Stories of the wine-growing countries · Australia

Wines from Australia

A young wine country with great impact, known for distinctly fruity wines.

Australia is a young wine country: the Englishman Gregory Blaxland was the continent's first winegrower and promptly won the silver medal of the Royal Society of Arts with his first wine. The gold medal followed a few years later. Typically Australian are distinctly fruity wines made from Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, mainly from the climatically ideal south.

Character: Distinctly fruity wines
Leading varieties: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay
Pioneer: Gregory Blaxland (silver and gold medal from the Royal Society of Arts)
Growing region: Chiefly the cooler south

01/Australia

The history of wine in Australia

Australia's first winegrower was the Englishman Gregory Blaxland. When he brought his first wine produced in Australia to England, he was astonished to receive the silver medal of the Royal Society of Arts. The gold medal followed a few years later.

In Australia itself, imports from Europe were long held in high regard. Only once further European vines found their way to the continent did the domestic market and exports begin to flourish.

02/Australia

Winegrowing today

The climate in southern Australia offers ideal conditions for winegrowing. However, cultivation could only grow thanks to efficient irrigation systems. Demand for Australian wine in America and Europe continues to grow; icons such as Penfolds Grange are among the most sought-after wines in the world today.

03/Grape varieties