Certain countries are known for producing particular sorts of wines. New Zealand for its Sauvignon Blanc and (increasingly) Pinot Noir. Argentina for its Malbec. Australia for its Shiraz.

Although these reputations may be helpful to producers with plenty of these wines to sell, marketers promoting these countries or perhaps to consumers desperately seeking rudimentary guidance, it doesn’t help producers who have other grape varieties planted, marketers who want to show greater depth or consumers interested in learning more about what these countries can produce.

The ease of the message ends up concealing the wide range of grape varieties and wine styles these countries have to offer. That’s where publications like Wine Enthusiast, or competitions such as the Australian Alternative Variety Wine Show can offer folks a wider view of the potentials that exist. The AAVWS, headed up by Max Allen, has just wrapped up its 2010 edition, and readers can download a .pdf of the wines and scores by clicking here.

Many of these wines, by virtue of their limited productions, are not available in the United States, but some do get here, and so do others that may not have been entered. Here are just a dozen examples previously reviewed in Wine Enthusiast:

• Bleasdale 2007 Second Innings Malbec Langhorne Creek (89 points, $16)
• d’Arenberg 2006 The Sticks & Stones Tempranillo-Grenache-Tinta Cao-Souzao McLaren Vale (89 points, $35)
• De Bortoli 2008 Deen De Bortoli Vat 4 Petit Verdot South Eastern Australia (88 points, $13)
• Gemtree 2008 The Phantom Petit Verdot McLaren Vale (88 points, $20)
• Massena 2005 The Howling Dog Petite Sirah Barossa Valley (93 points, $32)
• R.L. Buller & Son 2004 Calliope Limited Release Durif Rutherglen (88 points, $35)
• Rocland Estate 2008 MVR Marsanne-Viognier-Roussanne McLaren Vale (87 points, $20)
• Sidewood 2009 Pinot Gris Adelaide Hills (87 points, $16)
• Tar & Roses 2007 Tempranillo Heathcote (88 points, $30)
• Yalumba 2007 Hand-Picked t/g/v Tempranillo-Grenache-Viognier (87 points, $30)
• Yangarra Estate Vineyard 2007 Single Vineyard Roussanne McLaren Vale (91 points, $24)
• Zonte’s Footstep 2009 Single-Site Verdelho Langhorne Creek (87 points, $15)

These are not the current glamour varieties, but instead showcase some of the potential that exists in Australia for producing wines of individuality and character beyond Cabernet, Shiraz, Chardonnay and Riesling. In some cases, they may even presage the future, as the varieties in fashion–or those best suited to changing climates–are likely to evolve over time.

A similar list for New Zealand might include wines such as Millton Estate’s Chenin Blanc or Viognier, Cape Kidnapper’s Pinotage, or several of the new Grüner Veltliners now coming out. These New World regions are full of great experimenters, eager to try different grape varieties in new sites. The result is a vinous diversity worth discovering.

Be Sociable, Share!

•