THIS column discussed a few week ago Australian "alternative varieties" - basically wines that are not mainstream or extensively planted down under.

One variety currently classed as alternative in Oz is Tempranillo, but it seems it is now on the verge of becoming officially mainstream - and we've come across one particular tipple that shows why it's growing in popularity.

According to Wine Australia, Tempranillo is gaining considerable traction there, with exports growing by some 28 per cent in the 12 months to the end of March this year. The top three markets for this produce are China, the UK and New Zealand, with exports to the UK growing by 33 per cent.

Furthermore, it has been the leading variety in all the last four Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Shows, and, at the most recent such event in London, it was the joint-favourite among tasters when asked which grape impressed the most - with 13 per cent of the vote along with Nebbiolo (the royal Italian red) and Assyrtiko (a rare, new white variety to Oz which is indigenous to the Greek island of Santorini).

The cracking bottle we came across is called La La Land 2015 Tempranillo, and is available from Majestic for £9.99 (or £7.99 in the Mix Six promotion).

The name, it is fair to assume, has nothing to do with last year's hit movie given that the La La Land Winery, in the Murray Darling area of Victoria, was established three years earlier. However, the label is a bit bizarre and, like the film, seems to refer simultaneously to music and the idiom for being out of touch with reality. (Which may happen if you have too much of this - or any - 13.5 per cent tipple.)

The drink itself is full of juicy cherries, dark berries with just a lovely little bit of liquorice and mocha. Unlike some harsh or heavy, over-liquoricey Tempranillo wines, this one is smooth and soft yet retains some of the complexity associated with this famous Spanish variety.

Another Australian alternative variety, meanwhile, and one which isn't likely to become mainstream any time soon, is the Durif, or Petite Sirah as it is known elsewhere.

This grape, known for making tannic, spicy, plummy wines, originated from the cross pollination of the Syrah (Shiraz) and Pelousin varieties in France in the 1860s and, while it remains little known, it can seemingly thrive in warm Aussie regions so may yet become more popular as growers get to grips with it.

A good example at a good price online (RRP £10.50) is the De Bortoli Winery's Deen Vat Series Durif from South Eastern Australia, a multi-silver medal winner in shows down under.

Coming in at 13.5 per cent - a little less alcoholic than others of its Aussie ilk - it has rich dark fruit characters combined with generous but far-from-overpowering tannins, a teeny note of aniseed and slightly chocolaty oakiness. It goes down quickly for a tannic wine and would be great with various red meat dishes.