| After the boom years of the late 1990s, the | | | | Wales- and Victoria-based De Bortoli wine family, |
| Australian wine industry has spent recent years | | | | this classic dessert wine is a favorite among |
| working to maintain its growth and improve its | | | | Australian wine-lovers and international consumers |
| reputation in the international wine market. A | | | | who are in the know about quality wines from |
| recent drought, plus increased competition from | | | | Down Under. With a creamy, orange palate and a |
| other up-and-coming wine hotspots such as South | | | | nectary aroma, this tastefully sweet wine goes |
| America and California, has made things difficult | | | | well with fruity or nutty desserts, but it also |
| for Australia's smaller wineries. Meanwhile, some | | | | works as a stand-alone treat after a meal. |
| of the larger Australian wine companies continue | | | | • Tahbilk Marsanne: One of the oldest |
| to do well, which has contributed to an | | | | winemakers in Victoria, Tahbilk makes a wide |
| unfortunate perception in some circles that | | | | variety of wines but is best known for its white |
| Australia exports nothing but cheap, | | | | wine varieties originating from the South of |
| mass-produced wine. | | | | France. Among their several high-quality white |
| To fight back against this perception, several of | | | | wines, this Marsanne is one of their oldest and |
| Australia's major winemaking families formed an | | | | best. With a bouquet of apple and honey, plus a |
| alliance in the summer of 2009. Known as | | | | creamy, citrusy palate, newer vintages of this |
| Australia's First Families of Wine, the organization | | | | wine are predicted to age beautifully. |
| seeks to restore Australian wine's reputation to | | | | • Tyrrell's Vat 1 Sémillon: Based in |
| the high status it had a decade ago. | | | | New South Wales's Hunter Valley, the Tyrrell |
| In the spirit of these efforts, I'd like to present a | | | | winery is one of the most exciting winemakers |
| few of the best (affordable) Australian wines by | | | | among Australia's First Families of Wine. This |
| some of Australia's smaller winemakers: | | | | French style Sémillon blends Sauvignon |
| • D'Arenberg d'Arrys Original Shiraz / | | | | Blanc and Chardonnay to make a wine that is light |
| Grenache: Descended from a popular Burgundy | | | | and delicately sweet, with a warm and subtly |
| that South Australia's D'Arenberg has been | | | | spicy taste that carries hints of cinnamon. Like |
| making for nearly a century, this blend was | | | | many of the best Australian wines, this |
| crafted in honor of the wineries founder Frances | | | | Sémillon ages well into a complex, |
| d'Arenberg. This bright red mix has hints of | | | | endlessly rewarding maturity. |
| coffee and caramel, with a bold palate and an | | | | • Yalumba The Signature Cabernet/Shiraz: |
| aroma of cinnamon and plum. The MacLaren Vale, | | | | From the beautiful Barossa Valley of South |
| where the D'Arenberg family is headquartered, is | | | | Australia, Yalumba brings us this classic red blend |
| well-known for its fearless yet tasteful red wines, | | | | of Cabernet and Shiraz, two of grapes that grow |
| and this one is sure to be remembered as | | | | better in Australia than anywhere else. With a |
| groundbreaking contribution to the region's long | | | | dark but fruity aroma and a powerful, smoky |
| tradition. | | | | finish, this wine is easy to love, but it grows more |
| • De Bortoli Noble One: From the New South | | | | and more appealing with time. |