Shiraz grapes have long been central to Australia's reputation for producing good quality, well priced red wine. Indeed, the father of Australian viticulture, a Scotsman named James Busby, collected vine cuttings from France and Spain and brought them back to Australia in the early to mid 1830's. The grape variety became well established by the 1860's and it has gone on to become the most popular red grape grown in Australia today.

There are a number of regions growing Shiraz grapes in Australia and each has its own distinctive character.

Margaret River located south of Perth in Western Australia has what wine growers like to term as a 'warm maritime climate'. For comparison sake, Bordeaux in France has a warm maritime climate. Wine regions in warm maritime climates are characterized by their closeness to large bodies of water and their long growing seasons. It is said Margaret River Shiraz has intense spice, cherry, cinnamon and raspberry flavours.

Heathcote is a temperate climate region located near central Victoria and about 110 kilometres north of Melbourne. The Heathcote wine region is noted for its Shiraz grapes which produce deep coloured, rich red wines. Heathcote is also very well known for the numbers of small vineyards and wineries in the area producing award winning and well sought after wines. Shiraz wines from Jasper Hill and The Shiraz Republic hail from the Heathcote area. Heathcote Shiraz is fast becoming a favourite of wine drinkers from all over Australia and internationally.

The Hunter Valley has a warm to hot climate but is also noted for getting a lot of rain at times. Located north of Sydney, the Hunter region is about 30 kilometres inland from the coast. The area has many varieties of grapes but its most popular variety is Shiraz. It is known for its wines which age well with focussed earthy flavours.

The Barossa Valley is a warm climate region which many claim has the best Shiraz grapes and wines in Australia. It is a very short drive to the Barossa from Adelaide as it is just located just 70 kilometres north east of the capital. Of course, opinions are subjective but these are very powerful wines with many different aromas including plum, liquorice, vanilla and chocolate. Many of the country's largest wine producers have vineyards and wineries in the Barossa, and there are also many smaller niche vineyards as well.

The Grampians grape growing region is located in Victoria and is about a three hour drive from Melbourne, the state capital. Shiraz grapes from this region consistently produce award winning wines with sparkling Shiraz wine beginning to be a real favourite among wine lovers. Typically, many of the wines have a spicy, peppery flavour as well as that of dark fruit.

Of course, there are many other wine growing areas in Australia; many of them growing Shiraz grapes as well as other red and white varieties. Shiraz Grapes have helped Australia to become the fourth largest exporter of wine in the world. I wonder if James Busby knew what he was starting when he imported those grape vines back in the 19th century.

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