Best Australian wines: from iconic Shiraz and Chardonnay to blends and sparkling

Australian wine burst onto the international scene in the 1980s and became instantly popular thanks to their easy-to-read labels – annotated by variety – which made things simple to understand for wine newbies. 

Today, Australian wine is loved for more than fun Kangaroo labels and relative affordability. The country’s wine makers are known for experimenting with more innovative approaches than European techniques, resulting in unique and distinctive styles.

With diverse wine regions in several states including South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia, and Tasmania, each boasts its own unique climate, terroir, and grape varieties. While their reputations have given rise to a burgeoning wine tourism scene, it’s their accessibility and approachability that has made it such a popular choice in export markets, especially in the UK.

But with thousands of wine