Australia is one of the pillars of the global wine world collectively referred to as ‘The New World’. This refers not to the age of the nation, the continent, or its native peoples, but to the age of its viticulture. To the surprise of many Europeans, Australia’s historic vineyards contain some of the oldest vine material in the world. This is owed in part to a successful effort to resist and contain the spread of the Phylloxera pest, which is absent in South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania. Globally renowned for bold Shiraz and effusive Chardonnay, Australia has also gained a global reputation for Semillon, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Grenache, and even Verdelho and Durif (Petite Sirah). These export products are only a tiny snapshot of the massive diversity and dynamism that today’s Australian winemakers represent. Truly there has never been a better time to be a wine enthusiast in Australia.
