Hunter Valley

Hunter Sémillon is a useful lesson in separating climate from wine weight. The region is warm and humid, yet early picking can deliver a light, low-alcohol white that starts with restrained citrus and develops considerable complexity over time. Shiraz is the principal red, with Chardonnay and Verdelho also established.

The Hunter Valley zone contains the Hunter region and several smaller origins. Sandy alluvial flats are particularly associated with Sémillon, while red loams suit Shiraz. Young Sémillon can seem much leaner than its later bottle-aged form, so vintage and producer intent matter as much as the grape name when choosing a bottle.