As Australia’s largest wine producing state, South Australia is blessed with no less than 680 wineries. So it goes without saying that there are going to be an array of South Australia red wines that you simply have to try. Not sure where to begin? Join us as we present to you our favourite South Australian wines for those whose preference lies with an indulgent red.
South Australian Shiraz
Shiraz is widely considered the classic Australian red wine. The grape varietal used to make it is Syrah, originating from the Rhône Valley in France. The new name came about after the grape landed in Australia in the 1830s, and gradually morphed into its New World variant.
Typically, South Australian Shiraz is built around flavours of spice, blue and black fruits, with a good dash of pepper. Full-bodied Australian Shiraz leans on the side of rich, ripe and intense fruit flavours, but there are also the cooler styles that tend to be more medium bodied, and a whole lot spicier.
Barossa Valley Shiraz is possibly the most famous South Australian red wine. Focused around strongly ripened currant, blackberry and mocha aromas, this is a wine that is characteristically earthy. Flavour profiles tend to be powerfully fruit driven, with alcohol levels naturally high at 14-15%+ Alcohol by Volume (ABV).
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Longview ‘The Piece’ Shiraz from the Adelaide Hills delivers dark cherry, bright blackberry, anise clove and black pepper flavours. But the rich flavours are beautifully balanced courtesy of the winemaker’s trademark freshness that characterises the long finish.
Jauma Gentle Folk Village Shiraz is another gem from a boutique winery set in the Adelaide Hills. Deep red in colour yet light and well rounded, this wine delivers aromas of spice, cherry and tomato, hastily followed by in-depth cherry and tomato flavours and a dainty finish of spice.
La Bise ‘The Kiss’ Shiraz is a fruit driven South Australian red wine with a bright acidity. Blackberry, dark cherry and a subtle suggestion of baking spices give it a touch of elegance.
Penfolds Grange Shiraz is an exuberant and weighty South Australia red wine bearing all sorts of complex sweet and savoury aromas and bold, deep flavours courtesy of an abundance of juicy red fruits. On the nose, there are hints of black olives, liquorice and soy, before notes of roasted hazelnut and ground coffee beans waft in to introduce an audacious and most irresistible flavour profile.
South Australian Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon tends to be made up of dark fruit flavours and aromas, normally stemming from plum, black cherry and blackberry, and supported by the likes of vanilla, liquorice, spice and black pepper.
It’s also not unusual to get a whiff of tobacco, leather and eucalyptus aromas in an Australian Cabernet Sauvignon, which is widely known for its power, complexity, elegance, acidity and ability to age well.
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Devil’s Elbow, named after a hair-raising piece of road near the Longview Estate where this wine is made, is a powerful Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged for 20 months in French oak and made from grapes only grown on the Longview estate, this wine presents bold flavours of blackcurrant, clove, mint and toast.
Longview Macclesfield Cabernet Sauvignon also has its flavour origins in blackcurrant, clove and mint, but this time a heady waft of wood smoke comes into the mix. Full bodied with a rich and creamy texture, this is a wine that delivers a pleasingly long finish.
South Australian Grenache
Bursting with aromas of orange peel, raspberry, plum, white pepper and tobacco, Grenache will typically be composed of balanced tannins, medium acidity and lush berries. Styles will vary quite a bit depending on where the grapes are grown, but typically this is a crowd-pleasing wine that pairs well with a host of foods.
Deriving from the Garnacha grape which originated in the Aragon region of Spain, Grenache tends to be lighter and a touch more aromatic than Shiraz.
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Hedonist Ecology Grenache is a versatile South Australian red wine that presents a degree of complexity and texture, but still manages to be pleasantly refreshing. Notes of raspberry and cranberry dominate, whilst pink musk and herbal tones linger happily throughout.
South Australian red wine blends
It’s common for wineries South Australia wide to different varieties of grapes, allowing them to coax out greater levels of complexity.
‘GSM’ blends, for example, marry Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro (Mourvèdre). The full-bodied GSM blend originated in the Southern Rhône of France, and is renowned for its fervent ripe fruit and dried herb aromas, and bright fruit flavours. GSM blends from Barossa Valley wineries will often pack in fragrant violet, and present a lingering, velvety texture.
Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz is another iconic blended South Australia red wine that takes the structure and texture of Cabernet Sauvignon, and overlays it with the agility of Shiraz.
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The Caley from Yalumba, the oldest family-owned winery in Australia, is crafted from grapes selected from the winemaker’s best three vineyards around Coonawarra and the Barossa Valley. Black and red currants, savoury herbs and pipe tobacco lead the flavour profile, whilst a silky finish rounds everything off perfectly on the palate.
Jauma Tikka the Cosmic Cat Shiraz Grenache delivers jammy notes on the palate, with suggestions of freshly pressed grape juice, soft spices and red clay baked earth. On the nose, there’s candied fruit. The light body makes this a good wine for quaffing, and if you dare to break the rules, you might even chill it down for your ultimate enjoyment.
South Australian red wine – try for yourself!
Keen to give South Australia red wine a try? The Oddbins Australian wine range is certain to have exactly what you’re after. Not sure which of the South Australian wine brands will tempt your taste buds? Try our Premium South Australian wine mixed case, or contact our helpful team for advice via Live Chat, e-mail or by calling 0800 328 23 23.
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