Red or White in the Hunter Valley

Which wine reigns supreme in the Hunter Valley wine region?

People’s conviction on what wine variety is best is an ongoing dispute, with some strongly hating the other, whereas some are able to switch from both. No matter your preference, the differences between red and white wines go far beyond just the choice of grapes and the colour, with a range of wine-making methods, flavours, and styles making each wine. Here are the best wines for each red and white lovers at the Hunter Valley, so you don’t even need to choose when visiting!

For White Wine Lovers

• Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon

  This white wine is on the cheaper side, but it doesn’t make it any less appealing. It has a green hau to it, with lime and lemongrass hints that are perfect for a summer or spring drink. Made by the famous winemaker Adrian Sparks, who won the award for the best Hunter Vallery winemaker in 2019, so it’s got to be good!

• First Creek Winemaker’s Reserve Chardonnay

  If you are a big chardonnay fan, First Creek’s wine is for you! This particular wine won the James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge in 2018, whizzing it to the top of the white wine list ever since! Its buttery taste with hints of peach and grapefruit make it an outstanding and refreshing choice of wine.

• Mount Pleasant Single Vineyard Lovedale Semillon

  Mount Pleasant truly does white wines best, with their other Semillon reaching our top list as well. This wine’s vineyard was planted in 1946 after World War II, making the very first Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon created in 1950. Its recipe has changed very little over the years, leaving it an historic and stunning drop to try during your Hunter Valley trip. The fantastic complexity of flavours will satisfy even the fussiest wine drinker around!

For Red Wine Lovers

• Brokenwood Shiraz

  Shiraz is typically a harder red wine to swallow, with only the true red wine drinkers able to enjoy the bite of Shiraz. However, Brokenwood winery makes it a bit easier for the everyday drinker, with this excellent variety of Shiraz. The soil’s heavy clay content makes this wine a fuller flavour and character, with it ranging in age and blend. At 14% abv, it’s on the strong side, but it won’t stop you from drinking the whole bottle once you get a taste of it!

• Lake’s Folly Cabernet blend

  Lake’s Folly name comes from the Doctor who first established this vineyard. Despite his career prior to being a winemaker, Lake Follys wine succeeds immensely, considered Australia’s first ‘boutique’ winery ever to be established. The Cabernet blend is one of the best wines to choose from, with the fine Chardonnay a close second!

Related article: The Different Types of Wines Produced in the Hunter Region

Cameron Ward

Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.