Meadowbank Estates:
Meadowbank Home | Australia Map | New Zealand Map | Meadowbank Wines

Australia
The biggest island in the world, also a continent, Australia is equivalent in size to the mainland United States.

In the northern part of this continent, one will experience hot and sunny tropical beaches of the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, not to mention the amazing Great Barrier Reef; in the hear of Australia, dry and arid É the bold and blazing Ayers Rock and down south É the cool, lush alpine forests of Tasmania.

Australia was first colonized in the late 1700s by the British. In the early 1800s, as a result of the gold rush, there was an influx of migrants from the United Kingdom and China. Over the last 200 years, people from all over the world continue to settle in Australia.

Today, Australia boasts 140 different cultures living together in once nation and has a population of over 20 million people; which includes the indigenous Australians, known as the Aboriginals. A quarter of the population is comprised of Australian citizens born overseas. Without a doubt, Australia is a nation rich in culture and diversity.

Of the 6 states and 2 territories that make up Australia, the bulk of the population is concentrated in the major capital cities, namely Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. These cities are no different to most of the other big cities in the world.

However, the melting pot of all the different cultures has definitely added variety to daily living. It is evident in the many different cuisines that are available in Australia, and from this sharing of ideas has culminated in modern Australian cuisine. It is a fusion of techniques and ingredients from east to west, emphasizing balance, harmony, texture and flavor.

Together with food, comes hand in hand with wine! The first plantings of vines were evident in Australia in the late 1700s. Today, Australia arguably has some of the oldest vines in the world as it managed to escape the phyloxerra epidemic that engulfed many wine regions in the world.

60 wine regions have been officially recognized. Some of the more popular include Barossa, McLaren Vale and Coonawarra in South Australia, Margaret River in Western Australia, Hunter Valley in New South Wales and Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula in Victoria.

Needless to say, many varieties are planted in these many regions including Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Grenache, Shiraz, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The evolution continues as many other varieties are continually been planted, the likes of Arneis, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese and Tempranillo.

Wineries

• redhouse

Return to Map