About Yellow Tail
Yellow Tail is one of the biggest brand success stories in the wine world! From its launch into the US in 2001, in just over 10 years, it is now a 12 million case brand, and the biggest wine export from Australia, accounting for over one fifth of all bottled Australian wines, and distributed to over 50 countries worldwide.
The story of the most successfully exported wine brand from Australia, goes back to 1957, when the Casella family emigrated from Sicily. They bought land, planted vineyards and produced their first vintage in 1971, but it was not until 2001 that they hit the big time. They linked up with a US importer and introduced the brand, expecting to sell 25,000cs. First year sales were 1 million cases, and 5 million within 3 years.
Focusing totally on their Australian heritage, they produced what is known as a ‘critter brand’ – a wine label with a picture of an animal, in this case, a kangaroo! The US loved the simplicity of the message and the fruitiness of the wine, and the rest is history. Yellow Tail is now one of the most top selling and recognised Australian brand on supermarket shelves.
There’s a range of varietal wines, all designed for fun, relaxed drinking and enjoyment..
Yellow Tail have also released ‘reserve wines’, and have recently introduced bubbles into the range as well.
Styles of Yellow Tail Wine
Yellow Tail is all about fruit, flavour and fun. The brand is clearly focussed on the flavours, rather than the provenance of the wine, and wants to fit into wine drinkers’ lifestyles!
The main Yellow Tail Range comprises no fewer than 15 different wines and styles. The Reserve range is one step up in terms of richness of flavour and complexity, and the recent launch of a fizzy range, just adds to the variety of style.
The main Yellow Tail range covers all the usual culprits and a few new ones! We’re all used to Aussie Chardonnay, Semillon, and Sauvignon. But there’s a whole host more – in the whites, a peachy, delicate Pinot Grigio, zesty Semillon/Sauvignon blend, plus an aptly named ‘tree free Chardonnay’ (totally unoaked), a spicy, vibrant Riesling and a deliciously sweet Moscato. A fruity Rose is a mid step towards a host of red wine styles, from a soft, aromatic Pinot Noir, through to chunky Shiraz and an adventure into a big, bold red from the Argentine grape variety Malbec.
Move to the Reserve range, and there is a step up in the intensity of flavour and richness. Concentrating on some well known grape varieties, it’s a richer, fuller style of wine with fruity Pinot Grigio, creamily smooth Chardonnay, fruity Merlot, spicy Shiraz and blackcurrant-scented Cabernet Sauvignon.
Yellow Tail’s latest venture is the launch of 2 sparkling wines, both called ‘Bubbles’, one a dry white, the other a dry Rose. Fruity, juicy, these are both great party and celebratory wines.