Secret Vines Blog

Lets talk 'alternative' grapes.

21st October, 2009

In a wine sense 'alternative' has nothing to do with hairy armpits or grass skirts, but everything to do with an evolving Australian winemaking tradition. Different types of grape varieties are like different types of any other fruit. Everyone knows the difference between a Red Delicious or a Granny Smith apple. Just like everyone knows the difference between a Roma tomato or a Big Red.

Although some grape varieties were brought out with the First Fleet, James Busby (pictured) was the man who really kicked off the winemaking scene in Australia. The man known as the 'father' of Australian wine returned from a trip to Europe (mostly France) in 1832 with about 650 odd different vine cuttings of which 350 odd arrived alive and healthy. Half were planted in the Sydney Botanical gardens and the other half at Busby's estate, Kirkton, in the Hunter Valley. From there, our traditional grape varieties spread throughout the country. The most prolific early on were Shiraz, Mourvedre, Grenache, Riesling and Semillon.

It seems weird to say it now, but even Chardonnay was considered 'alternative' in Australia before its mass proliferation in the 70's. Even though Chardonnay had made many of Europe's great wines like White Burgundy, Chablis and Champagne for hundreds of years. And yes, I did say Champagne...Chardonnay gives Champagne its backbone.

But time marches on. As does Australian wine. The best may be yet to come.

Two stunning new alternative kids on the block in the red department are Tempranillo and Nebbiolo. The former the King of Spain, the latter the King of Italy.

And here they are, two of the best.....

To check out the mighty JOSEPH Nebbiolo click here

Or the unctuous Oliver's Taranga Tempranillo click here

In the white wine department we're featuring the Oliver's Taranga Fiano (a big variety of the future to be sure).

It's a crisp white wine with tropical curves. To check her out click here

Be quick, these have all been made in tiny quantities. There is less than a couple hundred cases of each of these wines made.

Happy Drinking!

Tim