MUDGEE REGION WINES / WINERIES

The Mudgee Region has been producing wine grapes for many years. Viticulture was established in the area in 1858 by German vignerons including the Roth, Kurtz and Bucholtz families, descendants of whom are still living in the area today. Australia's chardonnay had its beginnings in the Kurtz's Eurunderee vineyard.

Current plantings of red grapes reflect the established reputation of the Mudgee Region as a premuim red wine area, but it also produces excellent Semillon, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc, as well as Italian, Spanish and French varietals.

For an overview of Mudgee Region wineries/cellar doors and the different varieties they offer, download the PDF document below.

Mudgee Region Varietal Guide - PDF (309kb)

MUDGEE WINE GRAPE GROWERS

The Mudgee Wine Grape Growers Association organises the annual Mudgee Wine Celebration as well as a number of Wine & Food Fairs around the Sydney Metropolitan area.

More information on these events and others at www.mudgeewine.com.au



WINE TASTINGS

MUDGEE REGION WINERIES & CELLAR DOORS

The Region's over 40 cellar doors are mostly of a boutique nature, which means that you won't find many of the labels on bottle shop shelves.

Most cellar doors provide a wide range of wines for tasting and sales. Unearth some real surprises, superb dessert wines and even sparkling varieties.

Surprise your friends with some stunning discoveries.

WINE SERVICES

For those times when you just can't make it to the Mudgee Region. Find out more about services available to have your favourite bottle (or twelve) delivered right to your doorstep.


GRAPE VARIETIES

Red Grapes

Shiraz
Shiraz is Australia’s most popular red wine. Ranging in styles from cool climate wines that show ripe blackberry, plums, licorice and distinctive black pepper tones to Shiraz from warmer climates that tend to be fuller bodied, packed with flavours of spice, plum, blueberry, blackberry, licorice, and chocolate, with mouth-puckering tannins. Oak and alcohol form an integral part of the sensory appeal of these wines, and in better wines these sensations will be balanced by layers of rich fruit.

Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is regarded by many as the most noble of red wine grapes. This wine can vary from the flavoursome, softly tannic, easy-drinking style through to the rich, complex, mouth-puckering style of the premium Cabernet Sauvignons. The wines generally show leafy, minty, dusty and distinctive blackcurrant characters. The more substantial wines have a richness of fruit, more towards licorice and blackcurrant characters.

Merlot
Merlot in Australia can vary from the flavoursome, rounded styles that are soft with a fleshy texture with mint, plum and fruitcake characters to the more concentrated, complex, velvety styles of Merlot. These wines show riper fruit characters of plums, blackberries, blueberries, and cassis that, with age, develop into more meaty, tobacco and chocolate complexity. In the mouth these wines are velvety, fleshy and supple, with a tannin sensation that is firm and mouth-coating.

Pinot Noir
Grown primarily in the cooler climates the styles of Pinot Noir can vary from the younger, lighter-bodied styles that can be lightly flavoured with hints of strawberry, herbal and cherry flavours through to the beautiful aged styles where with time the primary fruit flavours develop into more truffled, gamey like qualities. The ‘sweetness’ of developed fruit and alcohol adds softness to the mouthfeel. In the best wines, the harmony of flavours and mouthfeel sensations some tasters describe as ‘seamless’.

New and Emerging Varieties
The most popular emerging varieties in Australia are grape varieties from abroad, varieties from Italy including Dolcetto, Barbera, Sangiovese and Nebbiolo, Spanish varieties including Tempranillo and Graciano and French varieties such as Durif, Petit Verdot and Chambourcin. Some of these varieties, such as Durif, have been established for many years, however most of these varieties are new plantings. Other varieties that Australia is now producing are Zinfandel from California and also Tarrango, which is an Australian variety bred specifically for our warmer to hot climates.

White Grapes

Chardonnay
This adaptable classic white variety produces full-flavoured wines of great style and elegance. Grown in all states of Australia, Chardonnay grows well in all climates. Wines from vines grown in cooler climates show predominantly apple, quince, grapefruit and lime characters while those in warm and warm to hot climates are more peach and tropical fruit-like. The popularity of Chardonnay has soared thanks to these generous flavours and ripe fruit characters, easily making it the most popular Australian white wine.

Riesling
Australian winemakers make a style of Riesling which is dry, they have a natural refreshing acidity, and the intensity of flavours and the acid balance of the better wines allow them to develop and age for a long time. Their aromas and flavours are often fragrant, floral, apple, pear, lemon, citrus even passionfruit, and with age toasty and honeyed tones develop. Normally these wines are light to medium bodied and are frequently described as crisp, steely, minerally and refreshing.

Semillon
Semillons are produced in many areas of Australia, ranging from the fresh crisp Semillons that display fresh, herbaceous, grassy, quince and lemon characters to the full-flavoured toasty/ honey styles of aged Hunter Valley Semillon, a very unique Australian style of wine where wines that are initially restrained become fuller, richer and intriguingly complex with age. Where the unwooded styles of Semillon display crisp, flinty acidity on the palate, wooded Semillon styles build in texture and creamy, buttery, nutty aromas and flavours evolve.

Sauvignon Blanc
In Australia Sauvignon Blanc is used to produce a dry varietal wine that normally displays intense tropical fruit flavours with varying degrees of herbaceousness. Unwooded Sauvignon Blanc can vary from the lean and tight wines that show strong herbaceous, vegetal characters to the succulent and fresh fuller styles of the variety that have a soft, round weight in the mouth with more grassy, gooseberry-like flavours. Wooded Sauvignon Blanc shows restrained smoky oak aromas and flavours, finishing fresh and dry.

Verdelho
Verdelho in Australia is used to produce dry, sweet and fortified wines, performing well in a range of climates. Its varietal characters range from herbaceous and spicy to melon, pineapple, guava and tropical fruits, depending on where it is grown and when it is picked. Verdelho is best described as a generously flavoured style reminiscent of tropical fruits, and balanced with crisp acidity.

New and Emerging Varieties
The past decade has witnessed increased plantings of new grape varieties in Australia. Traditional varieties from various regions in Europe are finding a new home in Australia. Plantings of Viognier, Marsanne, Pinot Gris/Grigio, Gewürztraminer, and many more are becoming more and more commonplace. This trend for new varieties is adding a new level of excitement to the Australian white wines on offer.