Three Southern Hemisphere Red Wine Blends

Australia, Argentina, and Chile each boast rich histories of winemaking that reflect their unique terroirs and cultural influences, as well as the origins of their signature grape varietals. Australia’s wine journey began with early European settlers in the 18th century, who quickly recognized the potential of its diverse landscapes, leading to the establishment of iconic regions like Barossa Valley and Hunter Valley, where Syrah (or Shiraz) was adapted from its roots in France’s Rhône Valley. Meanwhile, Argentina’s viticultural roots trace back to the Spanish colonization in the 16th century, with the high-altitude vineyards of Mendoza now celebrated for producing exceptional Malbec, originally from southwest France. Chile’s winemaking heritage dates back to the Spanish in the 16th century; today, it is renowned for its Carmenere grape, once a key grape in Bordeaux before finding its home in the Central Valley. Together, these three countries represent the dynamic evolution of winemaking in the Southern Hemisphere, showcasing a blend of tradition, innovation, and passion for quality, all while embracing the unique characteristics of their adopted varietals. 

Let me tell you a bit more about these signature red grapes and the red wine blends you can enjoy from these southern hemisphere countries.

Syrah in Australia

Syrah, known as Shiraz in Australia, has become synonymous with the country’s wine identity, particularly in regions like Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale. Originally hailing from the Rhône Valley in France, this grape has found a unique expression in Australia’s diverse climates and terroirs. The sun-drenched vineyards produce grapes that yield wines rich in dark fruit flavours, peppery spice, and chocolate undertones, often complemented by a robust structure and velvety tannins. Australia’s winemakers have embraced techniques such as barrel aging and blending, allowing for a range of styles—from bold and fruit-forward to more elegant and nuanced offerings. It is common to find Grenache Syrah Mourvedre (GSM) blends in Australia, and I have an example for you below.  GSM blends were originally developed in the Rhône Valley.

Malbec in Argentina

Malbec has become the flagship varietal of Argentina, particularly flourishing in the high-altitude vineyards of Mendoza. Originally from southwest France, where it is less prominent, Malbec found its ideal home in Argentina’s sunny days and cool nights, which help develop its deep colour and concentrated flavours. The altitude of Mendoza allows for a longer growing season, producing grapes that showcase ripe black fruit, floral notes, and a hint of earthiness, with velvety tannins that create a luxurious mouthfeel. The high desert climate has even changed the Malbec grape to grow thicker skins to protect itself from the sun’s rays.  Argentine winemakers skillfully balance traditional methods with modern technology, crafting wines that not only highlight the grape’s rich heritage but also express the unique terroir of the Andes foothills.  Malbec tends to be made as a single-varietal wine in Argentina but is more commonly added to a Bordeaux blend in France.  I have a Cabernet Franc Malbec blend wine below to tell you about.

Carmenere in Chile

Carmenere, once a staple of Bordeaux, has found a new home in Chile, where it has emerged as the country’s signature grape. Rediscovered in the 1990s, this varietal thrives in the warm, sunny climate of the Central Valley, particularly in regions like Colchagua and Maipo. The unique combination of soil types, coupled with Chile’s distinct diurnal temperature variation, allows Carmenere to develop its characteristic flavours of ripe black fruit, green bell pepper, and subtle herbaceous notes. Chilean winemakers have embraced this grape, often producing wines with soft tannins and a silky finish, perfect for pairing with a variety of cuisines. Carmenere’s journey from obscurity to prominence reflects not only the adaptability of the grape but also Chile’s commitment to crafting high-quality wines that showcase their rich terroir.  Camenere can be found as a single-varietal wine or in a blend in Chile.  I have a Carmenere Cabernet Sauvignon blend to review for you below.

My Wine Tasting Notes

Barossa Valley Estate Grenache Syrah Mourvedre 2020, Australia (BC $24.99)

From the winery, “Vineyard blocks were harvested and vinified separately. Fruit was destemmed and transferred into fermentation tanks for pre-fermentation maceration, then fermented at controlled temperatures for up to seven days to retain the elegant and vibrant varietal characters and create soft tannin structure. Upon completion of fermentation, the wine was racked and underwent malolactic fermentation. It was then aged for 12 months in French oak barrels.”

Appearance: It has a dull, opaque to the rim, garnet colour.  Tears on the sides of the glass with swirling. 
Nose: Medium-plus intensity aromas of black fruit, coffee, black plums, plus touches of sweet spice and toasted oak. No change to the aromas after decanting.
Palate: This wine is dryish, with a medium-plus body and pronounced flavour intensity. Very bright fruit flavours of black fruit, plums, roasted black fruit, plus touches of coffee, sweet spices, black pepper and oak. Medium tannins and medium-plus acidity. More fruity plus a floral touch after decanting.  The black pepper and sweet spices were absent.
Finish: A medium-plus length with lighter tannins and bright acidity to finish.  Juicy berries, raspberries and some pepperiness on the finish. A sweeter fruit finish after decanting.

