Australia as a family vacation has been a long time in coming. We’ve talked about it for years, always hanging out there in the distance as a bulleted entry on a bucket list. But with a few thousand frequent flyer miles, we managed to make the long slog Down Under this summer.
What struck me most was how Australia seems to be as much of an amalgamation of its influences as the U.S. is. Colonized generally within the same time frame, many of the buildings in Sydney’s center had that Victorian era-Industrial Revolution brick look. The attitude seemed more low-key, more American. But yet, there was a definite European feel—open air farmer’s markets, fresh flower kiosks, butchers, fishmongers, cheese boutiques and wine shops. Then, there was an undoubtedly Asian flair. Sydney, like so many major metropolitan areas, is home to a phenomenal Chinatown and Thai town. The best meals you’ll probably have will be Asian or Asian-fusion. And because it’s a port city, there’s a big emphasis on fresh seafood.
Sipping shiraz or soft whites made from a mix of chardonnay and Semillon made for a lovely glass of wine. From the Hunter and Yarra valleys within a few hours’ drive of Sydney, the wines of Australia may be New World. But like the wines from Old World countries, they exhibit distinct terroir. While many reds broke onto the world stage as fruit bombs, Australia has learned to temper their flavor and balance it out a little more. No longer a jammy assault on the senses, there was nuance instead. Reds had backbone and just a little astringency. Whites were surprisingly round, full, and supple without being overpowering. It's a shame that too many wine shops here in the States sell Australia’s fruit bombs rather than offer some of the better wines you can find there.
While a 20-hour flight time is daunting, I would love to go back. What will it be this time—Melbourne? Adelaide? Brisbane? Only time will tell….
