Rutherglen - Victoria

Rutherglen is a small town in north-eastern Victoria, Australia, near the Murray River border with New South Wales. The town was named after the Scottish town of Rutherglen which lies just outside Glasgow. At the 2001 census, Rutherglen had a population of 1,839.[1] Argyll Street (the main street) contains the National Trust of Australia heritage listed Victoria Hotel, which was established in 1866 and built on the present location in 1868 by Charles Schwengel. The hotel is a two storey brick structure providing meals and accommodation, with a street facade containing a two storey cast iron verandah and an elaborate parapet. It is described in the heritage citation as "typical of nineteenth century hotels and all of the principal elements of this design remain intact," and that "the present structure is an essential element of this notable historic country town." The surrounding region is well known for its vineyards, particularly so for the production of fortified wines such as muscat and tokay, the best of which are highly regarded by wine critics (Halliday, Parker). The muscat and tokay styles are sometimes described as having no worldwide equal. The region also produces a good port style of fortified wine. The region also produces good-quality red and white wines, notably shiraz and Durif, as well as the relatively uncommon production of sparkling red wine—red wine with carbon-dioxide induced bubbles made in a similar process to champagne.