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A Guide to Australian Wines
The days of Australia only being associated with one drink, beer, have long gone. These days the country is one of the biggest wine producers in the world. It has a thriving export market and more than 500 million litres every year is destined for domestic dining tables.
Hamiltons Removals has been organising international removals to Australia for many years. For those thinking of a move Down Under, here is our guide to a few of the major varieties of wine, where the particular types of grape are grown, and the type of food they go with best.
Chardonnay
Although grapes are grown across Australia, the southern states are most suitable for wine production because of the cool climate. Chardonnay is no exception, with the Yarra Valley near Melbourne, and the Hunter Valley near Sydney, particularly famous for vineyards producing this white wine which is usually noted for its fruity flavour. If you are having a barbecue, then it is the ideal accompaniment to grilled fish and vegetables. Sparkling varieties of Chardonnay are produced in the Adelaide Hills and Geelong regions.
Shiraz
This full-bodied red wine is produced from the Syrah grape, which was brought over from Europe in the 1830s. Now it is the most widely planted red grape variety in the whole country, and across the world only France is a bigger producer. Cooler regions like Western Australia’s Margaret River produce Shiraz with less alcohol content, making it a good partner for lamb dishes. Hunter Valley Shiraz goes well with specialist meats like venison or kangaroo. Sparkling varieties are suited to barbecued meat such as ribs and sausages, but the more traditional varieties are good partners for stews and casseroles.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Australia’s second most widely planted red grape variety, larger producers often blend it with Shiraz or use grapes from different states. This means there is a wide variety on the market. The Coonawarra region in South Australia, and the Clare Valley, about 60 miles north of Adelaide, both produce Cabernet Sauvignon with a fruity flavour, while the nearby Barossa Valley specialises in a more full-bodied bottle. It is often served with lamb dishes.
Riesling
The Clare Valley and the Canberra district are both important areas of production for this white wine which was also brought to Australia in the 1830s. Until the 1990s, when it was overtaken by Chardonnay, it was the most widely planted white grape variety in the country. Noted for its citrus flavours, it also goes well with barbecued fish and is also an ideal partner for Asian food and chicken.
Don’t Forget the Beer!
Beer was overtaken by wine in the 1970s as the country’s most popular alcoholic drink. However, no barbecue should be without it as it remains an iconic Australian beverage, and the country is still among the top 20 biggest consumers in the world.
The average Australian drinks around 75 litres of beer per year. The commonest form is lager, with the world-famous Foster’s brewery dating back to the 1880s. However, these days the market is changing, with the younger generation increasingly preferring locally-produced craft beers which have a more distinctive taste.
Hamiltons Removals has years of expertise in international removals to Australia. We arrange moves across the country to cities including Canberra, Adelaide, Sydney and Perth. We also organise commercial or domestic moves to Europe and a wide range of worldwide destinations. Click above for a free online quote and to find out more about our services.
FAQs
Q: Is it actually cheaper to buy Australian wine in Australia?
A: Not always! Due to various taxes, a bottle of Australian wine can sometimes be cheaper in a UK supermarket than in a Sydney liquor store. However, the variety and quality available at the $20–$30 AUD mark in Australia far exceed what is exported.
Q: What are the rules for buying wine in supermarkets?
A: Unlike the UK, you generally cannot buy wine on the same shelf as your bread and milk. In most states you must go to a separate “Bottle Shop” which is often attached to the supermarket but has its own entrance. Look for names like Dan Murphy’s, BWS, or Liquorland.
Q: What are the age restrictions on buying wine in Australia?
A: The legal age to purchase or consume alcohol in a licensed venue (like a bar, restaurant, or bottle shop) is 18 years old across all states and territories in Australia. Whether you’re moving from the UK or elsewhere, the laws might feel familiar, but the penalties and “ID culture” are often much more rigorous.
*all information correct at the time of writing
Popular Cities in Canada for Expats
Canada is one of the most popular places for expats to move to, particularly from the UK; it is estimated that more than 650,000 Brits have chosen to move there, attracted by the healthy lifestyle and the stunning scenery.
Hamiltons Removals have years of experience in organising commercial and domestic removals to a wide range of worldwide destinations. If you are considering moving home to Canada, here is our guide to the most popular cities.
Toronto
This city in Ontario has the largest population in the whole country, standing at more than 2.7million in 2016 to more than 3.27million in 2024. Actors Keanu Reeves, Kiefer Sutherland and Jim Carrey all grew up here. The city’s most visible landmark is the CN Tower, a communications and observation tower which is 553 metres tall, making it one of the world’s tallest free-standing structures.
Ottawa
This city, in southern Ontario, is Canada’s capital. It scores well in international quality of living surveys, mainly due to its large number of educational and research establishments; the people here are thought to be the most well-educated in Canada. A thriving economy, fuelled by flourishing IT and public service sectors, mean the city also has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. Famous people from Ottawa include comic and actor Dan Aykroyd and singer Alanis Morrissette. It is famous for the historic buildings on Parliament Hill, which are the seat of Canada’s government.
Vancouver
This city in British Columbia, to the west of the country, has Canada’s largest British expat community, although it is an ethnically very diverse city. More than half of the population do not count English as their mother tongue. It again scores well in international quality of life surveys, with more than 80 parks and green spaces within the city’s borders, and the Pacific Rim National Park and the spectacular North Shore mountains are both close by. Actor Ryan Reynolds and Carrie-Anne Moss, and singer-songwriter Michael Bublé, were all either born or grew up here.
Edmonton
This city in Alberta has a population fast approaching the one million mark and is a popular city to move to for British expats in particular. The oil and gas industries helped to build up the economy, while in recent years its growth has been down to the high-tech and research sectors. Until 2004, the West Edmonton Mall was the biggest shopping centre in the whole world; with more than 800 stores, and over 32 million visitors a year, it is still the largest in the whole of North America. Actor Michael J. Fox was born in Edmonton, while Bank of England governor Mark Carney grew up in the city.
Hamilton
This port city on the banks of Lake Ontario is popular not just with British expats but also people from many other European countries. The economy is largely based on agriculture and manufacturing. Pop singer Nicole Appleton, of All Saints Fame, and actor Martin Short were both born in the city. Hamilton’s most notable landmark is the Niagara Escarpment, a ridge which divides the city and is marked by a series of conservation areas and waterfalls.
Hamiltons Removals can help you if you are moving home to Canada. We frequently arrange moves to all these popular cities and other destinations across the country, including Winnipeg, Montreal and Quebec. We can also organise removals to the USA, Australia and New Zealand, as well as many international destinations.
FAQs
Q: Is Canadian healthcare free for expats?
A: Public healthcare is free for Permanent Residents, but it doesn’t cover everything. Most expats still pay for private insurance to cover your teeth, your eyes, and any prescriptions. Also, be aware that some provinces have a three-month waiting period before your public coverage kicks in, so short-term private insurance is essential for your move.
Q: What about driving in Canada?
A: Canada drives on the right. While you can drive on your UK licence for the first 60–90 days (depending on the province), you will probably need to take a local theory and road test to get a Canadian licence, as there is no direct “swap” agreement like there is with some other countries.
Q: How long will it take to ship my items to Canada?
A: It depends if you opt for a dedicated service or a groupage (shared container) one. A groupage service can take between 10 and 14 weeks (usually at least a couple of weeks longer than our dedicated service).
Another factor is which coastal port you will be using. East coast destinations (Toronto/Montreal) take between five and seven weeks; for the west coast (Vancouver) it can be between seven and 10 weeks.
Air freight (for smaller items) is quicker, but more expensive.
*all information correct at the time of writing