Page 505 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

WHERE T O EA T AND DRINK  503

Red Wine
Australia’s benchmark red is Penfold’s Grange,
the creation of the late vintner Max Schubert
in the 1950s and 1960s. Due to his work,
Shiraz has established itself as Australia’s
premium red variety. However, there is also
plenty of diversity with the acknowledged
quality of Cabernet Sauvignon produced
in the Coonawarra. Recently, there has also
been a re-appraisal of traditional “old vine”
Vineyards of Leeuwin Estate, Grenache and Mourvedre varieties in the
Margaret River Barossa and McLaren Vale. Shiraz Pinot Noir
Grape Type Best Regions Best Producers
Shiraz Hunter Valley (NSW) Brokenwood, Lindmans, Tyrrells
Great Western, Sunbury (VIC) Bests, Seppelts, Craiglee
The Barossa (SA) Henschke, Penfolds, Rockford,
Torbreck
McLaren Vale (SA) Hardys, Coriole, Chapel Hill
Margaret River, Great Southern (WA) Cape Mentelle, Plantagenet
Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River (WA) Cape Mentelle, Cullen, Moss Wood
Coonawarra (SA) Wynns, Lindemans, Bowen Estate
The Barossa, Adelaide Hills (SA) Penfolds, Henschke, Petaluma
Yarra Valley, Great Western (VIC) Yarra Yering, Yerinberg, Bests
Merlot Yarra Valley, Great Western (VIC) Bests, Yara Yering
Adelaide Hills, Clare Valley (SA) Petaluma, Pikes
Pinot Noir Yarra Valley (VIC) Coldstream Hills, Tarrawarra
Gippsland, Geelong (VIC) Bass Philip, Bannockburn, Shadowfax
Beer
Most Australian beer is vat fermented real ale or lager, both consumed
chilled. Full-strength beer has an alcohol content of around 4.8 per cent,
mid-strength beers have around 3.5 per cent, while “light” beers have less
than 3 per cent. Traditionally heat sterilized, cold filtration is also popular.
Craft beers are booming, with locally produced, often quirkily named
boutique beers taking on the big-name breweries. Young Henrys from
Newtown in Sydney offers a particularly good range. Aficionados of real ale
should seek out a pub brewery. Beer is ordered by glass size: a schooner
Young Henrys Cascade is a 426 ml (15 fl oz) glass and a middy is 284 ml (10 fl oz) in NSW, though
Newtowner Premium Lager glass sizes can vary.
Spirits Other Drinks
Australian distillers produce With a climate ranging from tropical to alpine, Australia has year-round
fine dark and white rums fresh fruit for juicing. Its apples are also used to make cider. Scores of
from Queensland’s sugar still and sparkling mineral and other bottled waters now supply an
cane plantations annual market of nearly 200 million litres. Juice
(see p250). Notable bars using healthy ingredients do a booming trade
labels include in shopping areas. A thriving coffee culture
Bundaberg, from and niche organic-tea market mean a wide
the town of range of hot beverages are readily available.
that name, and
Beenleigh. Aus- White coffee
tralia’s grape
vintage is also
the basis of
good-value
domestic
brandies. Popu-
lar labels are
Bundaberg St Agnes and Pear and kiwi Banana Strawberry
rum McWilliams. frappé smoothie juice Caffe latte