Australia has massively diverse wine regions, some of the oldest vines on the planet and is the biggest wine producer in the southern hemisphere, so it’s fair to say there’s a lot going on!
Luckily for you, we’ve sifted through and selected the best bottles from key Australian styles so you can dive into the country’s massive pool of wine. An entire pool of wine, now that’s a thought. Once you’re finished daydreaming, we’ll start with Australia’s most popular grape varietal...
Barossa Valley Shiraz
McGuigan Shortlist Barossa Valley Shiraz
A classic full-flavoured and fruit-driven Barossa Valley Shiraz, this wine is plush with juicy plum and ripe mulberry. Because of the maturation in a blend of American and French hogsheads, there are background hints of soft vanilla and spice too. Leave it a little while to open up and it feels lovingly fresh and vibrant leaving you wanting sip after sip. The slight acidity would cut through grilled meats and hearty vegetable dishes very nicely as well.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £15
Barossa Ink Shiraz
Drawing on grapes from the entire Barossa area, the resulting liquid is packed with intensity with plenty of mocha notes from the oak ageing as well as fruit-forward berries. Let it breathe for an hour before drinking to really let the flavours sing. Hearty meats and steak would pair fantastically with this bottle.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £10
Eden Valley Riesling
Pewsey Vale Riesling 2021
Australia is second only to Germany for Riesling production, and this is one you can rely on. It has an intense nose of minerality, lemon and lime, with more orchard notes on the palate – green apple and pear lead the show. It’s crisp and dry with very gentle herbal and floral touches before minerality returns on the finish. Leave it a while to open up for the best results. This Riesling would be great with tonnes of different dishes from seafood to salty meats and cheeses, and even spicier options – you really can’t go too wrong.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: UK £16.75 // US $19.99
Not Your Grandma’s Riesling 2021
This is a bone-dry Riesling has that quintessential in your face citrus acidity with lemon and lime upfront and softer apple and pear behind. There’s a lovely salinity and steely minerality wrapped up in a sumptuous mouthfeel and all in all, it feels powerful on the palate. It’s another wine that can cope with stronger food flavours too so well worth picking up and come on, we’ve got to mention the label!
Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £16.50
Rag & Bone Riesling 2020
From The Magpie Estate, this is a classic Eden Valley Riesling with lots of ripe fruit flooding the nose, most significantly fresh lime and minerals. Crisp citrus unfolds on tasting with more lemon than lime and a touch of sweetness in what is a stunningly fresh and balanced wine.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £12.75
Margaret River Chardonnay
Filius Chardonnay
Australia has been making expert use of this grape in modern times, particularly from slightly cooler parts like Margaret River on the west coast. The first vineyard there was Vasse Felix, which created this fragrant fruit-forward Chardonnay. There’s the zip of lemon, with aromatic peach, mango and pear, and a touch of white pepper. It’s full bodied with buttery softness in the mouth and bakery characteristics, but with a slight acid crunch to cut through the sweetness with precision. Mouth-wateringly moreish!
Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: UK £18.20 // US $25.99
Flametree Chardonnay 2020
Flametree Wines sits on the beautiful shores of Geographe Bay where Margaret River begins. Their previous vintage won Decanter Magazine Wine of the Year in 2021 and the follow-up doesn’t disappoint. The 9 months of oak ageing give a lovely toasty spice that verges on buttery pastry, and that’s lifted by white peach and tropical citrus. Super-easy drinking and balanced from nose to finish.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £17.49
Hay Shed Hill Chardonnay 2019
This is a fantastic showcase of Margaret River Chardonnay. Straight away it’s classic stone fruit and buttery oak on the nose, opening up to a crisp and clean palate filled with dried apricot and citrus, whilst retaining the oaky notes until the finish. Every element is restrained where it needs to be and you’ll be going back for more if you’re anything like us!
Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £15.50
Margaret RIVER Cabernet Sauvignon
Filius Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
This is a seriously juicy and expressive upfront wine brimming with concentrated flavour. Think dark berries and tangy citrus but with an almost savoury earthy note. There’s a lot going on but in a good way, and it’s even better explored after aeration. It’ll sit perfectly beside any roasts you’re cooking up, particularly lamb and beef.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: UK £19.99 // US $23.99
Amy’s 2018 – Moss Wood
From Filius to another founding Margaret River estate, it’s Moss Wood with Amy’s 2018, named after the owner and winemaker’s grandmother. It’s a Cab blend with Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot added in equal measure before 18 months of oak ageing. It’s elegant but structured, anchored by an oaky earthy complexity. Blackcurrant, cherry and a touch of eucalyptus show themselves, but there’s even detectable minerality and peppery spice so it’s really full of life. Critics love it so see for yourself!
Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £16.99
Discovery Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 – Domaine Naturaliste
This delicious ruby red opens with a lively black fruit nose with curious pepper, mint and a subtly perfumy profile. This bold character continues with nice acidity, ever-present cassis, and lovely suggestions of dark chocolate and coffee. Nom!
Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £12.50
Rutherglen Muscat
Campbell's Rutherglen Muscat
This classically Australian, rich fortified wine has been overlooked in recent times, but there are still quality producers like Campbells in Victoria. Made in a similar way to sherry, new wine is introduced to older barrels and the result is liquid nectar that is dangerously moreish. It’s sweet with raisins and caramel and makes for a stunning dessert wine. Indulge yourself!
Size: 750ml
ABV: 17.5%
Find here: £12.99 Waitrose
Others
Kooliburra Sparkling Shiraz
You don’t find a sparkling red every day, and less so one that’s worth buying but this represents incredible value. Australia has been producing wonderful sparkling Shiraz for some time now and it’s underappreciated. Blackberry and rich raspberries cut through refreshing bubbles for a wine that’s best served only slightly chilled. Serve with saltier cheeses and grilled meats.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £5.99 Aldi
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz 2020
Coonwarra’s cool climate and renowned terra rossa soils have established a global reputation, producing some of Australia’s best reds. This Shiraz is bright and silky with an elegant mulberry and blackberry notes. Delicate oak adds support without dominating the character, and very gentle warming spice sees through the finish. Every sip is interesting with no one note dominating. Try it with beef or even something with spicier dressings.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.4%
Find here: £11.75
Penfolds Max’s Shiraz - Cabernet
This is a fitting tribute to former Chief Winemaker of Penfolds, Max Schubert. You’ll find generous notes of rich fruit from the Shiraz alongside a solid Cabernet Sauvignon structure to create a seriously loveable wine. Subtle chocolate, coffee and vanilla hints combine magically but don’t overstay their welcome. Impeccable balance and perfect for stews and red meats, this is a wine of real quality.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: UK £20 Tesco // US $19.99
The Good Luck Club Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Another wine from the prestigious Magpie Estate in the Ebenezer District, this intriguingly labelled bottle is 24 months aged in French oak leading to great structure and bold flavours. Mellow vanilla and oak sit beneath damson, blackcurrant, and blackberry, all wrapped up in a gorgeously smooth mouthfeel that more than hits the mark.
Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £13.95
If you’re in the mood for some other Australian gems, we’ve harvested the cream of their crop here.
