AUSTRALIA

Australia has emerged as the major challenger to France in the UK on-trade and the nation's wine producers have a big presence at the fair.

The chief winemaker at Penfolds, Peter Gago, will be hosting seminars twice a day during the fair to showcase the producer's Luxury and Icon portfolio.

The range comprises Penfolds' top-end wines, including Grange 2003, Yattara Chardonnay 2004 and RWT Barossa Valley Shiraz 2004.

Gago says: "These wines are the ultimate expression of Penfolds' time-honoured tradition of sourcing the best fruit from the best regions, and excellence in single region and multi-region blending."

To book a spot on one of the seminars call Cathy Warren on 0207 371 6466. The Penfolds range is on the FGL Wine Estates stand (D40).

One of the biggest wine launches in the Australian domestic market in recent years is Yellow Tail, which will be exhibiting through a new UK agent Off Piste Wines (G60).

Off Piste will be showing the whole Yellow Tail range of Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio.

The family-owned De Bortoli wine estate will be launching Pink Moscato, Trebbiano/Pinot Grigio and Shiraz/Dolcetto at the fair on stand E20.

HwCg (S30) is launching a new Australian brand called S&P comprised of a Semillon/Chardonnay blend and a Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon, and produced at the Neqtar winery in Victoria.

Australian wines with an Italian influence will be a feature at Seckford Agencies (I19). Winemaker Ian Hollick, of Hollick Wines in Coonawarra, will be at the fair to launch Hollaia, described by Seckford as "an Australian version of a super Tuscan". The 2004 vintage is a blend of 65% Sangiovese and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon.

On the same stand, Murray River producer Trentham Estate will be introducing its La Famiglia Sangiovese Rosé from the 2007 vintage, plus Yea Valley Pinot Noir from 2002.

Negociants UK (G30) says on-trade customers should look out for a new Oxford Landing Cabernet Rosé, the latest vintage of Mesh Eden Valley Riesling, and the Heggies Vineyard Eden Valley Chardonnay, which is made in a Burgundian style with French oak.

Vinoceros (F10) will be showing the full range of its new Runamok Australian brand, comprising Chardonnay, Merlot, Shiraz and the Fireship red blend.

It will also have new wines from the Red Hill Estate in Victoria, including the entry-level Penguin's Kiss.

A range extension for the Tempus Two brand will be unveiled by McGuigan (F8). Tempus Two Copper is a premium range, which includes wild yeast-fermented Chardonnay and Cabernet/Merlot, plus Melange a Trois, a blend of Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier from New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

Also on the tri-varietal theme, there will be a chance to taste the new Three Vines range from Jacob's Creek and meet winemaker Phil Laffer on the Pernod Ricard UK stand (D50).

The same stand will also offer samples of new Black Cluster Hunter Valley Shiraz, a top-end wine from the Wyndham Estate.