Australia & New Zealand Wine Tasting | Southern Hemisphere Sip

This Australia and New Zealand wine tasting experience at Stem Wine Bar brought together six exceptional wines, and Chef Dom crafted small plates, offering a true taste of Southern Hemisphere terroir. Paul and Jules delivered their trademark warmth (Jules’s wit was a highlight!), and Brian, our sommelier, wowed us with his encyclopedic wine knowledge. We kicked off the evening with The Italian cocktail: Cocchi Rosa, blood-orange liqueur, prosecco, and a lemon twist—a fitting toast to a memorable night.

A Quick Sip of Australia & New Zealand

Australia

Australia’s wine landscape spans a variety of climates and regions. Barossa Valley, for instance, is one of the country’s oldest and most prestigious regions—renowned especially for its bold Shiraz, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, and herbal Riesling. It boasts a Mediterranean climate, warm valley floors, and cooler vineyards on surrounding hills, with some vines dating back to the mid-1800s. Meanwhile, McLaren Vale, just south of Adelaide, benefits from a similar warm climate tempered by coastal breezes, resulting in rich Shiraz and Grenache wines . Furthermore, regions like Victoria, Yarra Valley, Hunter Valley, and Tasmania are gaining recognition for their elegant Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Semillon, and sparkling wines.

New Zealand

On the other hand, New Zealand offers a distinctly different terroir. Central Otago, the world’s most southerly commercial wine region, features high-altitude vineyards and a continental climate—hot, dry summers, cold winters, and glacial soils—ideal for producing intense, elegant Pinot Noir. In addition, Marlborough sits at the forefront of the New Zealand wine industry, accounting for around 70% of plantings. Its maritime climate yields vibrant Sauvignon Blancs and increasingly refined Pinot Noir .

Round 1: Coastal Whites in the Australia and New Zealand Wine Tasting

Kono, Marlborough 2023, Sauvignon Blanc
Food Pairing: Ika Mata – salmon ceviche with coconut milk, citrus, cucumber, red onion, kiwi.

• Smell & Taste: Vibrant citrus zest with hints of passionfruit and lemongrass; crisp, mineral-driven acidity.
• Winery Note: Kono’s Sauvignon Blanc blends fruit from Marlborough’s Waihopai, Awatere, and Rapaura sub-regions, offering purity and tropical brightness sourced from both owned vineyards and trusted growers.
• Pairing Highlight: Furthermore, the creamy coconut and fresh citrus in the ceviche enhanced the wine’s vibrant zest.

Torbreck, Barossa Valley 2024, Semillon
Food Pairing: Grilled head-on shrimp with sweet-potato lemon-butter sauce.

• Smell & Taste: Honeyed lemon with saline minerality and vibrant acidity.
• Winery Note: Torbreck is grounded in over 175 years of winemaking tradition in Barossa. From vines planted as early as the 1840s, these historic parcels—sourced from family growers—provide the core of their estate wines 
• Pairing Highlight: In addition, the buttery sauce mirrored the wine’s texture; the shrimp’s char added savory contrast.

Round 2: Elegant Reds at Our Australia and New Zealand Wine Tasting

Mohua, Central Otago 2020, Pinot Noir
Food Pairing: Lamb lollipop with New Zealand BBQ sauce.

• Smell & Taste: Aromatic black cherry, strawberries, and spice; soft tannins and a smooth finish.
• Winery Note: Mohua is lovingly owned and managed by two generations of the McLachlan family—Lindsay and his son Fraser—who together craft premium Central Otago Pinot Noir with a focus on sustainable practices since founding the winery in 2009.
• Pairing Highlight: Meanwhile, the lamb lollipop’s smoky glaze echoed the wine’s spicy red fruit.

Torbreck ‘Juveniles’ 2022 (Grenache/Mataro/Carignan/Counoise)
Food Pairing: Chicken Parmigiana with San Marzano tomato, mozzarella, parmesan, basil.

