Page 384 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

382  VIC T ORIA

Wines of Victoria

Victoria has approximately 850 wineries located
in 21 distinct wine regions, some easily reached Wentworth
in less than an hour by car from the state capital, MILDURA •
MILDURA •
Melbourne. The northeast is famous for its unique
fortified Muscats and Tokays (often described as
liquid toffee), while from the cooler south come Ouyen
silky Chardonnays and subtle Pinot Noirs. There
is no better way to enjoy Victorian wine than
in one of the many restaurants and bistros
in cosmopolitan Melbourne (see pp526–9).
Sea Lake
Best’s is one of the oldest family-
owned wineries in Australia. This
producer makes excellent Shiraz,
Merlot, Dolcetto and Riesling
wines. Self-guided tours of its
150-year-old wooden cellar are
free and available every day.
Horsham

Glaneig River

BALLARAT
Hamilton
Hamilton
Lake
Corangamite
Colac
Warehouse lined with wine barrels at Seppelt Great Western

Key facts
Location and include Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet
Climate Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. Whites
Warm in the north, include Semillon, Gewürztraminer,
cool in the south, Riesling, Chardonnay, Marsanne,
Victoria’s climate spectrum Frontignac and Pinot Gris.
yields a diversity of wines. Many Victoria also produces excellent
small, high-quality producers sparkling wine.
have been in the vanguard of
the Australian wine revolution, Good Producers
which began in the 1970s. Morris, Campbells, Brown
Brothers, De Bortoli,
Grape Varieties Trentham Estate,
Victoria’s varied Seppelt, Best’s,
climate and soil Mount Langi Ghiran,
means it is possible Jasper Hill, Yarra
to grow a full Yering, Coldstream
range of grape Hills, Tahbilk Wines, Four Sisters was
varieties. Reds Mitchelton. established by the
pioneering winemaker
Trevor Mast.