MCLAREN VALE RED WINE

McLaren Vale is one of South Australia’s key wine regions, with long-established vineyards known for their high-quality red wines. Some premium red wines from McLaren Vale include Shiraz, Grenache, Mataro (Mourvèdre) and Cabernet Sauvignon.

This coastal region has the ideal combination of a Mediterranean climate and varying soil types. McLaren Vale is also home to many innovative winemakers, reflected in its wide and exciting selection of red wines.

McLaren Vale is located in South Australia, around 35 kilometres south of Adelaide. The region is part of the Fleurieu Peninsula, which sits between the Mount Lofty Ranges and the Gulf St Vincent.

Its proximity to the Southern Ocean gives McLaren Vale a Mediterranean climate, with warm summers and mild winters.

Nearby wine regions include Adelaide Hills to the east and Langhorne Creek to the east. McLaren Vale is a popular destination for wine tourism in Australia, as it is close to the city of Adelaide and near many beautiful beaches.

Wines have been made in the McLaren Vale region for over 175 years. John Reynell planted the first vines here in 1838, making it one of the oldest wine regions in Australia. Over the years, McLaren Vale has become famous for its Mediterranean climate and diverse soil types from sand to clay to limestone, making it the ideal location for growing a wide variety of grapes.

McLaren Vale is celebrated today for its wide variety of red wines, particularly robust Shiraz, fragrant Grenache and rich Cabernet Sauvignon. While reds dominate, the region also makes excellent white wines, including Chardonnay. The region has a thriving wine community and over 160 vineyards.

McLaren Vale is home to many international red grape varieties:

• Shiraz – Shiraz is the star of McLaren Vale. These dry red wines are typically full-bodied, with a velvety texture and moderate, easy-drinking acidity. They feature bold blackberry, plum and black cherry flavours with hints of chocolate and spice.
• Grenache – McLaren Vale Grenache is usually medium-to-full-bodied, with a smooth texture and medium acidity. These dry wines have red fruit flavours of raspberry and strawberry. They can also have a distinctive white pepper note, adding warmth to red and rosé wines.
• Cabernet Sauvignon – McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon wines are full-bodied, rich and well-structured. These dry reds have flavours ranging from blackcurrant and blackberry to green capsicum, eucalypt and mint.
• Mataro – Also called Mourvèdre or Monastrell, Mataro from McLaren Vale is typically full-bodied with a rich texture. These dry wines feature dark fruit flavours of blackberry and plum, often complemented by tobacco, peppery spice and tobacco notes. The wines typically have medium-to-high tannins and medium acidity.

Australia’s reputation for making food-friendly wines is world-famous. Food is a huge part of Australia’s social culture, and plenty of McLaren Vale wines are perfect for elevating any meal.

With its full body and rich, fruity character, McLaren Vale Shiraz pairs wonderfully with hearty meats. Try it at your next barbecue. This bold, spicy wine is an excellent match to the robust flavours of grilled meats.

A medium- to full-bodied Grenache, known for its bright red fruit flavours and peppery notes, works perfectly with dishes with a hint of spice. A traditional Australian lamb roast seasoned with rosemary and garlic makes a deliciously balanced pairing with a glass of Grenache. McLaren Vale Grenache can also be paired with Spanish paella, as the wine’s fruit and spice notes mirror the flavours in the dish.

Thanks to its structured tannins and dark fruit flavours, McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon pairs very well with rich, red meat dishes. The wine’s body and tannins make it a good match for a classic cottage pie, a well-aged steak or a hearty lasagne.

A less common variety on its own, but regularly found as the M in GSM, Mataro’s dark fruit and leather notes make it a good match for gamey meats or dishes with earthy flavours. Duck, venison, grilled lamb or mushroom, and hard, mature cheeses can all stand up to this red wine’s rich texture and tannins and benefit from those juicy dark berry notes.

To fully enjoy your McLaren Vale red of choice, serve it at the right temperature. Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon are best served slightly cooler than room temperature – ideally between 16-18°C – to allow their complex flavours and aromas to shine.

Grenache and Mataro can be served at the same temperature or slightly cooler (around 15-16°C) to enhance their bright fruitiness.

Full-bodied, tannic red wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon can benefit from decanting to allow the tannins to soften and more of their fruit character and complexity to shine through. An hour or two should be enough.

Choosing a large, bowl-shaped glass, such as a Bordeaux-style wine glass, will allow the wine to breathe and direct the wine’s aromas towards your nose. This will help enhance the overall taste.