0 CommentsIn 2006-7 Shiraz was the most widely produced grape variety in Australia. 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”.
Wine production is a significant industry in Australia, directly employing 28,000 people. Not including related employment in the retail, wholesale, and hospitality industries.
In 2006-7 the industry crushed 1.39 million tonnes of grapes to make 955 million litres of wine.
Australia’s largest wine export market in 2006–07 was the United Kingdom (269 million litres, worth AU$977 million), closely followed by the United States (215 million litres, worth AU$856 million). Other leading destinations for Australian wines included Canada, Germany and New Zealand.
The 2007 edition of the Australian Wine Companion lists 2,176 Australian wineries, 230 new wineries and rates more than 6,000 wines.
The wine cask or wine box, the forerunner to the modern day soft pack, was invented in Australia.
Top Australian Wines To Try Before You Die
PENFOLDS ‘Bin 95’ Grange Shiraz South Australia
Top Vintages
1999/8, 1996, 1991/0, 1986, 1980, 1976, 1971, 1966, 1963/2, 1955, 1953
BASS PHILLIP WINES Reserve Pinot Noir South Gippsland Victoria
Top Vintages
2003, 2001, 1996-9, 1994, 1991
CULLEN WINES ‘Diana Madeline’ Cabernet Merlot Margaret River-Western Australia
Top Vintages
2001/2, 1999, 1994-8
GIACONDA Chardonnay Beechworth-Victoria
Top Vintages
2004, 2002, 2000, 1996-8, 1994, 1990/1
HENSCHKE ‘Hill of Grace’ Shiraz Eden Valley-South Australia
Top Vintages
1998/9, 1996, 1994, 1990-2, 1986, 1978
LEEUWIN ESTATE ‘Art Series’ Chardonnay Margaret River-Western Australia
Top Vintages
2003, 2000/1, 1999, 1995-7, 1987
MOSS WOOD Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River-Western Australia
Top Vintages
2001, 1999, 1994-7, 1990-2, 1987
MOUNT MARY ‘Quintet’ Yarra Valley-Victoria
Top Vintages
2000, 1998/9, 1996, 1994, 1990/1, 1988, 1986, 1984, 1982, 1979
PENFOLDS ‘Bin 707’ Cabernet Sauvignon South Australia
Top Vintages
2002, 1998, 1996, 1994, 1990/1, 1986, 1983, 1976, 1966/7, 1964
ROCKFORD ‘Basket Press’ Shiraz Barossa Valley-South Australia
Top Vintages
2002, 1998/9, 1996, 1994, 1990/1, 1986
WENDOUREE Shiraz Clare Valley-South Australia
Top Vintages
2002, 1998, 1994, 1990/1, 1989, 1986
