Adelaide Hills red wine

Adelaide Hills is one of South Australia’s top wine regions and truly deserves its fame. While it’s famous for crisp white wines, Adelaide Hills red wines are elegant, vibrant and delicious.

Popular reds include Pinot Noir, known for its silky feel and berry flavours, and Shiraz, rich with spicy notes and dark fruit.

The region’s cool climate and varied elevations contribute to the wines’ distinctiveness and balance. Exploring Adelaide Hills’ red wine means discovering wines that reflect the unique landscape.

The Adelaide Hills is a relatively young wine region compared to some of Australia’s older wine regions. The modern wine industry began in the late 1970s and early 1980s when pioneering winemakers recognised the potential of the region’s cool climate for producing high-quality wines. The area’s varied elevations and microclimates make it ideal for cultivating various grape varieties, particularly cool-climate whites and reds like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Shiraz.

The region quickly gained a reputation for its innovative and high-quality wines, attracting established and new winemakers. Today, Adelaide Hills is known for its diverse wine styles and commitment to sustainable viticulture, making it one of Australia’s premier wine regions.

Several red wine grape varieties in Adelaide Hills are grown, benefiting from the region’s cool climate. Key red grape varieties include:

• Pinot Noir – Small, thin-skinned and tightly clustered, this variety is known for producing elegant and aromatic red wines. Pinot Noir grapes thrive in the Adelaide Hills in cooler, elevated areas, particularly in regions such as Piccadilly Valley and Lenswood. The region’s cool climate, with its crisp nights and warm days, allows the grapes to ripen gradually. This results in wines with vibrant acidity, bright red berry flavours and subtle earthy tones.

• Shiraz – Thick-skinned Shiraz grapes create wines that are rich and spicy with dark fruit notes. In the Adelaide Hills, Shiraz is grown in slightly warmer areas such as Kersbrook and Mount Barker. The region’s diverse microclimates enable the grapes to develop layers of complex flavour. Any natural spiciness is balanced with a refined structure.

• Cabernet Sauvignon – This popular variety creates structured wines with dark fruit and fresh herb notes. Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Adelaide Hills are full-bodied in style and have balanced acidity because the grapes grow in warmer areas. Plenty of sunlight and moderate temperatures create powerful and elegant wines.

Gamay, Grenache and Merlot red grapes are also grown in the region.

Adelaide Hills is home to several stellar red wines made in a variety of styles. They include:

Pinot Noir

The region’s signature wine, Pinot Noir from Adelaide Hills is elegant and aromatic, featuring notes of strawberry, cherry and earth with a medium body. The wine’s silky texture and bright acidity are thanks to the cooler climates in areas such as Piccadilly Valley and Lenswood. Despite its complexity, it’s very easy to drink.

Shiraz

Shiraz is known for its spicy character and dark fruit flavours, such as blackberry and plum. With a medium to full body and lively character, these wines have a fine balance of richness and elegance. They are typically produced in subregions with varied microclimates, allowing winemakers to create different styles of this popular grape.

Cabernet Sauvignon

This red is known for its structured body and vibrant acidity, with flavours of blackcurrant, dark cherry and a hint of mint. Cabernet Sauvignon wines have firm tannins and a refined texture. They are often produced in warmer sub-regions like Kersbrook and Mount Barker.

Grenache

Adelaide Hills Grenache is known for its medium body and juicy taste, with flavours of red berries and spice and a floral scent. The wine’s soft feel and balanced acidity make it easy to drink and pair with different foods. It’s usually grown in sandy soils, which boosts its aroma.

Merlot

Adelaide Hills Merlot is known for its soft texture and full body, with warm flavours of plum, chocolate, and gentle herbal hints. Grown in the cooler areas, the mild climate keeps the grapes’ juicy acidity and smooth tannins. It’s often used in blends.

Adelaide Hills reds are known for their elegance and vibrancy, making them a versatile match for a variety of foods.

Overall, these red wines pair well with richer dishes like roasted meats, grilled vegetables and pasta tossed in a hearty sauce.

Pinot Noir pairs well with dishes like roast duck or mushroom risotto, as its soft tannins and bright red fruit flavours enhance their earthy, savoury notes. Shiraz is known for its spiciness and dark fruit character, which complement barbecued meats or spicy sausages.

Cabernet Sauvignon from Adelaide Hills, with its structured tannins and blackcurrant notes, pairs beautifully with lamb dishes or beef stews, matching the richness and depth of the food.

Adelaide Hills Merlot has a plush texture and warm flavours that complement creamy and hearty meals. Think pasta dishes, casseroles and soft cheeses.