South African vineyards

Australia

Australia's wine industry has been growing steadily for the past ten years. Grapes have been grown here since 1829 when Lindeman started planting grapes in the Hunter Valley Northwest of Sydney. Lindemans "Bin 65" Chardonnay is for it's price, one of the most well received Australian wines in America and the world.

Although Chardonnay has become very popular in Australia, the two originally planted grapes are Shiraz and Semillon. Shiraz is another term for Syrah. This grape thrives in the warmer vineyards of Oz. Rich currant-berry fruit with touches of earth and leather. Tannins are usually soft, resulting in complex yet enjoyable wine. Shiraz can range from light fruity style(Rosemount Shiraz/Cab) to big rich and complex (Taltarni).

New Zealand -

Cooler overall growing conditions than Australia, New Zealand is noted for exceptional Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc is a delicious example of the New Zealand style.

Major Grape varietals of Australia and New Zealand:

Reds -

Whites

South Africa -

South Africa has been producing wine for over 300 years. Most wineries are located within a 100 mile radius of Cape Town. Pinotage is it's unique hybrid of Pinot Noir and Cinsault. SA wines are more in the French style, than Australia.

 

Chile -

An isolated country with a coastline stretching over 3000 miles, Chile is noted for its phylloxeria* free vines and healthy fruit. Protected by the Andes mountain range to the East and with the Pacific Ocean influences to the West, central Chile enjoys an almost temperate climate, not unlike Bordeaux, and ideal for grape cultivation. Almost half of the vineyard acreage of 130,000 ha is devoted to table grape production mainly in the hotter North of the country.
The absence of phylloxeria*, which ravaged the world's vineyards in the mid 1800's, means that most of Chile's vine population is ungrafted - hence the existence of some very old vines. As with Argentina, irrigation is essential and widespread, with extensive use made of the melting snows from the Andes. Water is channelled into a series of canals and diverted to the mainly fertile plains of the Central Valley where the bulk of wine production takes place.