Australia

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Submitted by John on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 9:08am

 
Australia
 
Classification & Wine Law

The Australia Wine and Brandy Corporation enforces Australian wine law through the Label Integrity Program (LIP). 
 
Australia winemaking areas are classified into Geographical Indications (GIs) the following way:
 
State
 
Zone 

·         There is no legal requirement for zones to have unique geographic or   climatic characteristics.
 
Region
 
·         Defined as a single piece of land that is required to produce 500 tons of grape per year, that is measurable unique grape growing conditions, that contains at least five independently owned vineyards of at least 12.35 acres (5 hectares)
 
Subregion
 
·         Defined as a single piece of land that is required to have at least 5 independently owned vineyards of at least 12.35 acres (5 hectares) each and produce 500 tons of grapes per year. More unique and specific grape growing conditions than within a larger Region are required.
 
Label Language

If there is a vintage, varietal or region mentioned on the label, then 85% of the wine within the bottle must come from stated vintage, varietal and/or region. If there is more than 1 variety or region in the bottle, then they are listed on the label in descending order.

Vineyard Area

            2008: 427,000 acres (172,874 hectares)
            2007: 425,000 acres (172,064 hectares)
            2006: 406,000 acres (164,372 hectares)
            2005: 394,000 acres (159,514 hectares)
            2004: 387,000 acres (156,680 hectares)
 
Production

            2008: 14,750,000 hectoliters (389,400,000 gallons)
            2007: 9,620,000 hectoliters (253,968,000 gallons)
            2006: 14,628,000 hectoliters (386,179,200 gallons)
            2005: 14,669,000 hectoliters (387,261,600 gallons)
            2004: 15,048,000 hectoliters (397,267,200 gallons)
 
Wine Regions (States)

            New South Wales
            Queensland
            South Australia
            Tasmania
            Victoria
            Western Australia
 
Grapes

            White
 
                        Arneis
                        Chardonnay
                        Chenin Blanc
                        Colombard
                        Cortese
                        Garganega
                        Gewurztraminer
                        Gouais Blanc
                        Marsanne
                        Ondenc
                        Petit Manseng
                        Picolit
                        Riesling
                        Roussanne
                        Sauvignon Blanc
                        Schonburger
                        Semillon
                        Verdelho
                        Vermentino
                        Viognier
 
            Red
 
                        Barbera
                        Cabernet Franc
                        Cabernet Sauvignon
                        Durif
                        Grenache
                        Lagrein
                        Malbec
                        Merlot
                        Mourvedre
                        Nebbiolo
                        Pinot Noir
                        Ruby Cabernet
                        Sangiovese
                        Saperavi
                        Shiraz
                        Tannat