If you want to really experience Australian wine culture, South Australia is where you should go. This state, founded by free settlers, not convicts, produces more than half of the country’s wines. Although the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale are probably the best-known wine regions, there’s a real gem that many tourists miss: the Clare Valley.
Ninety minutes north of South Australia’s capital, Adelaide, Clare makes only one percent of Australia’s wine. But it's a charming rural area which produces wines that win critical acclaim across Australia and around the world.
Winemaking began in Clare in 1851 led by Austrian Jesuits at Sevenhills. Today there are 40 wineries in the region and most are boutique and family owned.
When it comes to reds, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and blends are popular. One such blend is Kilikanoon 2016 Mulga ($13.97 on sale), a GSM made from Grenache, Shiraz, and Mataro (Mourvedre). It’s a fruit bomb with boysenberry along with balsamic, spice and black pepper notes in a smooth medium bodied wine.
Another cuvée is The Barry Brother’s 2014 Shiraz Cabernet ($27.99). It’s highly decorated, taking Top Gold at the 2016 Royal Adelaide show and the Trophy for Best Cabernet Shiraz Blend at the 2016 Royal Queensland Wine Show
The winery’s namesake, Jim Barry was the first trained winemaker in the Clare Valley and set the benchmark for high quality in the Clare region. Today his son Peter Barry continues the pursuit of excellence along with Peter’s sons Tom and Sam who made the 2014 Shiraz Cabernet.
“Dad (Peter) presented my brother Sam and I with the opportunity to make a wine that represented the younger generation and we chose to make our mark on the classic Australian blend of Shiraz and Cabernet,” said third generation family winemaker, Tom.
