Shiraz is probably the first wine that comes to mind when you think of Australia, followed by the outstanding Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon. We can easily take pride in the excellent winemakers who helped establish the Australian red blends, such as Maurice O’Shea and Max Schubert. Maurice fortified red blends and introduced them to Australians during his productive years. He innovated Australian red wine and gained respect and admiration from wine lovers all over the country. For over 35 years, he laid the groundwork for future generations to continue to produce more and more beautiful blends.
His colleague, Schubert, is responsible for creating the iconic Cabernet-Shiraz blend. But he didn’t stop there. In 1960 he made and bottled his first Penfolds Bin 389. It quickly became known worldwide, and wine lovers couldn’t wait to taste it. Australian wine is in a thrilling phase right now. The blends are now more delicious than ever. They represent a perfect mix that guarantees the Australian wine industry’s bright future.
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Vegan Red Wine
As veganism grows increasingly popular, manufacturers are trying to create vegan-friendly products. They’re now widely available and are an excellent replacement for every animal-based product. Surprisingly, wine is on this list as well. You think that wine is vegan and plant-based, but the ingredients used in the production can contain animal products. During the “fining” stage of production, winemakers use fining agents, such as egg whites, casein, isinglass, fish oil and gelatin. And that’s why the wine is not suitable for vegans.
But things are changing for vegans who love wine. The delicious vegan red wines are made in two ways. The first one is by adding non-animal fining products such as bentonite. The second way is by leaving the wine particles, such as proteins, tannins, phenolics and tartrates, to sink to the bottom on their own, but this takes more time than usual. This fining process removes yeast, cloudiness, unwanted flavours and colouring.
It can be difficult to recognise which wines are vegan and which are not. Sometimes they’re not labelled right, and people get confused. One safe way to buy vegan red wines is by looking for the unfined/unfiltered mark. This means it was left to stabilise on its own without using a fining agent. Most reputable companies will disclose on their websites whether the fining method they apply uses animal products. You could also try performing a fast online search for the wine brand and see if they have vegan red wine.
Shiraz
One of the most popular red wines in Australia is shiraz. You can sometimes find it under the name Syrah. Before spreading worldwide, shiraz was planted and produced in France. It has a distinctive smell of smoke, black fruit and pepper spice. It’s grown in one of the most popular wine regions in Australia, Yarra Valley, and in France, the Rhone Valley is the main shiraz producer. Shiraz has a robust flavour and a gorgeous ruby-purple colour from the red-skinned grapes. Blueberry and blackberry flavours are present, while the overall shiraz flavour profile is completed by smoked beef jerky, bacon, and pepper spice.
The amount of alcohol in it may differ depending on where you are. Alcohol concentrations will be lower (13–14%) in cooler regions and higher in warmer areas (14.5-15.5%). Typically, shiraz is a dry wine. This indicates that yeast helps in the transformation of grape sugar into alcohol. Dryness makes it low in calories, and a 750ml bottle has roughly 625 calories altogether. It’ll be ideal for consumption after you leave it for 15 minutes in the refrigerator at a temperature of about 15 degrees Celsius. It goes well with stews, spaghetti, duck, game, mushrooms, and grilled meat.
Pinot Noir
A red wine made from the Pinot Noir grape has long been a global favourite, and Australia is no exception. It originates from Vitis vinifera, France’s earliest black wine vine species. It must grow in milder climates to maintain its elegance and distinctive acidity. It was planted all over the world due to its richness, but France, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Germany, and Switzerland are the nations that produce the best Pinot Noir.
Pinot Noir is a dry wine with a light to medium red colour. It boasts smooth tannins and bright acidity. You taste the luscious and delicate flavours of cherry, raspberry, and forest floor. Some producers love ageing it in French wood, so this way, you’ll also get vanilla and baking spice. These flavours give the wine a rich texture. Pinot Noir is produced in warmer areas and has higher alcohol content, around 12-15%. Because of its dryness, one 750ml bottle has only 625 calories. Its best serving temperature is 12 degrees Celsius, and it goes great with pasta, risotto, mushrooms, duck, salmon, chicken and pork.
Merlot
Did you know that the word Merlot originates from the French phrase “the little blackbird”? This wine’s smooth and velvety texture offers a unique taste experience. Although it can tolerate a range of temperatures, the quality will suffer in flavour if you overplant it. Dry Merlot has a medium acidity and alcohol content. Due to its adaptability, it can take on a variety of flavours, including cocoa, vanilla, clove, and cedar, as well as blackberries, herbs, plums, and black cherries.
It usually has a rich ruby red colour with hints of a brick-orange taste. It will become crimson as it ages and loses colour. Depending on the region in which it is grown, Merlot has an alcohol content that ranges from 13 to 14.5% and is usually produced as low-calorie. It works perfectly with pasta, burgers, pizza and white and dark meats.
Health Benefits
Over the years, many studies have shown that moderate amounts of red wine will have significant health benefits. But remember that there’s a thin line between moderate and excessive, so be careful. Consuming too much can harm your physical and mental health, and too little will not show any of the benefits. Red wine contains many antioxidants such as epicatechin, resveratrol and proanthocyanins that are very beneficial for your health. It also lowers bad cholesterol levels and keeps the heart healthy by preventing the clotting of blood vessels.
Doctors also found out that red wine reduces the risk of cancer because it obstructs the action of a cancer-aiding protein. The antioxidants also fight off the free radicals, which have a significant role in the common cold. It may come as a surprise, but resveratrol minimises the fat cells in our body. This way, it can help you stay slim. Its antibacterial properties also have a positive effect on digestive disorders.