Australian Wine
South Australia supplies more than half our Australian wine, mostly shiraz, chardonnay and cabernet.
Australian wine questions
What wine is Australia known for?
Australia is best known for shiraz, especially rich, ripe styles from the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale. It's also famous for riesling from the Clare and Eden Valleys, cabernet sauvignon from Coonawarra and Margaret River, chardonnay from Margaret River and the Yarra Valley, and semillon from the Hunter Valley.
Is Australian wine all big and fruity?
No. Australia's reputation for big, jammy wines comes from warm regions and a style popular in the 1990s and 2000s. Cooler regions like Tasmania, the Yarra Valley, Adelaide Hills, Mornington Peninsula and parts of Margaret River make lighter, fresher, more elegant wines, including excellent pinot noir, chardonnay and sparkling wine.
What does GSM mean on an Australian wine?
GSM stands for grenache, shiraz and mourvèdre, a red blend inspired by the southern Rhône in France. Grenache brings red fruit and warmth, shiraz adds dark fruit and structure, and mourvèdre adds earthy, savory depth. McLaren Vale and the Barossa are known for GSMs, often from old vines.