The event, held in Australia House on 29 September, echoes recent enthusiasm in the press around the resurgence of Australian wine and statistics showing Australian wine priced above AU$10 (FOB) grew by 37 per cent in the UK in the past year.
The tasting will tell Australia’s premium wine stories through more than 500 world-class wines. With a land size not dissimilar to Continental Europe, it will also highlight the diversity of Australia’s 65 unique wine regions.
Brands including The Lane, Tyrrell’s and Castagna will be present alongside a selection of wineries who are looking for distribution such as Macedon Ranges’ Curly Flat, McLaren Vale’s Oliver’s Taranga and Heathcote’s Chalmers.
To show some of the country’s more unexpected premium offerings, 21st Century Vino will put the spotlight on Italian varieties with a free-pour tasting of more than 50 Australian wines, curated by wine writers Walter Speller and Jane Faulkner.
Mr Speller, who judged at the Alternative Varieties Show in Australia last year, will also host three masterclass forums, the first of which will be introduced by Jancis Robinson MW. Themes of the forums include an exploration into the history of Italian grape varieties in Australia, family legacies and their regional impact and the ‘hip, hot and happening’ wines of tomorrow.
Mr Speller was initially curious about the Italian grape varieties grown in Australia and after a deeper investigation was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the wines produced.
“These varieties have found a new home and, more than that, are expressing their origin in a completely unique, transparent way,” he said.
“21st Century Vino tracks these exciting developments in three forums, while a free-pour of more than 50 wines shows the relevance of Italian varieties in Australia.”
Regional Director Laura Jewell MW said the Premium Australia Tasting will expose yet another dimension to Australia’s innovative winemaking.
“This is our first major event for the autumn and we want to showcase the breadth of styles within our premium portfolio,” she said.
“Australian wine is increasingly making headlines around the world and you will taste why with a selection of the country’s premium wines together under one roof.”
Also attending the tasting will be Wine Australia’s General Manager, Market Development, Stuart Barclay and Global Education Manager, Mark Davidson.
Australian winemakers confirmed to attend this event include De Bortoli’s Steve Webber and Leanne De Bortoli, Pizzini’s Joel Pizzini and Joch Bosworth from Battle of Bosworth.
Other events in Wine Australia’s Market Programme Guide that focus on Australian fine wine include the Langton’s Classification Roadshow in March.
For more information about this event, contact Wine Australia’s Education and Events Manager, Emma Symington at London WC2B 4LG, +44 (0)207 438 4665, uk@wineaustralia.com