Wine Shop

Australia doesn't have a long, impressive wine-growing history, but once it decided to become a part of the world's wine trade, it soared. Cuttings were brought over from Europe to create Australian vineyards in the late 18th century. Serious wine-making didn't take hold until the 19th century when British gentry moved to New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, planting their large tracts of land with vineyards. The Australian wines produced at the large estates, primarily sweet dessert wines and port, were consumed by Australians and exported to Britain. After World War II, immigrants flocked to Australia, bringing the food and wines of their native lands with them. They looked to the Australian vineyards to create the kind of wines with which they were familiar. This demand was instrumental in upgrading the quality and breadth of the Australian wine industry. During the 1970's, as Australia experimented with grape varieties and the best locations to plant them, investors bought out or brought together Australian wineries, putting money and new technology into Australian wine-making. Today, the reputation of fine Australian wine has extended far beyond its shores.