Riverland

Riverland is Australia’s largest wine-producing region, accounting for nearly 30 per cent of the country’s crush and nearly 60 per cent of South Australia’s grapes. Responsible for a major percentage of all Australian wine exported overseas and until recently known for the quantity of its wine, the region has now upped its ante with regards to quality in response to international competition.

This sprawling vineyard area surrounds the Murray River from Blanchetown, through Renmark to the border with Victoria. The climate is hot here with high evaporation rates and low rainfall so irrigation, with water from the Murray River, is essential. It is also continental, meaning long sunny days and noticeably cooler nights, so good for winegrowing and ensuring fully ripe fruit. There’s also little disease in the vineyards due to the lowish humidity.

Fertility of the soil, which is red-brown sandy loam often overlaid with limestone, is moderate and it is the restriction of this as well as moisture that has helped to improve quality in the region, as has getting the correct mix of grape varieties. Chardonnay, Mourvedre, Grenache and Shiraz are the main ones, with varieties like Colombard, Chenin Blanc and Verdelho being increasingly used to lift the quality of white wines and Merlot and Ruby Cabernet showing potential for reds.

Riverland wines are usually labelled with the catch-all South Eastern Australia description.