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Margaret River Wine Growing Region

Margaret River in Western Australia is a relative new area among Australian wine growing regions, and with its stunning coastline and world-class wineries, it is one of Australia's most inspiring wine regions. It is located 260km south of Perth in the southwest corner of the state.

Surrounded by the sea on three sides, Margaret River has a strong maritime climate which is unlike any other major Australian wine growing region. The region runs along the coast from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin in the south. The Margaret River flows east to west through its centre and the Blackwood River flows southwest to Augusta. The soils are gravelly sandy loams

In a little over 30 years this region has become a flourishing centre for an internationally recognised wine industry. The maritime climate with long cool ripening periods and free draining soils, making it ideal for premium quality fruit. It is responsible for only about 1% of Australia's production, but makes up as much as 20% of the premium wine market.

Initially regarded as a producer of Cabernet Sauvignon, the region has since forged a reputation for its fruity, dry whites notably Chardonnay and a Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blend. However, it is capable of producing all the classic varietal wines with the possible exception of the continental varieties, Pinot Noir and Riesling. There are around 70 wineries and the main varieties grown are Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.

Chardonnay
Leeuwin Estate at Margaret River is one of the pioneers of Chardonnay in the region, and is considered to be one of Australia's greatest examples of Chardonnay if not the greatest. There are many other producers of outstanding Chardonnay in the region, and the grapes seem to have a special character that is unique to the Margaret River region. The wine is concentrated, complex, viscous and tangy, but does not cloy or become heavy. The fruit lends itself to the full range of winemaking techniques and the region's winemakers produce an excellent product.

Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon
Maragaret River Sauvignon Blancs and Semillons are used as single varietals, or as blends with one or other component dominant or supplemented by Chenin Blanc to produce a regional specialty often called Classic Dry White. In most vintage years the region blends the two varieties together in a way which is unique to Margaret River. The Semillon and even Chenin Blanc acquire a pleasantly herbal, grassy cut which shades into Sauvignon Blanc. These wines are distinguished, with intensity and elegance.

Cabernet Sauvignon
Margaret River's reputation as a wine growing region was originally founded on Cabernet Sauvignon, and it is still an important variety in the region today. Almost every winery produces a Cabernet, although Merlot is an increasingly common blend component. The style has evolved over time, with a different winemakers and viticulturists giving rise to a number of distinctive and stylish interpretations of Cabernet and Merlot. The Cabernets tends to have a sweet blackcurrant, fruit and spice flavour, often with slightly earthy or gravelly tannins. These latter characteristics are very much a product of the local environment, which provides complexity, authority and structure.

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Ian Love is the boss of Australian online wine store, specialising in premium red wines and runs Perth's largest wine clubs.

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