Australian wines

Australian wines

Australia is an important player in the global wine market. Thanks to its different terroirs and microclimates, Australian wine is fascinatingly diverse: from bright, intense, expressive and weighty wines, to elegant and subtle, and from every day to super-premium wines at different price points. There are warm-climate Shiraz and Grenache grapes, cool-climate Riesling and Pinot Noir grapes, and the classic Semillon, which is taking on a distinctive Australian face.  

Australia is one of the top ten wine-producing countries every year and more than half of its wine is exported.   

Australia's main wine-growing regions and grapes 

Most Australian wine comes from South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria, but grapes are also grown in Western Australia and Tasmania.

The most famous regions in South Australia are Barossa, Coonawarra and McLaren Vale. The climate is warmer here and the 'Shiraz' grape, which has become almost synonymous with Australian wine, is a perfect match. In the Adelaide Hills, Clare and Eden valleys, the climate is a little cooler and the classic Bordeaux grapes Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, as well as the white grapes Chardonnay, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc, all of which are perfect.

In New South Wales, the Hunter Valley is the best known, particularly for its 'Semillon' grapes. One of the most famous wineries in the valley is Tyrrell's Winery, which is also on the shelves of the Vyno klubas. Australian Semillon has excellent ageing potential, with nutty, honeyed and toasty notes as it matures.  

In Rutherglen, Victoria, you can find fortified 'Muscat' grape wine. The Yarra Valley, Heathcote and the Mornington Peninsula are home to 'Chardonnay', 'Pinot Noir', 'Pinot Gris', 'Shiraz' and 'Cabernet Sauvignon' grapes.  

In cooler climates, Tasmania is known for its traditionally made sparkling wines made from 'Pinot Noir' and 'Riesling' grapes.  

In Western Australia, the most famous region is Margaret River, one of Australia's coolest and most maritime wine producing regions. Here, red Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot and white Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay are excellent. It is also home to Cloudburst Winery, the first Australian wine to be sold in the Bordeaux merchant network.