Australian Capital Territory
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Canberra District
Wine has been made in the Canberra District for 160 years. The district's vineyards cover a large altitudinal range of 300 to 800 metres, facilitating the production of exquisite, award winning cool climate wines. This region has one of the most strongly continental climates in Australia. The range in temperature, vineyard elevations, varying soil types and the application of the winemaker’s skill and individual character enables production of a wide range of varieties . Riesling, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and quite often Pinot Noir all produce wines of considerable personality. The ability to ripen the same fruit across the whole region provides great diversity within styles. Almost all of the wineries in the district are small; most were founded by academics and civil servants of scientific persuasion.
Wine Varieties
Chardonnay
Sweeping past Riesling, the ubiquitous Chardonnay is an integral product range component for the majority of wineries. Despite the somewhat schizophrenic climate, some notably elegant wines are produced, with a good structure and complexity that reflects its cooler aspects.
Riesling
For some of the wineries, Riesling vies with Chardonnay as the most important white wine, showing similar personality and characteristics. The majority are made in a crisp, gently toasty, dry style, with sweeter styles less favoured than previously. Botrytis is not a significant factor. However, in the warmer years, more tropical characteristics appear. Modest yields ensure that the wines age well in bottle for up to a decade.
Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon
Attractive, moderately herbaceous wines are made from these varieties. They are frequently blended, but sometimes Sauvignon Blanc appears alone. The wines have good structure and the cooler vintages generate the best flavours.
Cabernet Sauvignon
As with all the wines of the region, the varied climatic conditions which prevail from one vintage to the next and differing approaches in the winery make generalisations about style more than usually hazardous. Sometimes made as a single varietal wine but increasingly blended with Merlot, Cabernet’s overall weight and extract varies from light, leafy and minty to rich, concentrated and chocolatey.
Shiraz
This is a variety which is starting to come into its own as part of the general resurgence of interest, with several wineries producing spectacularly good examples that are redolent of spice, black cherry and liquorice. It would not surprise to see plantings of the Shiraz increase significantly in future years.