Histories of Australian wine explain the time and place of what each historian sees as the important events from those first vineyard plantings. Yet the most important event, the embrace of table wine by Australians, never gets the attention it should.
This event covers the postwar years till let’s say the development of cask wine, the container that revolutionised our food and wine habits. This covers a 30-year period from 1945 to 1975. Changes continued as consumers adjusted to the joy and intricacies of wine. By 2000 a maturity about wine had developed that led to a wave of new varieties being introduced, the planting of many new vineyard districts and the dramatic growth of boutique wineries.
However, two varieties dear to the hearts of Barossa Valley drinkers, being those of us that favour warm climate full flavoured wines, the heritage varieties going back to the 19th century, Mataro and Grenache, were still not being recognised. Twenty years on and we are almost there. Many if not all Barossa Valley wineries now offer a Grenache or Mataro wine. Since our start in 2004 Glug has offered a large portfolio of both varieties, by far the largest in Australia and likely anywhere.
A foundation objective of ours has been to popularise these two gorgeous varieties. Both are best in warm regions and the Barossa Valley is the global leader. The 2023 vintage intrigued us as early on we noted the amazing fruit aromas. Best drink young was one thought and for this Grenache that remains my advice as I find it extraordinary. Treat this like a big, sappy young red. Just gorgeous.
