Australian wine impresses local trade and global buyers

In the last month, both influential buyers from the US and the next generation of Australian wine professionals have had the opportunity to visit Australian wine regions and gain a deeper understanding of Australian wine and the people who make it, following tours hosted by Wine Australia.

Guests on the US buyers’ trip said:

‘The Margaret River Cabernets are excellent, this is a secret that needs to be shared, and – after the Shiraz master class – this is what Barossa Shiraz is really all about. I have to tell my customers “if you thought you knew Barossa Shiraz, guess again”. These wines have history (old vines), complexity, elegance and balance.

‘McLaren Vale Grenache has great versatility from a lighter almost summer drinking rosé, to a wine I want to drink by a fireplace on a cold rainy day. Let's show these to the world.

‘I've always been passionate and excited about Australian wine. This trip reinforced that but I also discovered and learned new things. I am excited to take this all back and share with the team and customers at The Wine House.

Since the trip I’ve added six new Pinot Noirs to the store (four from Tassie, one from Yarra Valley and one from Mornington Peninsula).’

Adam Dromi, wine sales at online wine retailer The Wine House

 ‘I have been quite fortunate to work with Australian wines for almost 30 years now and this trip was a great opportunity to travel the country with fellow retailers. The ability to share with them some of the observations and lessons that I learned over the years is important to me and hopefully they can take some ideas back home and improve the Australian section of their stores. The group bonded very well and we shared a lot of ideas and comments and I know that we'll be supportive of each other in keeping Australian wines at the forefront of their inventory.’

Chuck Hayward, proprietor of Vinroads, wine writer and wine show judge

‘A new era of Aussie wines has arrived in the US and they have been some of the best I have seen in many years.

‘Wines we’ve tasted are true to their regions. The winemakers are right on point.

‘This has been an eye-opening experience that confirmed that Aussie is among one of the best countries to make outstanding and one-of-a-kind wines. I can go as far to say that I can see myself living there if the opportunity ever rises.’ 

Daniel Herrera, wine consultant at California retailer Woodland Hills Wine Company

 
‘The opportunity to visit and taste first-hand the nuance of the sub-regions of Australia is something that can't be overstated.

‘Each region has its own culture and personality. I felt like I had tasted all Australian wines with my eyes closed before this trip. Australia should no longer be branded as ‘Brand Australia’, it's insulting. There are too many exciting things happening and too many people making great wine that speaks of place.’

Andrea Hillsey, owner of boutique US wine retailer Square Wine Company

‘It’s nice to see that Australia's ‘State of the Union’, qualitatively speaking, is strong. There’s lots of exciting new faces coming into their own as well as established brands making some of their finest wines ever.
Kyle Meyer, managing partner, Winex.com

‘The modern Australian wine sector is not resting on its laurels. I found a vibrant scene of cooperation and competition that embraces the most up-to-date viticulture and winemaking techniques without forsaking deeply rooted family tradition.

‘There is now a dizzying array of varietals planted across radically varying climates resulting in world class wines of every stripe.’

‘In addition to the gutsy Aussie Shiraz one might expect there is elegant cool climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, rich but balanced Cabernet Sauvignon, fragrant Grenache and even striking forays into natural wine. The list goes on. Australia certainly can't be painted with a broad brush. All that remains is for the world to wake up to these truths.’

Chris Spier, wine manager at retailer Binny’s Beverage Depot, which has 32 locations across Chicago.

Guests on the Trade Immersion Program said:

‘This trip was a unique opportunity to meet a proud group of winemakers and growers who have each expressed a unique aspect of their terroir, but together have embodied the heart and soul of each region.’
Anthony Park, proprietor of Perth’s Mosman Park Fine Wine & Spirits

‘You tend to have preconceptions about some of the regions and so the value lies in visiting and getting in-depth with the makers. This opens your eyes to what makes some of these wine styles significant and genuinely exciting.’

Louis Schofield, wine merchant at Adelaide’s East End Cellars

Wine Australia General Manager Marketing, Stuart Barclay said bringing wine influencers to the regions was a critical piece in promoting Australian wine.

‘We know that the best way to tell our Australian wine story is by getting wine influencers to our diverse regions. It’s encouraging to hear of their positive perception change, the intent to sell more Australian wine in their stores and the desire to become Australian wine advocates.’

The US is Australia’s most valuable export market, and in the 12 months to March 2016, grew 4 per cent to $442 million.

Regions visited across both trips included Adelaide Hills, Barossa, Coonawarra, Langhorne Creek, McLaren Vale, Mount Benson and Mount Gambier (SA), King Valley and Yarra Valley (VIC), and Margaret River (WA).