Clare Valley
Australia's Riesling capital, dry as a bone and built to age.
Clare Valley: the home of Riesling
While the world argues about whether Riesling is sweet, the Clare Valley quietly makes some of the driest, most precise Riesling on earth. High and cool north of Adelaide, it produces limey, racy whites that age brilliantly for a decade or more, alongside firm, savoury Shiraz. It is the answer to anyone who thinks they do not like Riesling.
The wines
Clare Riesling is bone dry, intensely citrussy and minerally, famous for ageing into a toasty, honeyed complexity. The Shiraz is structured and peppery, and the neighbouring sub-region of Watervale is a Riesling name to know.
Where to go
The town of Clare anchors a narrow valley of cellar doors, many small and family-run. The Riesling Trail, a former railway line turned cycling and walking path, links vineyards through the heart of the region.
Eat
Country pubs and farm produce define the local table. Dry Riesling with fresh seafood or Asian food is the natural pairing the region is built for.
Getting there
Fly into Adelaide, then drive about two hours north. A car is essential, though cycling the Riesling Trail between cellars is a regional highlight.
Know the wine before you go.
The app teaches you Riesling in five minutes, then helps you order it with confidence. Learn the grape, then come back and plan the trip.
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Clare Valley, quick answers.
What wine is the Clare Valley known for?
Bone-dry, ageworthy Riesling above all, along with firm, savoury Shiraz.
Is Clare Valley Riesling sweet?
No, it is famously dry. Clare and Eden Valley set the Australian benchmark for dry, citrussy Riesling that ages superbly.
What is the Riesling Trail?
A walking and cycling path along a former railway line that connects many of the valley's cellar doors, a popular way to tour the region.
