"" Wines of Australia "" a Geelong Travel Page by Sweetberry1

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Food, wine, accommodation, history, footy, boating, sun, surf and clean air.....Geelong has it all


VISIT Geelong:

Geelong is the second largest city in Victoria and its position overlooking the waters of Corio Bay makes it one of the State’s most picturesque places to visit.
Geelong and its region also host the largest number of classified buildings in Australia, with many fine houses, farm houses and estates dating back to the days of the squatocracy and the times when wool and wheat were king.
In recent years the city has greatly improved its waterfront area, with new facilities, art sculptures, 106 painted totem pole “people” along the foreshore, restored buildings, new restaurants and promenades.

Less than an hour southwest from Melbourne or Ballarat, the region makes an ideal day trip or base from which to explore the wine, food and sights of the Bellarine Peninsula.
Queenscliff, Torquay, Aries Inlet, Lorne, the Surf Coast and the Great Ocean road are all within easy driving reach.
Accommodation is available at Geelong’s excellent and well-appointed Hotels and Motels, or at charming B&B’s tucked away in country locations. No matter where you stay, the Geelong region’s wineries are only a short drive away.
A short drive from the city of Geelong, passing through wine growing areas, is the historic seaside town of Queenscliff. Here you can stay in the splendor of restored hotels or wander along the unchanged streetscapes dating for the Gold rush days.
Several wineries offer cellar door sales, lunch, picnics etc. Follow the map for our recommendations or type in hotels or winery etc to the SEARCH facility above for more details.

With a great range of accommodation, excellent restaurants and a choice of gourmet lunch stops, the Geelong region is an ideal destination for a new adventure in wine and food……..

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Geelong wine history. From 1842 to 2001

The Geelong wine region:
The coastal wine-growing cool-climate region of Geelong, extends from sea level to over 400 metres above sea level at Mt Anakie. A vast open volcanic plain with low hills surrounded by bay and sea. Soils types vary from sandy loam through basalt plains and river loam through to rich volcanic soil. The combination of soils, elevation and climate means that the region can produce a diverse range of wine styles. Signature wines of the area are said to be Shiraz and Pinot Noir, however some great whites are also brewed here. New variety plantings will ensure that the region will also continue to surprise and please into the future.

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Then:
The Geelong region’s wine history began over 150 years ago.
The first vines were planted in the Geelong region in 1842. The industry thrived, thanks largely to the patronage of Governor Latrobe and his Swiss wife Sophie de Montmollin. She encouraged families from her Swiss canton of Neuchatel to emigrate to Victoria. The Swiss vinedressers brought with them the vast knowledge of grape growing and winemaking which facilitated the rapid increase in the planting of vineyards within the Geelong region.
Other nationalities were also represented, including English, French and Scots. There was also a sizeable German community around Marshall (then known as Germantown) who grew extensive market gardens and some vines.
However it was the Swiss who developed the Geelong wine growing district until by the late 1870’s it was the largest wine region in Victoria, with 116 vineyards. However circumstances had changed and the Geelong wine industry was already in decline.
In 1877 the root aphid Phylloxera Vastatrix was detected in Geelong. To prevent its spread, infested vineyards were uprooted by Government order and the owners prevented from replanting for 15 years, by which time the expertise of the early settlers was lost.
Some vineyards continued, but the combination of the 1890’s depression, the flood of wine from South Australia and New South Wales after Federation in 1901 and the reduced interest in wine growing by descendants of the early vignerons, effectively ended the region’s production. Two small vineyards, Deppelers and Pillouds were replanted in about 1905 and produced wine until 1936.

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Now:
Today, the scattered boutique wineries of the region offer a diverse range of subtle and elegant wines, from Gewurtz-traminer and Pinot Gris, to stylish and often sought after Shiraz.
The modern Period began in 1966 when Daryl and Nini Sefton bought Idyll. They commenced vineyard cultivation in 1966 and made their first planting in 1967. Tom Maltby ( of…..fame ) followed with plantings at Mt Anakie in 1968.

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These little critters sure look like they have had a fun day... I wonder which Wine Tour they went on? Or should I say, How many??? LOL...

The first rule is... that there are no rules!

Perhaps we could say that a little differently. The first rule of choice is to please your palate. Don’t let rigid ideas about what you can and can’t do, stop you from enjoying what you like in wines.

However, that said, there are two general guidelines which can help you increase your enjoyment of your favourite wines and the food you pair with them.

Serve red wines with red meat.
The tannins in red wine (tannins are responsible for that astringent taste in your mouth when you drink young red wine or strong black tea.), react with the protein in the meat, letting the softer, often fruitier characteristics of the wine show through.

Serve white wines with mild, white –fleshed meat, fish and shellfish.
The milder more delicate flavours of white wine complement, rather than overwhelm mildly-flavoured meats and fish.

Some foods go equally well with white or red wines.

 Lightly-sauced pasta goes well with Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, or even a Pinot Noir.
 Grilled chicken goes well with a dry white wine, such as Chardonnay or even a medium-bodied red like Shiraz.
 Salmon or Pork goes well with Chardonnay or Pinot Noir.

Classic food and wine pairings include…..

 Light and spicy Asian food with Pinot Gris.
 Beef stew or roasts with Pinot Noir.
 Lamb with Cabernet & Merlot.
 Smoked Salmon with Champagne. (Sparkling wine).
 Roast turkey with Chardonnay or Pinot Noir.
 Steak with Merlot.

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"Wine Tour Map"

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Here are some links for "Wine Tasting Tours..

Kalinda Tours.
Personalised tours to the Geelong Region's wineries. Small groups welcome. Groups catered for. Half and Full day tours available.
kalinda@ozemail.com.au

Link Tours
Winery tours arranged to Geelong Region.
info@linktours.com.au

Gallivantours
Enjoy a carefree day visiting local wineries. Pickups within 15km of Geelong post Office. Full and half day tours. Group or individual bookings.

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This past year, I have been seduced by the "Merlot" ...

Although I must say that a nice "Beer" can just as easily seduce me... LOL...
"Budweisser" or "Herkules" anyone??? :-))