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Australia
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Australia
is the sixth largest country in the world in area (about 18%
smaller than the U.S.) and is the 7th largest wine producing
country in the world. It produced just under 8% of the
worlds wine production in 2001. There are over 1,100
wineries in Australia and wine is produced in many regions
that are widely spread across the southern half of the country.
Each of these regions has different climate and soils and
should be considered to be as distinctly different as Bordeaux
and Burgundy
in France
or California and Washington in the United States.
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| Australia
aggressively expanded its wine grape planting and production
in the late 1990's and early 2000's. Australia had approximately
366,000 acres under vine by the end of 2001. While white grapes
dominated (57%) of the acreage as late as the 1996-97 growing
season, the percentage of red grape varieties as a percentage
of recent plantings is overwhelming. |
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Australia
is one of the most innovative wine regions in the world.
There is a freedom from bureaucracy and regulation that is
unheard of in most older wine producing countries. Most
of the vineyards are in the cooler southern part of the country
and most particularly along the southeast coast. The
most successful grape variety is the Shiraz
(known as Syrah,
in many parts of the world). Shiraz accounts for over
37% of the red grape acreage. Depending on the growing
region and the winemaking style, Australian Shiraz can range
from light and fruity to big, bold and very long lived.
The other noble grape varieties of the world are also grown
(including Cabernet
Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay,
Semillon and
Riesling).
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While
winemaking started in Australia in the early 1800's the quality
of the wines was poor until stainless steel tanks and temperature
controlled fermentation came into use in the late 1950's.
When modern techniques were introduced, the quality of the
wines began to improve almost immediately.
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Like
many new world wine producers, Australian wineries generally
designate the grape variety of a wine on the label.
The laws require that wines with varietal labeling must contain
at least 85% of that variety. Australia has been the
primary producing country to market wines with the names of
two grape varieties on the label (i.e. - Sémillon/Chardonnay).
In two grape blends, the variety that represents the greatest
portion of the blend is named first.
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Australia
is in the southern hemisphere and it's growing season is the
reverse of the United States and the European countries.
Harvest begins in March and continues into April.
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Australia
ranks as the 12th largest wine consuming nation by volume
and the 21st largest by per capita. As of 2001, Australians
consumed 20.5 liters per capita. This continues a trend of
increased per capita consumption in Australia.
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Growing
Regions by Australian State
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| New
South Wales |
| Hunter
Valley |
This
is one of the warmest wine grape growing regions in Australia.
It is considered the original home of Australian wine production.
The lower end of the valley is known for it's Semillon and
Shiraz while the upper valley, which is drier, is better know
for its Chardonnay. In the dry areas, irrigation is
required and there is a tendency to over water to increase
production. The valley is a convenient destination for tourists
visiting from Sydney, just 30 miles away. The best of
the Semillons can be exceptional and require years of cellaring
to reach their potential
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| Mudgee
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This
is an inland growing area that grows Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
and Chardonnay. |
| Northern
Territory |
| Queensland |
| South
Australia |
| Adelaide
Hills |
This
area is becoming known for its Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.
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Barossa
Valley
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Because
of its proximity to Adelaide, this area is a popular destination
for tourists. This is a warmer inland region that is known
for its deeply colored and intensely flavored red wines produced
from Shiraz, Cabernet and Grenache. The Barossa Valley
has a long history of winemaking and is the source of more than
20% of Australia's wine production. The valley is 40 kilometers
in length and has rolling hills. |
| Clare
Valley |
This area is know
best for its white wines. The best Rieslings as well
as very steely Chardonnays come from the Clare Valley.
It has a great variety of climates.
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| Coonawarra
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This
is a cool coastal growing region known for it's intense Cabernet
Sauvignons. It is located between Melbourne and Adelaide.
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| Eden
Valley |
Steely
Chardonnays and ageable Rieslings |
| McLaren
Vale |
This
coastal area is best known for its well structured wines made
from Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. It also produces good
Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. |
| Padthaway
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Known
for its white wines such as rich flavored Chardonnays and Sauvignon
Blancs, this cooler climate region is located north of Coonawarra. |
| Riverland |
One
of the highest volume wine production areas in Australia. It
encompasses the lower reaches of the River Murray. Long hot
days, limited rainfall during the growing season. Much bulk
wine and some good quality bottled wine. Mostly Chardonnay,
Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon |
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| Victoria |
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Australia's
smallest state was the largest wine production state until
Phylloxera wiped out the vineyards in the 1870s. It
is now one of the smallest producers in volume but one of
the most diverse in terms of grape varieties. Microclimates
vary widely within the region.
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Goulburn
Valley
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This
area is known especially for its Marsanne and Shiraz.
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Yarra
Valley
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This
cool climate region close to Melbourne grows good Pinot Noir
and Chardonnay for both table and sparkling wines. |
| Tasmania |
| Coal
River Valley |
An
area that has developed quickly since the completion of the
coal river dam. This region is working primarily with Pinot
Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling although a wide variety of grapes
is being tested. |
| Derwent |
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| East
Coast |
The
combination of good tourist traffic and steadily improving quality
over the last decade have made these wines a bit hard to find. |
| Huon
Valley |
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| North
West |
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| Pipers
River |
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| West
Tamar |
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| Western
Australia |
| Great
Southern |
A
relatively young area for producing fine wines. It makes
primarily Cabernet and Shiraz and has good possibilities for
improved quality in the future. |
| Margaret
River |
Top
quality Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Semillon and Chardonnay
come from this region which opens on the Indian Ocean. This
area has also experimented with Zinfandel. |
