The Hindu Business Line : Tourism and wine

Gourmets would be too glad not only to gaze the verdant grape gardens that adorn this globally recognised and leading cool climate wine region but also to gulp the sparkling wine including those made in collaboration with French Champagne houses such as fine Chardonnay, complex Pinot Noir and world class Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.

As part of the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) programme for Indian journalists, a trip to this extraordinarily beautiful valley formed part of the itinerary that is home to wines of fine fruit flavour, fine tannins and great palate length.

The Yarra Valley was Victoria’s premier wine growing district with a span stretching back over a century-and-a-half. We visited Kellybrook Winery, founded in 1962 that is still owned by the original family, and Yerring Station, which is Victoria’s first vineyard that was originally planted in 1838.

The latter boasting of the latest winery is a showpiece and award-winning wine tourism destination.

Yarra Valley Wine and Touring Guide said that over 3,600 hectares of vines yield an average of just 5.3 tonnes a hectare, 50 per cent less than the Australian national average, reflecting the pertinent stress on reduced yield to scale quality beverage. It is also stated that the Yarra Valley wine region is legally defined Geographical Indication (GI), which is designed to protect the use of the regional name under international law.

Wine labelled “Yarra Valley” must perforce consist of at least 85 per cent Yarra Valley fruit in order to uphold the label integrity. The guide explained that the Yarra Valley is cool in relation to the rest of Australia’s viticulture regions. It is cooler than Bordeaux but warmer than Burgundy with elevation varying from 50 metres to 400 metres.

Vibrant wines

For connoisseur of wines, Chardonnay is the Yarra Valley’s most widely planted white grape variety which is often made using traditional Burgundy winemaking techniques.

This variety could also be blended with Pinot Noir to form the base wine for sparkling wine. Another brand Sauvignon Blanc produces vibrant wines with full flavour and a crisp acid finish.

Range of flavours

In contrast, the guide said, Shiraz from the cool growing season of the Yarra Valley produces a style of great finesse. A range of flavours from pepper and spice to anise and plum could be savoured. But good oak handling is important to the success of this and all Yarra Valley wine styles, it was explained.

Art of wine drinking

The art of taking wine and swirling it gently before quaffing it and also lolling the wine in the mouth for awhile are also demonstrated to the visitors so that wine drinking could be a salutary experience for the overall health of the wine lover and not leaving them with a heady hangover like other beverages or hot drinks, the guide said.

With a mischievous vein, the guide said that emerging economies like India with high disposable income from a rising middle class should start savouring wines from this part of the world as they combine the best ingredients to give the value for money.

High import duty

While the tourist guide restricts himself to promoting his region’s best signature brands, the officials in DFAT in their interaction touched upon the high import duty India has erected on alcoholic beverages and wines.

It impelled them to join the chorus in the WTO with other major wine producers such as the US and the European Union to plead for lowering the protectionist barriers for promoting trade in wines.