I have been pondering of late if the Yarra Valley is the wine region in Australia on the rise. Producers like Luke Lambert and Hoddles Creek have been consistently turning out great wines (often at sharp prices) over the last 5 years or so, whereas my impression of the Yarra prior to that was that the region was pretty variable and only the very top end producers (in terms of price) such as Yarra Yering were really kicking goals.
Is this just a result of typical NSW based parochialism on my part? Have others observed the bar being raised significantly of late?
Yarra valley musings
Re: Yarra valley musings
If you go back in time to the eighties, Yarra Valley was one of, if not THE premier Bordeaux blend regions in the country. Think Mt Mary, Wantirna Estate, Yeringberg, St Huberts, Yarra Yering, Seville Estate and even Oakridge as examples. Some magnificent wines were made.
Then as many people's tastes moved from Cabernet to Pinot Noir and cool climate Shiraz, the Valley got a bit lost. It also faced more competition from Coonawarra and Margaret River in the Cabernet field as those places developed and moved with the times.
It took a while for it to find its feet again and to start producing excellent Chardonnays and Pinots, through mainly boutique makers and almost a generational change. The food scene developed with it, and places like Chandon and Giant Steps provided reasons to head to the Valley. So yes, I think the bar has been raised back up in recent times, albeit with more contemporary varietals and eating options.
Then as many people's tastes moved from Cabernet to Pinot Noir and cool climate Shiraz, the Valley got a bit lost. It also faced more competition from Coonawarra and Margaret River in the Cabernet field as those places developed and moved with the times.
It took a while for it to find its feet again and to start producing excellent Chardonnays and Pinots, through mainly boutique makers and almost a generational change. The food scene developed with it, and places like Chandon and Giant Steps provided reasons to head to the Valley. So yes, I think the bar has been raised back up in recent times, albeit with more contemporary varietals and eating options.