To the more prejudiced snobs of the old world of wine, Australia is still a junior in the industry and couldn’t possibly compare to the likes of France, Spain, and Italy when it comes to the true prowess of the grape. But these are invariably people who don’t buy Australian wine online and in stores, and therefore have no real clue about just what they’re missing.
In order to help educate the uninitiated, we’ve provided a quick guide to Australian wine in the hopes that they’ll quickly understand just how tremendous the Australian wine sector really is:
What Kind of Wines are Produced in Australia
You can expect to find red, white and rose wines, not to mention sparkling wines, too. Among these broader types, one can easily find tremendous variety, including light-bodied, zesty and crisp tastes, full-bodied and rich wines. As we’ll explain in the next section, the wide variety of vineyard growing locations is part of what gives rise to such variety and complexity in the Australian wine range.
When it comes to grape types, you’ll find that Australian growers have enjoyed tremendous success in implementing a number of grapes:
- Cabernet sauvignon
- Grenache
- Mourvedre
- Pinot noir
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon blanc
- Semillon
- …and many more, including Mediterranean varieties
Where is Australian Wine Produced?
While most of Australia’s wine production is focused on the south and southeast of the country, you’ll also find fantastic vineyards in southern parts of Western Australia. We’ve listed some prime examples of wine-producing regions in each mentioned state below, but you should note that in total there are more than 60 officially designated wine regions and more than 2000 producers.
- Western Australia – Peel, Blackwood Valley, Pemberton, Great Southern, Perth Hills, and more
- South Australia – Clare Valley, Eden Valley, Kangaroo Island, Langhorne Creek, and more
- Tasmania – The eastern part of the island, and especially the Tamar Valley, has become well known for its sparkling wine production in particular, as well as pinot noir and chardonnay
- Victoria – Gippsland, Henty, Geelong, Mornington Peninsula, Alpine Valleys, Grampians, Bendigo, and more
- New South Wales and ACT – Reverina, Murray darling, Gundagai, Canberra, Hunter Valley, and more
- Queensland – South Burnett, Granite Belt, and more
These locations tend not to be generalists when it comes to their wine production. Many of them cultivate specific grape types to fit the climate, as well as the market supply and demand.
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For example, if you’re looking for a particularly sublime cabernet sauvignon, then you might head to South Australia and explore the cigar-shaped strip of special terra rossa soil known as Coonawarra. If you’re looking for a stronger and more full-on shiraz, however, you might go to the Swan Valley in Western Australia. Each region offers up its own special gems.
In terms of quantity, South Australia outstrips other states in terms of total production, even without the largest growing areas. But of course, not everyone is interested in quantity, and for those interested in wines of notable quality, every region has something on offer. Having said that, Tasmania and its growing region in the Tamar Valley in recent years has become known for its pinot noir and chardonnay varieties that grow well in the cooler climate down there.
Which Are the Top-Selling Wines from Australia?
The top-selling brands are invariably those that produce in higher volume, such as The Artisan Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon from the Barossa Valley in South Australia, as well as Twisted Sticks, KARASEK, Overland the Edge Shiraz, Margaret River Cabernet Merlot and others. When it comes to grape varieties, shiraz is the top choice of consumers.
The biggest and best-known producers include names like Rockford, Penfolds, Mount Mary and Moss Wood, among others.
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