Last week the Royal Agricultural Show Society of Queensland (RASQ), the oldest agricultural show group in Queensland announced its wine results.

This show focuses only on Mediterranean varieties, those medium textured reds and mild flavoured whites which suit a wide range cuisines which just happen to include most Asian tastes as well.

With climate change most of the varietals introduced to Australia by James Busby in the 1830s, and more recently were from cold climate regions of northern Europe-riesling, chenin, sauvignon, chardonnay, pinot, merlot and cabernet sauvignon.

This describes most of Australia’s current grape plantings now under macro-climates which are changing.

The major variety shown in the RASQ show is shiraz but there is a place for tempranillo, sangiovese, nero d’avola, verdelho, pinot gris and many minor temperate grape varieties.

Best Mediterranean red wine of the show was a McLaren Vale shiraz-Stevens Reserve 2006 (USD 21.50), a part of Australia which has an enormous cachet for winning major red wine trophies.

Shiraz was judged in three groups: 2008-2009, 2007, 2006 and older. Gold medals went to Jacob’s Creek Padthaway Shiraz 2005 (USD 15), Richmond Grove Limited Release Barossa Shiraz 2006 (USD 17.50) and Orlando Lawsons Shiraz 2003 (USD 44.50).

Two more modern golds went to Terra Felix and Johnny Q Shiraz Viogniers 2008 (USD 14 and 10.50 respectively).

Best Mediterranean White was from the Strathbogie Ranges producer Baddaginnie Run Viognier 2009 (USD 17.50) made at the Fowles-Plunkett winery.

Best Queensland Mediterranean was made by a Spanish-influenced winemaker with Alto, a monastrell, garnacha, shyra, tempranillo, cabernet and tannat blend which has received recent wide acclaim (USD 26).

One new wine to watch was the silver medal awarded to Preston Peak Sagrantino, a textural red grown on the Granite Belt resembling barbera in flavour.

More results www.rasq.com.au