Australia is one of the world’s leading wine countries — more wine is produced Down Under than in Germany. Australian red wine in particular has gained international recognition. Around 60 percent of the wine-growing area in Australia is planted with red grape varieties. They are mainly located in vineyards in the south of the country. The states of Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia produce particularly large quantities of wine.
Most popular grape varieties and best-known wines in Australia
A little more than 40% of the wines grown are white vines- include Chardonnay, Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Riesling. The remaining almost 60% are red. Among these are in the first place Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo.
Most important growing areas
- South Australia: Barossa Valley Mc Laren Vale, Riverland, Coonawarra, Adalaide Hills
- Western Australia: Margret River, Swan Valley
- Victoria: Goulburn Valley, Yarra Valley, Pinisula
- New South Wales: Hunter Valley, Reverina
- Canberra: Hunter Valley, McLaren Vale
- and Tasmania.
Main transshipment points (ports)
Melbourne, Adalaide, Perth
With an average price of 137 euros per hectoliter, Australian wines are comparatively cheap, even though they have to travel long distances. Nevertheless, demand for them in Germany is low. Both the volume and the value of Australian wines have fallen again, by 9.6 and 10.5 percent respectively. Interestingly, however, the proportion of red wine rose from 49 to 54 percent, and 84 percent of imported wines come in bulk
