Try These Terrific Wines from “Down Under”

Last month I taught a class at Bellingham Technical College that featured wines from Australia and New Zealand. It almost seems as if wines from “down under” have become an overnight sensation in the United States, when in fact the winemaking success of these countries has been going on for decades.

If you like fragrant white wines with plenty of zip and your red wines with big, fruit forward flavors, chances are Australia and New Zealand will have something suit your tastes.

Here are a few of the class’s favorites, along with some personal choices that I think you might enjoy:

2004 Twin Beaks Verdelho (about $10): A bit of an obscure grape with Portuguese origins that has characteristics similar to a Pinot Gris. This release from Southeastern Australia is a terrific starter wine with citrus and pear flavors, ample acidity and a faint trace of sugar on the finish. Currently available at The Vines on Cornwall Avenue.

2005 Fauna Sauvignon Blanc (about $10): From the Marlborough region of New Zealand, here’s a zesty white wine loaded with flavors of gooseberry and lime and bracing acidity. Terrific with snapper, sole and shellfish.

2003 Four Emus Cabernet/ Shiraz/ Merlot (about $9): Western Australia is the home of this affordable blend that tastes a bit like a Cabernet Franc. Dark berry flavors are backed up ample tannins and a bit of an herbaceous finish. Try some at your next barbeque.

2002 Kilikanoon Shiraz (about $19): This dark, inky Shiraz from South Australia will blow you away. Plush and fat with overripe berry and plum flavors and a silky smooth finish. An incredible, must-try wine that I also purchased at The Vines.