The World's Top Ten Most Famous Wine Regions and Wine Holiday Destinations Part 5: AUSTRALIA.

A true Australian.

THE WORLD'S TOP TEN MOST FAMOUS WINE REGIONS AND WINE HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS.

5. AUSTRALIA.

Australia has become one of the New-World's major wine producers, although it does not have one single indegenous grape. All grapes grown in Australia have originated from imported rootstock and their insistense to call Syrah, Shiraz, is only an effort to distinguish their Syrah wine from the rest of the world.

Neverthless, Australia's wine producing regions are vast and numerous as befits this large and beautiful country which is a continent in its own right.
Some of the most important regions that one would want to visit whilst on holiday in Australia might be one or two of the following:

A typical premium
Australian red wine.

1.New South Wales.

Hunter Valley: This region is only about a two hour drive from Sydney and is Australia's best-known wine region. The region is well known for its Chardonnay, Semillon, Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc grape varieties and excellent wines produced from them.

Mudgee also in New South Wales but further away from Sydney. famous for its small individual boutique wineries and cooler climate Chardonnay.



2. South Australia.
 Rich in wine regions and exclusive vineyards:
Barossa Valley - an hour's drive from Adelaide. Famous for its Shiraz, Grenache and Semillon vineyards. Other grape varieties grown here are Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir.

Clare Valley; The Adelaide Hills; Mclaren Vale and Coonawarra are also well known grape growing regions and fine wine prucing regions.

3. Victoria.
The Yarra Valley a cool climate, low yielding wine region which is an hour's drive from Melbourne.

Mornington Peninsula south of Melbourne and The Macedon Ranges north-west of Melbourne.

All famous for their Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, and Sauvignon sparkling wines.

4. Tasmania.
The Pipers River and the Tamar Valley region.

5. Western Australia.

Margaret River, three hours from Perth - there are about 40 wineries focusing on prime Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.

Pemberton - consisting of about 20 vineyards famous for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The Great Southern Region - for Riesling; Chardonnay; Pinot Noir; Cabernet Sauvignon; and Shiraz wines.

Australian Lamb Tenderloin.

Cuisine in Australia is very varied, due to the massive immigration policies of the 1950's which consequently brought with it new ideas in food preparation, albeit from existing ingredients that were originally found in Australia. Up to the 1950's Australian cuisine was tied to that of the United Kingdom -King, Queen and country, but that has changed drastically to the better and Australia can boast some very good restaurants in most cities. There are no Michelin starred restaurants in Australia, as there is no Michelin guide for this country, but the top restaurants are awarded with Chefs' Hats. Australia has some of the very best beef and lamb in the world, which pair and complement to perfection the vast selection of wines found here.

Wine tours in Australia are organized by specialized wine tour operators from every major city in Australia, and would include: private transfers, private or small group tours; wine tasting in selected wineries and also wineries of choice; scheduled transport services; meals; first class and deluxe hotels; B&B or country accomodation; as well as customized tours for groups in any region. It is best to make arrangements for specialsied wine tours whilst in Australia, so that specific requirements can be discussed with the tour operator in accordance with one's budget.