Clare Valley pairs dry Riesling with Shiraz. Young Riesling is restrained, often showing lime and mineral notes, and it can evolve for decades. Shiraz is fuller-bodied, with ripe blackberry, spice and mint. Day and night temperature shifts help it retain acidity.
Continue through the region
Elsewhere in South Australia
- Adelaide Hills7 producersHigh, cool and wet by Australian standards, Adelaide Hills has varied altitudes and aspects. Its Sauvignon Blanc often shows grapefruit and tropical notes, with crisp acidity.
- Barossa Valley13 producersWarm, dry Barossa Valley in South Australia is known for full-bodied Shiraz and old vineyards, some dating to the nineteenth century. Cooler Eden Valley rises beside it within the wider Barossa zone.
- Coonawarra2 producersCoonawarra's narrow strip of terra rossa over limestone is closely associated with Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines are medium to full-bodied, with cassis and dark fruit, firm plush tannins, and ageing potential.
- McLaren Vale10 producersMcLaren Vale's maritime Mediterranean setting and varied soils give Shiraz and Grenache room to vary. Its Shiraz often combines fruit with spice and, sometimes, an earthy note.
Producers in Clare Valley
Producer profiles
- Jim Barry WinesClare Valley's largest family-owned estate, producing single-vineyard Shiraz from ancient sandstone at Armagh and benchmark Riesling from calcareous siltstone at Florita.