It’s Aussie Wine Month – here’s where to uncork

Caroline Tunnell-Jones
May 11, 2014, updated May 12, 2014

As part of this celebration, sommeliers around the country are putting together all-Australian wine by-the-glass lists, to showcase the incredible range of high quality Australian wines that are available.

Now in it’s third year, the month-long event focuses on the theme ‘Regional Heroes’. It aims to help us uncover some of the great characters in the Australian wine industry, and make us even more proud about the wines produced in our own backyard.

“Aussie Wine Month is a great way to find out about Australian wine,” says Peter Marchant of Esquire in Brisbane. “You can show people what Coonawarra Cabernet is like, but getting to know the stories behind the wine is what really makes it memorable”.

No 4 Blake Street in Perth

“Some characters we’ve featured include Brad Hickey from Brash Higgins, a larrikin making really interesting wines, the team behind Tolpuddle who have resurrected an amazing vineyard, and industry stalwart Iain Riggs from Brokenwood, who commands so much respect.”

Australian wine lists have come a long way from the days when Barossa Pearl and Blue Nun were a feature. Nowadays, our tastes have broadened, and our appetite for great local wine has soared – whether it comes from Margaret River or Mornington Peninsula.

Getting to know the stories behind the wine is what really makes it memorable

All sommeliers who enter the Australia-wine-by-the-glass event will be in the running to win a nine-day trip to experience some of Australia’s wine regions, including Mount Benson, Adelaide Hills, Clare Valley, King Valley and Heathcote.

“Sommeliers are getting creative with their Australian wine by-the-glass lists for this event, featuring wines from different decades, vertical tastings of a particular wine or regional/varietal explorations”, says Wine Australia’s Aaron Brasher.

“The winner will be judged on creativity, a clear focus on Australian wine, their ability to promote their Australian wines-by-the-glass offering through social media and other networks and the thought behind their selection”, says Brasher.

Join sommeliers around Australia by raising a glass to toast Aussie Wine.