Every year thousands of tourists visit Australia to discover the island-continent and enjoy the Australian way of life. And this also includes trying the typical foods and australian drinks.
And it is that in the country of kangaroos there is a huge variety of distilled spirits, as well as important brands of famous beers around the world. In addition to all this, Southwest Australia is also a land of wines, thanks to the friendly Mediterranean climate that allows the cultivation of vineyards.
Australian wines
Until recently these wines were considered exotic or little known. Today wine lovers know that Australia produces excellent wines which are exported all over the world. It must be said that there are no indigenous grapes in Australia. These were brought by the English during the XNUMXth century, when viticulture began in the country.
As a curiosity, it should be noted that unlike other Anglo-Saxon countries, Australia consumes more wine than beer.
The big ones wine regions of the country are located in the states of New South Wales y Victoria, especially the Yarra Valley. Good wine is also produced in the tasmania island as well as in the Adelaide region in South Australia, where the Barosa, Claire and Coonawara valleys.
Australian wines, increasingly appreciated around the world
According to experts, the best wines in the country are Riesling-type whites, especially those from the area of murrumbidgee, near Sydney. Reds made from the shyraz variety are also highly appreciated. It should be said that the main world importer of Australian wines is China.
It is worth dedicating a few lines to one of the most popular Australian drinks: the Goon, also known as "cheap wine." This peculiar wine is sold in cartons or even in bags. It is easy to find it in any supermarket in the country. It is considered a table wine to be drunk fresh and can be mixed with fruit juices and other beverages. Apparently, you have to be Australian to like it.
Australian drinks: spirits and others
If you fancy something stronger, you will also find Australian distilled drinks of recognized prestige. To cite the best and most popular, we will mention the Archie Rose gin, the most famous in the country, well known for its softness and its characteristic pink color, although there are other varieties. Another widely consumed gin is Lilly pilly, manufactured in the Queensland region.
A lot of vodka is also consumed and produced in Australia. The brand hippocampus is proud to distill this liquor from organic wheat, but the best known throughout the country is undoubtedly 666 vodka, made with the crystal clear waters of Cape Grim. The brand produces varieties as curious as those with a coffee flavor or a butter flavor.
Archie Rose plus tonic: the perfect Australian gin and tonic
If we talk about Australian drinks, we must also refer to Rum bundaberg, known colloquially as "Bundy." The rum factory is located in the city of the same name, in Queensland. There are also (it must be said) numerous non-alcoholic refreshing drinks.
A further rarity of the eclectic Australian alcoholic beverage offering is the Tamborine Mountain Brandy, which leaves a curious apricot flavor on the palate.
Australian beer
Even non-regular beer drinkers know that the quintessential Australian brand is Foster's Lager. However, its fame is greater outside Australia than within the country itself.
If we ask Australian drinkers directly, it is very likely that they will tell us that the best beer in their country is the Tooheys, especially in New South Wales. However, tastes and opinions are different in each of the different regions and states of the country.
In Australia there are numerous varieties and brands of beer
For example: Victoria bitter (known as VB) is Victoria's beer and currently the most consumed in the whole country. A beer with a strange name XXXX, is the preferred in Queensland. Despite the name, it is quite smooth and has been made in Brisbane for over a century. On the other hand, Cascade is the favorite brand of pubs on the island of Tasmania.
We leave until the end ginger beer. Impossible to travel to Australia without trying a pint. It is made by grinding dried ginger, which is grown locally in many parts of the country. Afterwards, this ginger is mixed with sugar cane and water. Everything is subjected to high temperatures until the ginger spice is released, which is then fermented with a special type of yeast. Once fermented, the beer passes through artisanal filters, leaving only traces of tiny ginger particles.