Australian and New Zealand Wines
Regions
Australia is known for big punchy shiraz.
New Zealand is known for delicate, fresh sauv blanc.
Australia: Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Margaret River, Yarra Valley.
New Zealand: Marlborough (especially for Sauvignon Blanc), Central Otago (noted for Pinot Noir), Hawke’s Bay.
Varietals
Shiraz (Australia) – Rich, bold, peppery, and fruit-forward.
Sauvignon Blanc (NZ) – Zesty, grassy, and tropical.
Chardonnay – Wide range from lean to creamy.
Pinot Noir (NZ) – Delicate with red fruit and earthy notes.
History
Australia’s winemaking dates back to the 1800s but gained global clout in the 1990s with export success. New Zealand’s wine scene exploded in the 1980s with the rise of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, now a signature white worldwide.