Auswineonline are pleased to announce the arrival of 2 new wineries to the UK,

Flametree Winery (Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy winner 2007-for the 1 year old best wine in Australia) and Kalgan River [...]]]> Well it does what it says on the tin – an online independent wine merchant offering wines from Western Australia!

Flametree winery is in the Margaret River (Western Australia) , whislt Kalgan River winery is also in Western Australia near Albany.

The Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy is awarded for the best Australian beverage wine for a one-year-old red wine, the type of wine Jimmy Watson liked to serve at his wine bar in Victoria, Australia.The Jimmy Watson Trophy remains Australia’s most coveted wine award.

The selection of wines so far seems a bit limited , but they have won some recognition at a variety of events. Should be worth keeping an eye on as new wines are added to their list. Good background notes on the  wineries concerned. I’d like to see a bit more – more wines, more about the company – and more info on ordering etc!

However, it looks as though you have to buy by the unmixed half-case (minimum 12 bottles) – and I assume delivery charges are included.

Auswineonline. 3rd Floor, 61 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1JU t: 0207 7886670 (office only)

We hold regular, free, local tastings here at Castle Hill Cottage, Cattistock at which new wines, as well as some on our list, are open for tasting. Our customers have been able [...]]]> Another Western Australia specialist, albeit with an idiosyncratic diversion into Irish Whiskey. Based in deepest Dorset they also offer regular tastings -

We hold regular, free, local tastings here at Castle Hill Cottage, Cattistock at which new wines, as well as some on our list, are open for tasting. Our customers have been able to taste many different Western Australian wines in the last year.

The site offers an interesting range of wines including tasting notes, but the background information on the region and winemakers is a bit thin at the moment. That said its the wines that are important and these include, in addition to the tradtional Shiraz, Chardonnays, Merlots and Cabernets, some Pinot Noirs, a Tempranillo a Sangiovese/Cabernet, a Verdelho and a pink Muscat!

Western Australia is quite a diverse wine region made up of numerous distinct wine producing areas. On the continent’s West coast, there is the relatively cool climate of the Margaret River, although it is bascially a continental climate, with high summer daytime temperatures and cold nights.
The Great Southern Region runs along the south coast of Western Australia and includes 5 very different sub regions, whilst Perth Hills is known for hot dry summers and cool, wet winters.
Hence I doubt if there is a Western Australia style, but a wide range of interesting and innovative wines.

UK Delivery = £10.95

Tastings offered
John Gerard Wines, Castle Hill Cottage, Cattistock, Dorchester, Dorset DT2 9JH   t:01300 320987

Henley wines have been in the wine business for many years. We are specialist wine merchants offering quality wines from [...]]]> Henley Wines specialise in the wines of Western Australia and despite initial assumptions are not based in Henley-on-Thames or Henley-in-Arden, but are named after the proprietor Alan Henley and operate primarily on the internet.

Henley wines have been in the wine business for many years. We are specialist wine merchants offering quality wines from Western Australia. We can and do provide other wines for our customers but have found that by offering a limited collection of select wines that we would be happy to drink ourselves, we can guarantee quality and satisfaction.Operating from our offices in the South East of England, we also offer wine tasting for that region. This offers an ideal opportunity to invite friends over to sample fine wine with stock available for immediate purchase. If this is of interest please go to our wine tasting section.

Their wines include producers such as Palandri, Leeuwin Estate, Voyager, Haughton and Madfish and currently feature Madfish’s Unwooded Chardonnay – “In the glass, the wine appears crisp displaying fresh green tinges to the pale straw colour. The nose is typical of cool climate Chardonnay – melons and peach supported by finer grapefruit and mandarin aromas. The array of flavours and the fine structure of the palate are an indication of the quality of the vintage, with the lower alcohol in the wine bringing a delicate softness to the palate.

UK Delivery =£10.00

Tastings offered
Henley Wines, Stranvaesia, Kent Avenue, Minster, Sheerness, Kent ME12 2DX t: 01795 872368