Australia

The production and quality of Australian wines flourished with the arrival of free settlers from various parts of Europe, who used their skills and knowledge to establish some of Australia’s premier wine regions.  Early Australian winemakers faced many difficulties, particularly due to the unfamiliar Australian climate, but eventually achieved considerable success.  The country has no native grapes, and Vitis vinifera varieties were introduced from Europe and South Africa in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.  Major grape varieties include Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillion, and Riesling.  Although Syrah was originally called Shiraz in Australia and Syrah elsewhere, its dramatic commercial success has led many Syrah producers around the world to label their wine “Shiraz.”  Today, Australia is the fourth-largest exporter of wine in the world.