The area around Sydney has the longest history of grape growing in Australia. The original grape vines came with the First Fleet and were planted at Sydney Cove in 1788.
The majority of grapes are grown in warm climate regions, including the Riverina, Murray Valley and Riverland wine regions, located in southern NSW, north western Victoria and South Australia.
Known as the wine capital of Australia, Adelaide is surrounded by some of the best wine regions in the country, many of which are just a short drive from the city.
Hunter Valley – Australia's oldest wine region | Wine Australia.
The vines had been brought to Australia from the Cape of Good Hope and were the first to be successfully cultivated in the country. John Macarthur set up the first commercial vineyard in the country soon after. The vineyard was located in Sydney's coastal area.
Hunter Valley: The oldest wine-growing region in Australia.
Bright, bold and full of personality, Shiraz is Australia's most popular variety. It grows in almost every wine region of Australia, accounts for one-quarter of total wine production and is our most exported wine.
Georgia is generally considered the 'cradle of wine', as archaeologists have traced the world's first known wine creation back to the people of the South Caucasus in 6,000BC. These early Georgians discovered grape juice could be turned into wine by burying it underground for the winter.
Oldest Wine in Existence Today: 325-350 AD Speyer Wine Bottle. Found in 1867 in the tomb of Roman soldier, the Speyer wine bottle is believed to be the oldest wine in existence.
James Busby died on July 15, 1871 during a visit to England. He was survived by his wife and three of their six children. While not the first to import or grow vines in Australia, Busby's drive and entrepreneurship in the craft of viticulture has left him a legacy as father of the Australian wine industry.
Australian wine growth – key varieties in the US
Our most planted variety Shiraz is the most common red variety exported to the US. The variety held a 26 per cent share ahead of Cabernet Sauvignon with 21 per cent and Merlot with 15 per cent.
Trumping Italy, France, Spain, New Zealand, Argentina and every other country on the planet, little old Australia has taken home the most Best in Show awards – ten in total – in the Decanter World Wine Awards 2023. It's a wine competition regarded as the world's biggest and most legit, now in its 20th year.
Our old vines
It might come as a surprise to learn that Australia is home to some of the oldest vines in the world, many over 150 years old! You've got to be truly special to survive that long, lovingly tended by six or more generations to make remarkable wines that are uniquely Australian.
What you'll learn: Shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and sauvignon blanc are the most frequently consumed wines in Australia. Organic wine and vegan wine is seeing strong growth. Australian people are increasingly health conscious and younger Australians are drinking less.
Australia wine has a slightly warmer climate and makes more graceful full-bodied wines with a high degree of acidity and alcohol. Wines made in the cooler southeastern part of Australia (Yarra Valley and Adelaide Hills) have more earthy tones and fruity flavours.
The best wines can be stored for more than 100 years, but most great wines will reach their peak before they turn 50 years old.
For many wine lovers, France is the world's greatest wine country. However, it's now in second place in two key categories. First, it has the world's second-largest total vineyard area, second to Spain. Second, it is also the second-largest wine producer: Italy takes the lead in the volume of wine produced.
Most wines will improve with age but too much age will ultimately spell the end of what was once a great wine. 200 year old shipwreck wines are lucky if they taste like wine at all.
Bordeaux, World Heritage Site since 2007
World wine capital, the city of Bordeaux looks resplendent in its 18th-century grandeur. UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 2007.
So, could you drink what's left? On a microbiological level, yes: Researchers say it's likely safe and won't kill you, although the wine won't taste good.
Shiraz is often thought of as the classic Australian red wine. The red wine grape varietal is simply Syrah – which originates from the Rhône Valley in France – under a different name. Its new moniker came after its arrival in Australia and the name gradually morphed into its New World variant.
A $10 riesling has been named one of Australia's best wines. Tolley riesling from the Clare Valley in South Australia was crowned the best white wine under $20 at Dan Murphy's annual Decoded Wine Awards.