoza as famous as Diego Maradona. Closer to home, when you say Barossa, shiraz is usually the next word.

Knowing which regions are renowned for what varieties is an excellent way to select wine and discover wineries you may have not yet encountered.

The Australian Wine Club has been hunting in regions across the world for decades to find wines full of character and value. We’ve ventured across six different regions to assemble this line up of high-quality red wines that are truly representative of their home. Just grab a compass and a corkscrew (included in each dozen this week as a little bonus!).

Vieux Chateau Guibeau 2019

From Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion, a satellite of Bordeaux’s esteemed Saint-Emilion, comes a silky merlot-based blend (merlot 80%, cabernet franc 10%, cabernet sauvignon 10%) sourced from vineyards of between 30 and 50 years old. The thumbprint of Bordeaux’s superb 2019 vintage is obvious. Enticing aromatics of plums, blackberries and pencil shavings are laced with cloves, leafy herbs and earthy tones. Ripe plums and cassis float on the palate, with fine grained tannins framing the path to a long finish. Beautifully constructed. Decant. 14% alc; RRP $60 a bottle.

SPECIALS $49.99 a bottle in any dozen; $28.99 a bottle in World Reds dozen.

Baron de Barbon Gran Reserva Rioja 2012

For those who want to delve deep into the taste of 10-year-old Rioja. From Bodegas Muriel’s older, lower-yielding tempranillo vines, matured for 30 months in barrel and three years in bottle. Sweet spice and vanilla coconut aromas with hints of dried fruit, chocolate-covered raspberries and aniseed draw you in. A complex, medium-bodied palate awaits with a melange of plums, raspberries, truffles, nutmeg and toasty vanilla woven together. More savoury than fruity; persistently long finish defines the quality. 13.5% alc; RRP $48 a bottle.

SPECIALS $36.99 a bottle in any dozen; $28.99 a bottle in World Reds dozen.

Thistledown The Quickening Barossa Shiraz 2020

Behind this label stand two Masters of Wine, Giles Cooke and Fergal Tynan, who are winning praise for their old-vine grenache and shiraz. James Halliday says The Quickening 2020 has “the X factor”. “A striking wine, as juicy as quicksilver on the first whiff and taste, before the spicy, savoury whole-bunch nuances come into play,’’ our club president wrote, awarding 96 points. Aromas of summer fruits, raspberries, pepper and spice, with a generous whirl of flavours. Aged in French oak for eight months. A modern take on Barossa shiraz. 14.5% alc; RRP $50 a bottle.

SPECIALS $46.99 a bottle in any dozen; $28.99 a bottle in World Reds dozen.

Tenuta di Montecucco Passonaia 2019

This Italian sangiovese blend hails from what Decanter magazine has described as “Tuscany’s last undiscovered” subregion. The area is Montecucco which was designated in 1998 as a DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) and sits within Maremma, home to some of Italy’s most expensive and sought-after wines, such as Ornellaia, Sassicaia and Masseto. Brambly dark fruit aromas beckon, with touches of roasted capsicum, sweet paprika and chorizo. Juicy and fresh on the palate: characteristic sour cherry flavours with smoky cedar in the background. A bargain now – but expect to pay more before long. 14% alc; RRP $38 a bottle.

SPECIALS $28.99 a bottle in any dozen; $28.99 a bottle in World Reds dozen.

The Waxed Bat Reserve 2020

A velvety blend of cabernet sauvignon and malbec (60%/40%) from Argentina’s famed Mendoza region. Intense aromas of spiced cassis, blackcurrants, mulberries and violets lead to vibrant fruits and vanilla riding on gentle tannins to a lingering finish. Barbecued beef skewers with spicy tomato pasta would add to the occasion. Gold medal and 93 points at Gilbert & Gaillard International Competition. 13.5% alc; RRP $32 a bottle.

SPECIALS $23 a bottle in any dozen; $28.99 a bottle in World Reds dozen.

Baronesa de Vilar Port Finish 2018

A rich, dark and spicy Portuguese red to appeal to lovers of medium-to-full bodied reds bursting with flavour. The Baronesa de Vilar was created by 15th generation winemaker Alvaro van Zeller, whose family began producing ports in 1715. As the name suggests, this Touriga Nacional-based blend from the Douro region was matured in old port barrels for 12 months. Dark berries, violets and savoury aromas, hinting at flavours of Christmas cake, cherry compote, almonds, vanilla and sweet spice. A touch of port wine at the back. Velvety finish. Gold at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Competition in 2020. 14% alc; RRP $35 a bottle

SPECIALS $25.99 a bottle in any dozen; $28.99 a bottle in World Reds dozen.

WORLD REDS DOZEN Two bottles of each wine for $28.99 a bottle + a complimentary Wine Club corkscrew.SAVE $178 a dozen.

 

15-BOTTLE DEAL Add three bottles of Passionada Alvarinho 2021 from Portugal. Same variety as Spain’s Albarino. Expect lemon freshness and stony zip with a little creamy weight. 12.5% alc; RRP $30 a bottle. SPECIAL $27.49 a bottle across the 15 bottles.

Order online or telephone [phone] Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm AEST. Deals are available only while stocks last. The Australian Wine Club is a commercial partnership with Laithwaites Wine, LIQP770016550.