As the majority of Australia’s wine producing regions are situated in the southern hemisphere, the summer/winter seasons here are the opposite of summers/winters experienced by the wine regions in the northern hemisphere. Thus, when it is summer in the northern hemisphere, Australia’s wine producing regions are experiencing the southern hemisphere’s winter, and vice versa. The hottest time of year in Australia is between November and March, and midwinter is July through August.
Amongst the major wine regions in South Eastern Australia are the Clare and Barossa Valley areas north of Adelaide that are famous for Shiraz; immediately south is McLaren Vale that is famous for Sauvignon Blanc; the Coonawarra area in the south that is famous for Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon; and Hunter Valley close to Sydney that is famous for its Chardonnay varieties. In Western Australia is Margaret River that differs significantly from the southern areas because of its cooler climate. Though this vast continent is home to numerous other wine regions, these are the most popular ones that the average consumers are aware of.
Since all of Australia’s wine producing regions are in the southern hemisphere, vintage variability here isn’t as extreme as in the northern hemisphere of Western Europe. The climate is usually good that is a great plus for the local wine makers. Unfortunately, however, this consistency sometimes leads to the fallacy that each vintage is as good as the previous one. This misconception, undoubtedly created by large wine companies which dominate the local wine scene, is gradually being shattered as smaller companies successfully start exporting their less homogenous beverages. It is important to remember that Australia is a big country and thus the quality of different areas’ harvest can vary quite significantly. However, compared to regions in the northern hemisphere, it is correct that Australia has a much more consistent weather overall.
Australia is truly a wine producer’s paradise in numerous ways. Its diverse soil conditions and microclimate allow for extraordinary range of wine grapes as well as wine varieties: red and white, sparkling and sweet. During the last few years, there has been a great rise in the global popularity of Australia’s wines. But again, Australian wines make a head start over their rivals in the northern hemisphere. Grape harvests in Australia take place from late January through early May because of its below-the-equator location. Therefore, Australian wines get released half a year earlier than northern hemisphere beverages of the same vintage.
