Australia has a land mass as great as the United States or western Europe, providing generations of winemakers with a diverse climate from cold to cool to warm and a wide variety of soil types. More than 60 distinct wine regions have been officially recognized in Australia, providing consumers with a huge selection of wines with regional characteristics. You will find the world’s classic premium red grape varieties are all found in abundance in Australia such as Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Shiraz, Tempranillo, and Zinfandel. And don’t assume that if you’ve tasted Australian Chardonnay, that you have experienced the extraordinary diversity and quality of all that Australian white wine has to offer. Chenin Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Viognier are hugely successful and popular.