A fresh GSM.  Juicy fruit with acidity backbone.  No need to decant.

Rating: A GSM with an opaque garnet colour.  Medium-plus intensity aromas of black fruit, coffee, black plums, plus touches of sweet spice and toasted oak. Medium-plus body with pronounced flavours; black fruit, plums, roasted black fruit, plus touches of coffee, sweet spices, black pepper and oak.  Medium tannins and medium-plus acidity.  Medium-plus length.

Bodega El Porvenir Amauta Corte Cabernet Franc Malbec 2022, Argentina (BC $)

From the winery, “For indigenous communities, Amauta was a teacher and wise man. Our wines prove it’s possible to understand nature’s provisions by applying wisdom to a humble vision…”

The wine underwent a cold pre-fermentation maceration for 4 days before alcoholic fermentation for 14 days.  Post-fermentation maceration for 15 days with spontaneous malolactic fermentation. It is aged in French and American oak vats and barrels for 6-8 months.

Appearance: An opaque, dull garnet colour, from rim to core. Tears on the sides of the glass with swirling. 
Nose: A medium-minus intensity nose with aromas of toast and black plum with hints of blackberries and char. Lighter aromas after decanting.
Palate: Dry with medium-plus to full body.  It’s round with a thicker mouthfeel.  Black fruit and plums on the palate with touches of floral, raspberries, and red cherries.  Medium pepperiness plus a hint of char.  Medium acidity and tannins.  Stronger acidity and lighter tannins after decanting, plus no pepperiness or floral flavours.
Finish: Medium-plus length finishing with a mix of black fruits and red cherries.  Some tartness.  Medium intensity tannins. No change to the finish after decanting.

A structured, elegant wine that can age.  I prefer the undecanted wine so you get stronger aromas, more tannins plus floral on the palate.

Rating: without decanting. An opaque wine with dull garnet colour.  Medium-minus aromas of toast and black plum with hints of blackberries and charcoal. Dry, fuller body with a round, thicker mouthfeel.  Black fruit and plums on the palate with touches of floral, raspberries, and red cherries. Medium acidity and tannins.  Medium-plus length.

Emiliana Novas Gran Reserva Carmenere Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Chile (BC $18.99)

From the winery, “Founded in 1986 by the local Guilisasti family, Emiliana Vineyards is a privately owned initiative dedicated to producing wines crafted from organic grapes…To further underline their commitment to organics, the Guilisasti family engaged the skills and experience of the celebrated winemaker Alvaro Espinoza in order to oversee the entire project…Emiliana was also certified Carbon Neutral for the first time in 2008…When ancient astronomers were lucky enough to observe the birth of a new star, they called it ‘Novas’. This line of wines was created as a tribute to Emiliana’s patient work of slowly observing the behaviour of nature…

<This wine was made by> fermentation in stainless steel tanks with both native and selected yeasts… The wine underwent a post-fermentation maceration for 4–5 days prior to malolactic fermentation, which took place spontaneously in stainless steel tanks, foudres, and barrels, where the wine then aged for 10 months. The wine was not clarified nor stabilized prior to bottling but was filtered through a cross-flow filter.”

Appearance: A deep, dull garnet colour.  About 90% opaque.  Tears on the sides of the glass with swirling. 
Nose: Medium-intensity, deep aromas of black fruit, plums, black cherries, and touches of sweet spices, oak, meatiness and cedar. There were no changes to the aromas after decanting.
Palate: This wine is dry, with a soft, smooth, round, light mouthfeel.  Not mouth-filling.  Soft black fruit flavours along with a touch of pepperiness toward the finish.  Also a hint of oak.  Medium acidity and light tannins. I picked up touches of floral and char after decanting.
Finish: Medium-plus length finishing with light tannins, and soft black fruit flavours.  A touch of pepperiness.  Acidity-driven to the finish. no changes to the finish after decanting.

Overall a wine with deep aromas, lots of soft dark fruit flavours and soft, smooth texture.  No need to decant.

Rating: This wine has a deep, dull garnet colour.  Medium-intensity, deep aromas, mainly of black fruit, plums, and black cherries. It is dry with a soft, smooth, round, light mouthfeel.  Soft black fruit flavours with touches of oak and pepperiness. Medium acidity and light tannins.  Medium-plus length.

Where Can I Buy These Wines?

The Barossa Valley Estate Grenache Syrah Mourvedre 2020 is available at BC Liquor stores and at Everything Wine stores.  The Emiliana Novas Gran Reserva Carmenere Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is available at BC Liquor stores.  The Bodega El Porvenir Amauta Corte Cabernet Franc Malbec 2022 is available at Liberty and Libations stores.