When Captain Arthur Phillip anchored off the shores of Sydney Bay in 1788, it is highly unlikely that he anticipated the grape vine he was carrying would sow the seeds for Australia to one day become the world’s fifth largest wine producer. Benefiting from exceptional natural conditions, a rich variety of soils, and determined cultivators who have been relentlessly exploring and innovating, Australian wines have progressed to develop a worldwide reputation for their bold fruity fragrances and soft tannin, a combination that is particularly popular in the Chinese market.
In order to uncover the secrets of Australian wines, ALDI
has joined forces with a team of expert sommeliers who have
scoured Australia’s vast landscape to uncover the origins of
the best wines out of Australia. These are five distinctive
Together, we have selected five distinctive wine regions
that boast established local roots in winemaking traditions,
and have ensured that every step of the production process,
from vine to table, is completely traceable.
Barossa Valley —One of Australia’s Best-Known Wine Making
Regions
Located in South Australia, the Barossa Valley lies northeast of Adelaide and its history of wine making can be traced back to 1842. The first immigrants to this region were Germans from Silesia, and it is for this reason that the small town of Tanunda maintains many German traditions to this day.
Benefiting from a large temperature difference between day
and night, and a warm climate with little rain, the Barossa
Valley is one of the best places to produce full-bodied red
wines, fortified wines, and white wines that are full on the
palate. Almost half of the vineyards in the Barossa Valley
produce the Shiraz grape, a dark-skinned fruit that produces
wines that are renowned for being robust and rich tasting
with a mature tannin, abundant fruitiness, and obvious notes
of spices. These wines also age extremely well.
Handpicked for You
The Player Shiraz
· Hand-made with Barossa Valley Shiraz
· Taste: Gentle on the palate with a firm tannin, lightly
matured fruitiness, and unexpected subtle notes of
blackberries and mint
· Ideal
pairings: Roast lamb, steak or dark chocolate
McLaren Vale — One of Australia’s Oldest Red Wine
Producing Area
Located south of Adelaide and close to St. Vincent Bay, McLaren Vale boasts a long history of wine making. It has also won worldwide recognition for the local producers’ pioneering efforts to follow environmentally friendly techniques, with many chateaus developing organic and even biodynamic plantations.
Near to the sea, Adelaide enjoys a variety of climates.
Approximately half of the yield here is Shiraz, making it
the absolute leading star. The Shirazes of McLaren Valley
combine dark chocolate undertones with hints of blueberries
and various spices to create a full-bodied wine that
delivers a sophisticated aftertaste.
Handpicked for You
A.C. Byrne & Co. Shiraz
· Produced from the highest quality McLaren
Vale grapes that were harvested in cool evenings
· Taste: Rich and strong flavors blended with luxurious
blackberry tastes
· Ideal pairings:
Red meat and pasta
Riverina — A Paradise for Pollution-Free Grapes
Calling New South Wales its home, Riverina is the second largest wine-producing region in Australia. The area was formed from the sediment carried by streams from the Great Dividing Range. The Riverina benefits from a warm and dry climate with excellent water quality and produces grapes that are renowned for their high quality, natural and pollution-free.
As a result of the many Italian immigrants who once called
Riverina their home, this area of Australia produces plenty
of dinner wines and boasts a large number of great chateaus.
It is one of the regions from which ALDI has sourced the
largest varieties of wines.
Handpicked for You
Little Birdwood Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Merlot
· Rated “Outstanding” by Huon Hooke
· Winestate 2016 Best Value for Price
· Taste: Cabernet Sauvignon creates the structure, while
Shiraz and Merlot introduce a full-bodied and luxurious feel
to the mouth
· Ideal pairings: Red
meat
South Point Pinot Gris
· 2014 Royal Perth Wine Show – Silver
Medal
· Taste: Soft tannins with
strong fruity fragrance and a light note of minerals
·
Ideal pairings: Fish, steak, scallops, and cheese
Margaret River — One of the World’s Most Secluded and Purest Winemaking Regions
Located on the southwest corner of West Australia and
surrounded by the sea, the Margaret River is nicknamed the
Bordeaux of Australia. Enjoying an oceanic climate with
classic Mediterranean water precipitation and a sandy soil
that is great for water drainage, the Margaret River offers
a balanced proportion of red and white grapes. Cabernet
Sauvignon and Merlot are the region’s best wines; they a
delicate and firm tannin structure, a strong and
sophisticated taste, and great aging potential.
Handpicked for You
A.C. Byrne & Co. Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
· Margaret River Wine Show - Silver
Medal
· Riverina Wine Show - Bronze
Medal
· Taste: Rich in berries and
plum, with a long-lasting aftertaste with tannin
·
Ideal pairings: Lemon sole, red meat, cheese, avocado
Victoria — Where Most Australian Chateaus Call Home
Victoria is the smallest continent state located on the southeastern coast of Australia. Featuring a variety of climates—a torrid continental climate in the northwest and gentle coastal climate in the Yarra Valley—together with a myriad of soil types, Victoria provides an ideal natural conditions in which to grow grapes.
There are currently more than 600 wineries in Victoria, and the area is particularly well known for fortified spirits and sweet wines that are produced on the northeastern coast. These wines are mostly made with late-picked grapes and aged in barrels for months or even years at a time, hence the higher alcohol content.
Handpicked for You
Claire Creek Merlot
· ALDI’s No. 1 selling wine
· Pocketed 59 medals at the 2016 Australia Wine Show
· 2016 Royal Adelaide Wine Show - Gold Medal
· The whole procedure is managed by an experienced and
talented team and follows a rigorous aging process of six
months in French oak barrels
· Taste:
Savory and mellow with rich red berries, plum, and
blackberry, along with a delicate oak note
· Ideal pairings: Roasted duck, pasta, and pizza
The Pond Cabernet Sauvignon
· 6 awards that shows its quality
· Riverina Wine Exhibition 2016 Gold
Medal
· Royal
Melbourne Wine Show Silver Medal
· Sydney International Wine Competition
2015
The World's 100 Wine
Award , Blue-golden Medal
· Melbourne International Wine Show
2015 Golden Medal
· PerthRoyal Wine Show 2016 Bronze Medal
· Royal Adelaide Wine show Bronze Medal
· Fruity, combined with soft black fruit and mixed oak
spice
· Ideal pairings: roast meat,
spaghetti, beef
ALDI believes that high quality comes from high standards.
To become a qualified, suppliers have to pass rigorous tests
conducted by an independent institution. From ingredient
selection to wine making, a fundamental focus on quality is
emphasized at every step of our production process. Our
relentless commitment to quality doesn’t end there. Our
expert team continues to run regular tests to ensure all
products meet our stringent standards on an ongoing
basis.
