Australian has now become the fourth largest wine producing and exporting country. With 62 designated wine regions, the wine industry has grown since the first vineyard was planted around Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1788. The vineyard regions are based around south east Australia, in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
As with the wine production in Italy, Australia caters for a wide range of tastes and price scales. Styles available include a sparkling red, which is exceedingly popular in Australia, made from the Semillion Grape, along with the shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon based red wines.
Due to Australia's climate of fine constant sunshine, vintages are constantly good, unlike in Europe where a seasons poor weather can spoil a vintage resulting in a diluted wine.