Regions
Discover the beautiful wines made from the great wine regions of the world, starting from our own backyard! With 64 regions to explore in Australia alone, there's an endless voyage of discovery for those willing to jump in and find those special buried treasures. Let iHeartWine be your tour guide and take your wine love to a whole other level!
Victoria
There are 21 wine regions in Victoria that range from very warm climates like Rutherglen, producing world leading examples of fortified wine, to the coldest of cool climates in the Macedon Ranges, where some of the country’s finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are made. With so much diversity of wine in Victoria, it’s almost impossible to define stylistically, but rest assured, with so many varieties grown and outstanding wines being made, you’re guaranteed to find your own bottle of heaven.
Tasmania
Tasmania is one of Australia’s coolest wine regions and is made up of 7 wine regions. Tassie typically produces wines with a coolness and freshness due to their ability to ripen slowly in cool weather, all the while retaining noticeable levels of natural acidity and depth of fruit. Sparkling, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon are common varieties you’ll find here.
Western Australia
Western Australia, especially the Margaret River, is responsible for making some of the most sought after expressions of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon in Australia. There are 9 wine regions in WA and the wines typically have depth of fruit, good ripeness and acidity with a unique line of minerality that runs through the fruit. Some think it might come from the ocean breeze that flows throughout vineyards. Other common varieties you will find include Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Shiraz.
New South Wales
The 16 wine regions of NSW are diverse in terroir and climate, some of which produce Australia’s leading whites and reds. From world class Semillon in the Hunter Valley, exceptional Riesling in Canberra, mineral Chardonnay from Tumbarumba, fruity Pinot Noir in the Southern Highlands and the most prized cool climate Shiraz of Murrumbateman, there is quality to be found all over this relatively overlooked state. Some other common varieties grown in NSW include Verdelho, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Queensland
Queensland is a growing hotspot for delicious wines. So far, there are 6 wine regions but the Granite Belt and South Burnett are the most successful. Extreme heat and high rainfall throws many challenges to wine making in this state, however, some vintages have made wines that can compete with the best of Australia. The most common varieties coming out of the sunshine state include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon, Verdelho, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chambourcin.
South Australia
South Australia is the home to some of the most famous wine regions, best-known wineries and oldest vines in Australia. It’s also the birth place to the iconic big and juicy reds that have put this region on the radar for wine lovers across the globe. There are 18 wine regions in SA and the wines are best described as fruit forward, juicy, bold and generous with ripeness, decadence and richness. Common varieties you will find in SA include Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Shiraz, Grenache, Mataro, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir.
Spain
Spain has seen a rebirth of its vineyards in recent decades and has chosen to revitalise its wine culture with a push towards a more “international” style of wine. Think New World bold, ripe and juicy fruit with dusty old world minerality and tannins. There are 69 wine regions in Spain, but most regions fall within 7 areas of climate. The most popular wines of Spain are made from Albariño, Tempranillo, Grenache, Monastrelle (Mataro), Carignan, Mencia or Bobal. Spain also makes some of the best Sherry and unique fortified wines in the world.
Germany
Germany is a cool climate country most famous for its production of benchmark Riesling and its world leading focus on organic and biodynamic wine production. There are 13 wine regions and around 130 different grape varieties used in Germany, 70 of which are commonly used. The most popular styles made here are aromatic whites, but there are also incredible Pinot Noir and Blaufränkisch to be found. Germany’s wine classification system is a little complex and speaks about the level of dryness/sweetness in a wine, something very important in the product of Riesling.
USA
Wines from the USA are typically quite curvaceous, bold and fruit forward, with the exception here and there. There are 12 wine regions across the country, with the vast majority of wine coming out of California. The most popular wines made here are Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Colombard, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Syrah, some of which have challenged the very best wines of France in quality and demand a price tag with 4 digits. If you love wines from Bordeaux and Burgundy, you have to try American wines!
New Zealand
Although New Zealand produces only 1% of wine in the world, it does so with an iron fist and gifts winelovers with wines of exceptional quality, purity of fruit and expressions of terroir. Most famous for its Sauvignon Blanc, this stunning country has gone on to produce some of the best aromatic whites, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir you can find outside of Europe. With 10 diverse wine regions, a strong focus on sustainability, an enviable maritime climate and a plethora of varieties grown, you’re spoilt for choice here and are guaranteed superb drinking.
Italy
Italy makes more wine than any other country in the world and uses over 2000 different grape varieties in 20 different regions. Sangiovese, Dolcetto, Barbera, Nerello Mascalese and Nebbiolo are Italy’s benchmark wines and set the standard for expressions the world over. Most Italian wine is made to match local cuisine, which gives diversity across the country. The best Italian wines are given a DOCG label, found on the neck of a bottle. Famous regions include Veneto, Tuscany, Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, Umbria, Abruzzo, Trentino Alto-Adige, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Puglia and Sicily.
France
French wine is often revered and is used as benchmark expressions by which all others are judged. This is because it’s the traditional home for the worlds most loved grape varieties and styles including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Gamay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Shiraz and many more. There are 11 wine regions in France, using over 100 different grape varieties. The most famous regions include Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire Valley, Rhone Valley and Champagne where it's quite common to see single bottles fetching over $100,000!
