World Wide Wine: South Eastern Australia

If you've ever purchased an inexpensive Australian wine, chances are pretty good that the label included the words "South Eastern Australia."

One look at a map of the wine regions of Australia will tell you that South Eastern Australia could conceivably cover quite a bit of territory. And, in fact, that's exactly correct. "South Eastern Australia" is an officially regulated designation that covers the "super zone' of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. That's well over 90% of all of the country's vineyard area and at least that much of overall wine production.

In other words, "South Eastern Australia" doesn't tell you much in terms of geographic origin of the wine. Most often, the wines are made from a blend of grapes from various regions. Also, they're mostly inexpensive wines that are made for daily drinking, as opposed to special occasion stuff.

But don't make the mistake of thinking that these are all poor quality wines. Just the opposite! There are really good drinks in this huge group - in fact, these are the wines that made Australia an important player on the export market. With loads of gorgeous, ripe fruit to choose from, those wonderfully crazy Aussies can really blend up some tasty quaffs!

Here are a few we've particularly enjoyed lately:

Bulletin Place 2006 Chardonnay South Eastern Australia ($8). Zesty fresh lime supports crisp apple and melon fruit, staying clean through the finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area.

McWilliams Hanwood Estate 2006 Chardonnay South Eastern Australia ($12). Quite a nice surprise, starting with a crisp, mineral-laced apple character that picks up ripe peach and melon on the creamy finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area.

McWilliams Hanwood Estate 2006 Merlot South Eastern Australia ($12). Fruity and smooth, with ripe black plum fruit and generous baking spices, vanilla and toast accents that linger on the bright finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Penfolds 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon South Eastern Australia Koonunga Hill ($12). Juicy blackberry fruit picks up a bit of jammy character through the finish, along with a kick of black pepper and toasty oak. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. (Weekend Wine 12/07) Locate this wine online or in your area.

The Little Penguin 2006 Shiraz South Eastern Australia ($8). Like a chocolate dipped berry, with bright red berry fruit, smooth milk chocolate and a tasty, vanilla-laced finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Penfolds 2005 Shiraz-Cabernet South Eastern Australia Koonunga Hill ($12). Pretty floral and black fruit aromas introduce medium-bodied blackberry and currant fruit with bittersweet chocolate and toasty vanilla notes. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Shoofly 2005 Shiraz South Eastern Australia ($14). Nice cigar box aromas mingle with fleshy blackberry and cherry fruit, with a smooth, bright finish. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Yellow Tail 2006 Shiraz South Eastern Australia The Reserve ($11). Seriously. This is tasty wine! With lush black cherry and berry flavors laced with slurpable chocolate and toasty spices. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area.

These are reliably good names to look for when perusing the sea of South Eastern Australian wines, along with Pepper Tree, Banrock Station, Lindemans, Alice White, Black Opal and Black Swan.