One of South Australia’s vineyard and winery destinations is Clare Valley. It is 120 km north of Adelaide. Its wineries have developed the region’s interest in growing grapes thus creating viniculture and wineries as significant Clare Valley attraction.
Clare Valley is the most appropriate location for cultivating grapes for of its complimentary climate and distinctive location. The climate is indicated by cold winters and hot summers. Its soil consists of the substances required by the grape. Moreover, its hills and valleys ranging from 300 to 1000 meters are beneficial to the vineyards.There are four well known kinds of grapes developed in Clare Valley namely the Chardonnay, Riesling, Shiraz and Semillon.
The green-skinned grape Chardonnay is one of the varities of grape that generates white wine . It’s the variety of grape that is very versatile for the taste of its fruit is very much relying on how it is grown. Furthermore, the taste of its wine identifies how it is made- if it’s thru oak or malolactic fermentation. In terms of food and wine pairing, Chardonnay is perfect with hot Asian cuisines, smoked fish and white meat. Its origin can be tracked from France and it was then introduced to Australia by James Busby in 1832.
The widely produced variety of grape in the world happens to Shiraz. Shiraz’s origin is Persia, which then produced and widely grown in France. It was spread to South Australia in 1839 by a Scotsman acknowledged as the Father of Australian wine industry named James Buby. Shiraz has a thick blackish purple skin. It yields dry red table wines. It typically grows in warmer areas for it needs heat to ripen .The wine of this grape is alcoholic, perfumed, and a bit spicy rather than fruity. It is known to be combined with other wines such as a bit of Viognier, equal blending of Chardonnay, and a small blending of Grenache and Mourvèdre. Shiraz wine is a perfect coordinate for red meats such as ham, wild boar, beef, rack of lamb and roasted venison. It’s also perfect with rice, pasta dish, cheese and dry-heated root vegetables.
Another variation of grape that produces white wine is Riesling.It is defined by its white and red skin. It’s the type of grape which is best when harvested late popularly termed as “noble rot”. It makes three flavors of wines -the dry wine, semi sweet and sweet. The three types are determined by its harvesting stage. As documented, its history can be traced from Germany and spread throughout the regions of North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. It is introduced in Australia by in 1840 by John Ainsworth Horrocks. At present, Clare Valley Riesling has turned to be the noblest Riesling wine maker in the world.
There is also a grape variety called Semillon, a kind of grape that has golden skin producing white wines. Its origin could not be tracked however it’s widespread France and Australia. It started in Australia in 1800. The fruit is vigorous and easy to grow. While Riesling and Chardonnay are highly acidic, this variety turns to be the opposite. Just like Shiraz, Semillon wine is often mixed with other wines such as sweet flavors of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. This is ideal for seafoods, chicken, turkey, vegetable lasagna , seafoods and cheese.
The stated varieties are just few of the grapes that are cultivated in the region.There are also other types such cabernet franc, grenache, merlot, and pinot noir but they’re not widely grown in the place. There are a total of fifty-one vineyards located in Clare Valley. The vineyards cover 11,000 acres of the area. These vineyards preferred their Clare Valley accommodation thus getting winery as the center of Clare Valley attraction.
