Barossa Wine – Australian Wine Facts

Here we have gathered together some interesting facts about Australia and, in particular, Barossa Wine. We hope that you find these Facts and Figures interesting. It is easy to see how important the wine industry is to Australia, we have become a major player on the international wine producing scene. Winning many international awards, our wines are growing in popularity each year. Each year the release of each vintage of Barossa wine is awaited eagerly by wine enthusiasts the world over. It is clear to see how significant the production of Barossa wine is to the national and international wine markets.   

·         Australia is the worlds largest English speaking wine drinking nation.  Australia consumes 21.1 litres per person each year.  Overall we are ranked 16^th in the world 

·         Around 52% of Australia’s wine consumed comes in a wine box, this percentage has reduced from 64% during the 1980’s and 1990’s 

·         The wine box was invented in Australia 

·         Australia is the 4^th largest exporter of wine in the world, and the 6^th largest producer of wine.  Around 2 million bottles are exported each day to over 100 different international markets, this equates to around 60% of our wine production 

·         South Australia is the country’s largest wine producing state 

·         Fosters Group became the largest wine company in Australia when it took over Southcorp 

·         The UK imports more Australian wine than it does French wine 

·         Around 78% of wineries in Australia have cellar doors, 29% have restaurants, 11% offer accommodation, and some hold some of the countries big food and wine events and festivals 

·         Each year more than 100 new wine producers start up in Australia 

·         There are currently 68 wine regions throughout Australia 

·         Australians tend to drink their red wines too warm and their white wines too cold.  Drinking a white that is too cold suppresses its fruit flavour and exaggerates its tannin.  Drinking a red that is too warm exaggerates the alcohol and softens the tannin 

·         The most valuable Australian wine to be sold at auction was a Barossa wine, a Penfold’s ‘Grange’ 1951 vintage, which sold for over AUS$50,000 

·         Australia has some of the oldest wines in the world.  The Barossa Valley in particular has some of the oldest Shiraz vines in the world, making some of the best Barossa wine 

·         Australia has been producing wines for just over 200 years, and during this time some of the wines produced in this country have become internationally renowned, especially a large selection of the best Barossa wine