Some 40% of all wines imported into Malaysia are produced in Australia. With Australia Day being celebrated by many Australians on January 26, it’s an appropriate time to observe and recognize the importance that Australia plays in our enjoyment of wine here in Malaysia. Australia’s multiculturalism is also reflected in the wines made from the variety of grapes now grown in the country. As such, we thought it timely to sample some grape varieties not always associated with the Land Down Under and can highly recommend four styles we recently tasted: Grenache, Moscato, Vermentino, and Tempranillo.

Wine Heritage
The history of wine production in Australia dates back to the late 18th century, with the first grapevines being planted shortly after a penal colony was established by the English in 1788. However, it wasn’t until the 19th century that Australian winemaking began to flourish. Early European settlers, especially from countries with long-established wine cultures, played a pivotal role in introducing winemaking to the country.
The first significant foreign influence came from the French, particularly near Sydney and then the Hunter Valley. Two French war prisoners from the Loire convinced the English to nurture grape production in exchange for their freedom. However, it turned out that the French were imposters, but that didn’t stop others in their quest to satisfy their cravings for a fine drop.
Arguably the biggest influences on the wine industry were Prussian immigrants who settled in Southern Australia’s Barossa Valley. Most were Old Lutherans who sought religious freedom from King Frederick William III’s attempts to unify the Reformed and Lutheran sects into a single church. Not surprisingly, they introduced their beloved Riesling vines, and it’s no accident that some of the world’s finest Rieslings are still produced by descendants of these families in the Barossa, Eden and Clare Valleys.
In the late 1800s, Italian migration introduced native varieties from their part of the wine world. They contributed to the diversification of Australia’s grape palette, introducing Sangiovese and Barbera, which adapted well to Australia’s warm climate. Another wave of migration occurred at the end of World War II when Australia sponsored migrants from war-torn Europe. Today, Australian wines reflect a blend of foreign expertise and local innovation.

Deakin Moscato
Deakin Estate Moscato is a delightfully refreshing wine that is produced in the vast Mildura irrigation area along the Murray River in Victoria. Known for its sweet, aromatic profile, Moscato has witnessed an increase in popularity with those seeking fruity, sweet, light and easy-drinking wine. Made from Moscato grapes, Deakin Estate captures the grape’s natural fruity sweetness while balancing it with refreshing acidity. The estate believes in sustainability and innovation with this wine exhibiting a delicate balance between sweetness and fruitiness. It has an inviting bouquet of citrus, orange blossom, and peach aromas, with flavours of ripe fruit and a touch of honey. Its slight effervescence adds to its refreshing, lively character, making it perfect for pre-dinner drinks, brunch, or the celebration of a sweet dessert, especially those that are fruit-based. At just 6% alcohol, this is guaranteed to disappear quickly, so have a few extra bottles on hand. Like many Australians, this wine doesn’t take itself too seriously and is a wine that’s guaranteed to get a reaction and start a conversation.
Producer: Deakin Estate
Style: Moscato
Region: Murray Darling, Victoria
Vintage: 2023
Grape Varieties: Muscat Gordo Blanco
Alcohol Content: 6%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: RM85
La La Land Vermentino
We have to admit that the name, the label design, and the price combine to provide a compelling reason to buy the wines of La La Land. We sample two here – an Italian variety (Vermentino) and a Spanish variety (Tempranillo). Both combine a playful spirit, high-quality winemaking, and the heritage of one of Australia’s pioneer winemakers. La La Land Wines is part of McWilliam’s Wines, a well-established family-owned winery that has been crafting wines for almost 150 years. La La Land Wines is its contemporary and accessible range that appeals to younger, trend-conscious drinkers while maintaining the family winery’s commitment to quality. This white wine displays the versatility of the Vermentino grape, which is native to the Italian wine regions of Sardinia and Liguria. Transplanted in Australia, it has gained popularity due to its ability to produce a fresh, aromatic wine that reflects the desire by consumers for something new. It is a crisp, vibrant wine with zesty acidity and citrus and tropical fruit flavours. Notes of lime, lemon zest, and green apple are complemented by subtle herbal and floral undertones provide a refreshing, clean finish. The wine’s balanced structure and lively profile make it an excellent choice for seafood dishes, salads, and lightly spiced local dishes. La La Land Vermentino is a testament to the growing appeal of Mediterranean grape varietals in Australia, offering contemporary local flair to a classic Italian variety.
Producer: La La Land
Style: Vermentino
Region: Southern New South Wales
Vintage: 2021
Grape Varieties: Vermentino
Alcohol Content: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: RM88
La La Land Tempranillo
La La Land Tempranillo is a distinctive red wine from La La Land vineyards in South Australia. The Tempranillo grape, which originates from Spain, is renowned for producing wines that are rich, medium-bodied, and full of character, and La La Land’s version highlights the versatility of the variety. This Tempranillo displays a deep, vibrant red colour, and offers a complex bouquet of dark fruit aromas, including blackberry, plum and cherry, alongside hints of spice, leather, and subtle oak. On the palate, it is smooth and well-structured, with flavours of ripe black fruit, integrated tannins, and a touch of earthy complexity. The wine’s moderate acidity provides balance, while its soft tannins ensure a smooth, lingering finish. It stands out for its ability to maintain traditional flavours of Spanish Tempranillo while producing an Australian wine that is both approachable and full of depth. It pairs well with barbequed meats, tapas, hard cheeses, and lightly spiced Malaysian curries.
Producer: La La Land
Style: Tempranillo
Region: South Australia
Vintage: 2021
Grape Varieties: Tempranillo
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: RM88
Wirra Wirra Absconder Grenache
Wirra Wirra Absconder Grenache is a bold and expressive wine with serious intent that showcases the rich winemaking tradition of the McLaren Vale region in South Australia. Wirra Wirra has been crafting exceptional wines since 1894, with a focus on quality and innovation. These wines reflect the unique terroir of McLaren Vale, a warm climate region with diverse soils that are perfect for growing Grenache. The Absconder Grenache is a vibrant, fruit-driven wine that captures the essence of this iconic grape variety. With its origins in Spain, Grenache (Garnacha) has found an ideal home in McLaren Vale, where its warm climate produces rich, ripe fruit flavours. Fruit for this wine is sourced from a vineyard planted in the time of Wirra Wirra’s founder Robert Strangways Wigley. Wigley was an eccentric whose lust for life had at times seen him fall foul of the law. He supposedly ‘absconded’ from Adelaide after an infamous encounter with the law and was ‘banished’ to the McLaren Vale.
The Absconder Grenache is characterised by its deep red colour, complex aromas of raspberry, strawberry, and subtle spice, and silky texture. On the palate, it delivers an elegant balance of fruit sweetness and savoury tannins, with hints of liquorice and dried herbs. The name ‘Absconder’ refers to the bold, daring nature of the wine, an apt description for a Grenache that is both expressive and sophisticated. It is a perfect companion for grilled meats, five-spice roast duck, Hainanese chicken rice or spicy local dishes such as beef rendang. Its fruit richness is laced with spice and fresh herbs and fine tannins combine to produce an elegant wine with concentrated flavours. Chief winemaker Paul Smith suggests that the wine will drink well over the next 20 years… if you can wait that long.
Producer: Wirra Wirra
Style: Absconder Grenache
Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia
Vintage: 2020
Grape Varieties: Grenache
Alcohol Content: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Price: RM248

Feature image credit to www.afar.com