• Smell & Taste: Juicy red berries and earthy spice with lively acidity.
• Winery Note: Torbreck’s ‘Juveniles’ was crafted as a Côtes du Rhône–inspired bistro wine, using classic Barossa Grenache and Mataro.
• Pairing Highlight: Additionally, the tomato and basil on the Chicken Parm made the wine’s savory complexity shine.

As we progressed through the Australia and New Zealand wine tasting, the contrast between crisp coastal whites and bold regional reds became even more pronounced—highlighting the breadth of flavors Down Under.

Round 3: Rich & Indulgent Flavors in the Australia and New Zealand Wine Tasting

Tait, McLaren Vale 2022, Shiraz
Food Pairing: Kiwi steak pie with cheddar and onion.

• Smell & Taste: Cherry, blueberry, and mocha with toasted oak; rich tannins and a warm finish.
• Winery Note: The Tait family’s winemaking story in Australia began when Giovanni Tait migrated from Italy in 1957 to bring his cooperage skills to the Barossa Valley.
• Pairing Highlight: Consequently, the steak pie and cheddar highlighted the wine’s earthy spice.

Buller Wines, Victoria NV (Carignan/Cabernet/Shiraz/Grenache)
Food Pairling: Sticky date pudding with butterscotch sauce.

• Smell & Taste: Dark berries and caramel; lush, velvety texture.
• Winery Note: From Victoria, this blend balances ripe fruit with structured tannins and smooth richness.
• Pairing Highlight: Finally, the sticky date pudding with butterscotch offered a decadent finish that complemented the plush wine beautifully.

Bonus Round: Barossa Classics – A Bonus in the Australia and New Zealand Wine Tasting

St. Hallett Blackwell Shiraz 2021 (Barossa Valley, Australia)

• Smell & Taste: Dense, inky flavors of blackberry and black cherry, followed by licorice, chocolate, mocha, coal, nutmeg, and light peppercorn—rich yet balanced, with mocha-dusted tannins and a poised finish.
• Winery Note: Created to honor winemaker Stuart Blackwell, sourcing from old-vine Barossa (Ebenezer, Greenock, Moppa Hills), delivering bold, structured flavor.

Elderton Estates Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 (Barossa Valley, Australia)

• Smell & Taste: Bright cassis and blackberry fruit with notes of chocolate, mint, eucalyptus, cedar, roasted herbs, and pepper—all wrapped in supple, mouth-coating tannins.
• Winery Note: Crafted from old-vine blocks in Nuriootpa, Craneford, and Eden Valley, matured in French oak, this wine balances power, freshness, and finesse.

Favorite Bites

The highlight dishes stole the show:

• Grilled shrimp with sweet‑potato lemon‑butter sauce: The first bite of buttery sweetness perfectly balanced the head-on shrimp’s char. A delightful fusion of surf and sweet that had diners reaching for seconds.
• Tender lamb lollipops glazed in New Zealand BBQ sauce: Juicy, fall-off-the-bone lamb with a sticky, smoky glaze—rich and satisfying, yet refined enough not to overwhelm the wine.
• Epic sticky date pudding with butterscotch sauce: This decadent dessert was a showstopper—huge, indulgent, sweet with caramel and date richness, perfectly rounded by plush Shiraz and Carinena Cab Sauvignon, Shiraz, Grenache dessert wine from Victoria.

Coming Soon: Spain in July

Loved this Australia and New Zealand wine tasting recap? Sign up now to reserve your spot for our July Spain tasting. Next month, Stem will travel to Spain. Think Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Priorat, and more—paired with Chef Dom’s inspired Spanish fare. Spots are limited; reserve yours through Stem Wine Bar!

📅 Dates: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays throughout July 2025
📍 Location: Stem Wine Bar, 1311 Johnson Ferry Rd Ste 516, Marietta, GA 30068
🎟️ Tickets: Available on Eventbrite

Discover More on Our Wine Journey

To explore more Southern Hemisphere tastings, check out our previous recaps:

• Chile & Argentina Wine Tasting at Stem Wine Bar – Dive into robust reds and crisp whites from South America. Read more.
• South Africa Wine Tasting at Stem Wine Bar – Explore the flavors of Stellenbosch, Swartland, and more. Read more.