Down Under Wine Wonders

Starting in the mid-1990s until last year, Australian wines enjoyed mega-growth as Australian shiraz became synonymous with the sweet, high-alcohol "fruit bombs."

The growth of wine was so rapid that in 1996 the Australian government's wine authority drew up a 30-year sales target for the industry--and reached it 20 years early. Unfortunately, starting last year, consumers who once scooped up the look-alike shirazes are now reaching for the wines of other countries--ignoring the great-tasting wines Australia makes.

For instance, if you think of Riesling as a sugary-sweet wine from Germany, then Australian Riesling will change your mind. Almost all the wines are dry and have lively, mouth-watering acidity. And, they are almost all bottled in screw cap. Try Grosset from Clare Valley in South Australia or Rocky Gully from Margaret River in Western Australia...and have a g'day!