South Australia - A wine paradise you can not miss out

Ms. Walker, we are very pleased to have this interview with you about South Australian wines. Do you often go to Australia? When was the last time you visited Australia?

Fongyee Walker: I actually know Australia quite well. I often visit South Australia, although I didn't have many opportunities to go during the pandemic. However, in January 2024, I took a few of my students on a thorough tour of South Australia's wine regions.

What new discoveries did you make on this trip to South Australia?

Fongyee Walker: South Australia has always been the wine capital of Australia, known for its famous wines like Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Riesling and etc. However, the most delightful discovery for me is that South Australian winegrowers are now planting a very diverse range of grape varieties. We found some very interesting varieties. For example, Picpoul is being experimented quite extensively in Barossa and can also be found in other South Australian regions. This is truly exciting! Chinese consumers are increasingly embracing white wines, and Picpoul can bring new development opportunities to South Australian white wines. I am very pleased to see this phenomenon. Besides Picpoul, we also found Fiano and Grenache Blanc worth attention as emerging white grape varieties.

What new trends do you see with South Australia's signature variety, Shiraz?

Fongyee Walker: We visited several regions in South Australia, including Barossa Valley, Eden Valley, McLaren Vale and etc. What I enjoyed the most is that South Australian Shiraz is now showcasing more diversities in style! Especially in McLaren Vale, we discovered how different terroirs and microclimates within McLaren Vale influence the styles of Shiraz. For instance, we found that Blewitt Springs, still within McLaren Vale, has sandy soils that makes its Shiraz more elegant with lifted aromas. This gives it a noticeably different profile compared to other McLaren Vale Shiraz. Similarly, Marananga in Barossa Valley also displays the distinct characteristics of Shiraz from other sub-regions. Of course, we also visited one of the oldest vineyards in Barossa Valley, the Kalimna vineyard. This vineyard embodies the history of Barossa Valley wines, with its oldest vines dating back to the 1880s.

If Chinese consumers want to visit South Australia, where would you recommend they go and what should they do?

Fongyee Walker: You definitely shouldn't miss Barossa, South Australia's most historic wine region. In addition, there are also underestimated places like McLaren Vale. Many people only go for a day to McLaren Vale, but I suggest staying a bit longer because it's so interesting. One of the biggest discoveries on our South Australia trip was the quality of the restaurants. Many of my students were surprised by how good the restuarants were. One of the most amazing place was FermentAsian, it is in Barossa and it is in Tanunda. The wine list there is also outstanding.

Do you have any recommended wines, or what South Australian wines do you like to drink?

Fongyee Walker: Recommendations really depend on what type of wine you like to drink. I like classic Fiano, such as Oliver's Taranga’s Fiano. It is made by Corrina, who is an excellent winemaker. Among the big names, I think Henschke is something you can not missed, especially their Hill of Roses. Of course, when we visited Penfolds, we tasted the 2010 Grange, which is an incredible wine.