Grape Varieties Used To Producing Australian Wine

Australia has no native grapes; major varieties Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Riesling, though, grown in abundance in the country to be used for the production of Australian Wines, are all foreign species. Vitis vinifera varieties were first introduced in to Australia from Europe and South Africa in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Later on however, Australian viticulturalists have bred some new varieties, for example like the types of Cienna and Tarrango.     

Back then, Australians were the first to rename the type, Syrah, as Shiraz, while the rest of the world still continued using the original name. However, the dramatic commercial success of Shiraz later on, led many of the Syrah producers in other countries too, to labelling their wines as Shiraz as well.      

Australian wine makers use about 130 different varieties of grapes. Other than using the, above said, traditional varieties, since of late Australian wine makers have also begun probing in to using the so called “alternative varieties” as well, as a result of the latter new varieties from France, Italy and Spain, for example Petit Verdot, Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese, Tempranillo and Viognier are becoming more common. Wine makers of Australia now produce Wines from many other varieties too.

Australian Wine Makers

Australian wine making has shown impressive results, and now, has gone so far as to establishing benchmarks for a number of varietals, such as Chardonnay and Shiraz.  Australian wine makers have made new innovations in areas such as canopy management, viticulture techniques and in winemaking.  

Commitment and their general attitude towards their work have made Australian wine makers a special breed un-matched in their skills by many others in the industry, this is the reason why Australian wine makers are much sought after. Many Australian wine makers relocating to the northern hemisphere, during the off-season is now a common phenomenon. No wonder, as said by the wine critic Matt Kramer, Australia is the most powerful influence in wine today!