The Australian vineyards rank 4th for exports. They show commercial dynamism and efficient marketing through trademarks. They are essentially concentrated in the South-South-East quarter of the continent, with some smaller vineyards in the South-Sout-West. Australia produces generous wines of all types.

Surface : 169 000 ha   Production : 10 Mhl   Consumption : 5 Mhl

Terroir

• soils : sandy and clay alluvium, limestone
• climate : hot to arid, more temperate in winegrowing areas, but requiring irrigation
• main grape varieties : Reds : shiraz (syrah, dominant), cabernet sauvignon, merlot and Whites : chardonnay (dominant), sémillon, sauvignon blanc, riesling

Main wine regions

• Southern Australia : Coonawarra, (cabernet sauvignon), valleys of Barossa, Eden, McLaren and  Clare, Padthaway, Langhorne creek
• Western Australia : Margaret river, (chardonnay)
• New South Wales : Hunter Valley
• Tasmania
• Victoria State

Legislation

• Grape varieties and trademarks are the main references.
• Indication of geographic origin is being progressively introduced (State, winegrowing zone and sub zone)
• LIP (Label Integrity Program)

Sites : www.wineaustralia.com (governmental site) and www.wineaustralia.com.au (National Wine Center of Australia)