Of all the countries in the New World producing wine, Australia took to the grape most readily and has developed her industry most consistently. Australia's wine industry enjoys a reputation well out of proportion to the quantity of wine production - it is the 11th largest producer in the world.The wine industry dates back to 1824 when a Scottish gentleman by the name of James Busby came to Australia cherishing great faith in the future of Australian Vines. He was granted 2000 acres of land. He then produced a manual to spread the practical knowledge he had gained by experience. However, his greatest contribution was made after a trip to Europe when he brought back 678 varieties of vines of which, 362 were successfully grown in the Botanical Gardens of Sydney. It was those vines which were to propagate the vineyards of Australia.
The heavy alcoholic wines of the past have now been replaced with more fruit driven lighter styles of wine. They are wonderfully approachable, full of soft fruit and full of flavour.
Traditionally Australian wines were blended across a wide variety of grape sources, something which is quite alien to quality European wines. But then, some would argue that this is typical of the true style of Australian wine.
While Regional wines offer great variety for the consumer, they are something very new to Australia. Increasingly however, you will find wines being labelled after a region, e.g. Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon.
Classification
Appellation Control is unknown in Australia, although the label integrity program (LIP) guarantees all the claims which are stated on the label of the bottle. Efforts are being made to protect certain regions by Law.
Regions
Most of Australia's wine regions are situated in the South Australia, New South Wales, the South East and in Western Australia.Barossa Valley
Once a predominantly German settlement making outstanding red and white wine. Excellent Rieslings are being produced here alongside superb Shiraz wines. The Barossa Valley is fast gaining a reputation as the best place to grow Shiraz.
Barossa Valley
Yarra Valley
The wines at their best in this area are the Pinot Noir's the grape which produces red burgundy.
The Clare Valley
This area has a cooler climate and hence they produce delicious crisp white wines. Chardonnay & Pinot Noir have adapted extremely well to this climate.
Australia's greatest wine is Grange produced in South Australia.
New South Wales
The 2nd largest producer in Australia is often regarded as the nucleus of the Industry. The most important area is the Hunter Valley which now contains 5000 hectares of vineyards. Two big wine companies once dominate the Hunter Valley, Lindemans and McWilliams. The home also of the Rosemount Estate who has developed a style of super rich chardonnay .
Victoria
Once the largest wine producing area originally established by the Swiss Immigrants. It was the only area to suffer from the dreaded Phylloxera disease - the weevil which destroys the root of the vines before you actually realise it has happened. Today Victoria is once again gaining ground and producing excellent red and white wines.
Western Australia
Regions like the Margaret River not far from the city of Perth have a much cooler climate and offer totally different styles of wine to those produced in other regions of Australia. There are many young dedicated wine maker striving to produce classy wines subtle and elegant and capable of ageing and developing.
