Wines of Australia
Australia's wine industry is modern, innovative and export-oriented, yet some of its vines are among the oldest in the world. Most regions lie in the cooler south of the continent. Shiraz is the national flagship.
Main wine regions
- 1
Margaret River
Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay
Ocean-cooled Western Australia: elegant Cabernet and world-class Chardonnay.
- 2
Clare & Eden Valley
Riesling
Dry, lime-scented Rieslings that age beautifully.
- 3
Barossa Valley
Shiraz, Grenache, Mourvèdre
Old vines and rich, full-bodied Shiraz.
- 4
McLaren Vale
Shiraz, Grenache
Mediterranean climate near the sea: spicy, generous reds.
- 5
Coonawarra
Cabernet Sauvignon
Famous strip of red ‘terra rossa’ soil; minty, structured Cabernet.
- 6
Yarra Valley
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Cool region near Melbourne; elegant Pinot and Chardonnay.
- 7
Hunter Valley
Semillon, Shiraz
Australia's oldest region; unique, long-lived Semillon.
- 8
Tasmania
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, sparkling
The coolest state: fine sparkling wine and Pinot Noir.
Key grapes
Reading the label
Wines are usually labelled by grape. ‘GI’ (Geographical Indication) names zones, regions and sub-regions; ‘South Eastern Australia’ indicates a large-volume blend across states.
Put it into practice
Our Wine Tasting Sheet guides you through appearance, nose, palate, quality and readiness — with hints in brackets so you always find the right word. Fill it in on screen or print it.