While most Australian wines sold in the US are mass-marketed and brand-driven, the sheer volume of imports - Australia is the third-largest exporter of wines to the US, right behind France and closing fast - means restaurant customers probably already feel comfortable ordering wines from down under. And if California wine has conquered America, it can be argued that Australian wine has conquered the world.
Part of the world, at least. The UK has traditionally, been the largest consumer of Australia's wine, receiving over 40% by value each year. But exports to the US are growing, up to 28% of Oz's output in value in 2001. Exports to the USA increased significantly since 1992, from $43m to $547m in 2001.
Australians are everyday wine drinkers, the top in the English-speaking world at 5.2 gallons each per year. Today the country is the eighth wine producer in the world (the United States is fourth), with nearly 300,000 acres under vine and more than 1,300 wineries. And with powerful international groups scooping up Aussie wineries, the range and number of wines and labels brought into the US is bound to keep growing.
WHAT'S THE WEATHER?
Most of Australia is dry and hot, with vineyards in need of irrigation, especially in the dry Riverland. Victoria and New South Wales. But the continent/country has as much variation as the continental United States. …
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