The Enchantment of Australia's Wine Country
Although wine is not the first thing that comes to mind when
thinking about Australia, it has some beautiful wine country
with five distinct regions in South Australia alone. You can
take your time, in typical Australian fashion, tasting the
delicious wine and enjoying the spectacular scenery wherever
you go.
Adelaide Hills. Located just a step away from the bustling
major city Adelaide, this area provides all the comforts as
well as the relaxed pace of the country life. The
attractions of Adelaide Hills include plenty of vineyards
that you can tour and enough wine to taste. Adelaide Hills
is also close to the state of Victoria, allowing you to
enjoy some of the beautiful Victorian countryside.
Barossa. Now this is a treat. This valley is not only one
of Australia's best wine producing regions, but also known
throughout the world as a premier wine producer. The
valley's beauty and its propensity for wine growing has
attracted many influences from Europe. Many of the villages
are, in tone and architecture, similar to those found in
England or Germany. There are many traditions, and spending
the afternoon enjoying local wine with European
specialties is a great way to relax.
Clare Valley. Clare Valley boasts Australia's Reisling
Trail. The trail is 27 kilometers long, and is considered a
very fine bike ride. Most of the areas 40 cellars are on
the route, and so you can stop and sample the local fare.
There are also plenty of restaurants and hostels along the
way, allowing you to complete the trail as quickly or as
slowly as you would like.
Fleurieu Peninsula. Stretching from just south of Adelaide
this peninsula continues down to Cape Jarvis. As you can
make out from its name, this peninsula has some French
influences, fine wines included. The highlight of the
peninsula is a beautiful wine-producing district called the
McLaren Vale with close to 60 cellars. The proprietors of
these cellars are known for encouraging tasting and treating
guests to their exemplary hospitality.
Limestone Coast. Named for the limestone that forms this
part of the Australian coast, the region's wine is made
better by the rich limestone foundation. Limestone decays
the soil and it in turn breaks down into nutrients.
Additionally, the decaying process creates natural
aeration, and that is perfect for growing vineyards. In
addition to some of the world's most acclaimed wines,
Limestone Coast also features a system of underground caves
so unique that it is listed as a World Heritage Site.
You have the option to travel by car, bike, or even hot air
balloon to enjoy Australia's wine country. Hot air balloon
provides a bird's eye view of the countryside, and you can
land in the vineyards of many cellars and enjoy a glass of
wine.
A bike ride through wine country is equally enjoyable not
only in the Clare Valley but in many other bicycle friendly
places as well. There are bike trails wherever you go. As
you travel, you will soon realize that wine country in
Australia has as much style as it has substance.
Josh Cheak runs a very interesting website at
www.frmaustralia.com" FRM Australia,
there's a wealth of knowledge on the website, plus
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Read many more interesting articles on Australia at:
http://www.frmaustralia.com/articles
Chef2Chef News Desk