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Margaret River
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Margaret River and its Western Australian setting, Cabernet and the Bordeaux blend, Chardonnay, Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc.
All levels 108 min 12 steps About Margaret River
Part of Australia
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Start with the region, a narrow peninsula between the Indian and Southern Oceans, first identified for fine wine by Dr John Gladstones in 1965.
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Western Australia: Zones, Regions and Grapes
Step back to Western Australia, where Margaret River is one of six regions in the South West Australia zone and the largest reporting region by crush.
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Then Great Southern, which the same 1965 Gladstones climate paper identified for fine wine alongside Margaret River.
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Now the grapes, starting with Cabernet Sauvignon, which Margaret River estates such as Cullen and Leeuwin make with elegance.
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Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
See it at home in Margaret River Cabernet, from a maritime Mediterranean climate, lateritic ironstone soils and a long, dry growing season.
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Merlot, planted in Australia mainly as a supporting partner in Cabernet-led Bordeaux blends, with Margaret River among its sites.
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Then the Bordeaux blend itself, the six-variety model that winemakers worldwide have adopted, Australia's premium regions among them.
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Turn to the whites with Chardonnay, which counts Australia's Margaret River among its compelling expressions beyond France.
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Barrel Fermentation (Chardonnay, Sémillon, Whites)
Then barrel fermentation, which Leeuwin Estate in Margaret River uses for its Art Series Chardonnay in new French oak barriques.
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Sémillon, which in Margaret River produces richer, rounder styles often blended with Sauvignon Blanc.
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Sauvignon Blanc, the other half of that blend, with significant plantings in Margaret River.
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Set Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc side by side on origins, climate, flavor, body and aging potential.
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