Your year in wine

• YOU LOVE RED

Australia’s favourite red, shiraz, continues to dominate preferences. Not only is it one of your top varieties, but you’re also interested in its various styles – from cooler climate examples to the sparkling numbers synonymous with the festive season. The grape also grabbed your attention among the varietal winners from the Halliday Wine Companion Awards.

• YOU CARE ABOUT RATINGS

You like to fill your Virtual Cellar with top-rated wines (mostly above 95 points), and lists that round up these bottles see you getting lost in their honours (for example, James Halliday’s recent Top 100). Seeing as you love red, it’s no surprise that the Top Red Wines Over $30 was popular, and you’re always keen to know the rare high-achievers that get 99 points.

• YOU TRAVEL FOR FINE WINE

Being a wine appreciator, you like to know where your favourite grapes grow. The Barossa Valley is the region you fancy most, followed by its South Australian neighbour McLaren Vale, and then Victoria’s Heathcote and Geelong (the latter of which made a bold comeback this year).

• YOU'RE INTERESTED IN ALCOHOL LEVELS

More notice was taken of the alcohol content of wine this year, with lower alcohol styles coming to the fore. A surprising number of you were also curious to know about the alcohol levels within red wines.

• YOU FOUND AFFORDABLE BOTTLES

You know that good wine doesn’t have to be expensive, and sought out wine across the spectrum of styles that was affordable and readily available.