New South Wales (NSW) : Centred by Sydney as its capital, NSW has 10 appellations, with the Lower and Upper Hunter Valley by far the most important. Hot, dry interior regions like Murray/Sunraysia, Griffith/Riverina, Mudgee, and Cowra are largely for high-volume, inexpensive wines, although Cowra's star is rising as a chardonnay region.

Hunter Valley : The principal grape varieties are Semillon, Shiraz, Chardonnay. At 32 degrees of latitude, one of the world's warmest, most humid, and improbable wine regions is responsible for the legendary ageability of Australian Semillon and Shiraz. With Sydney less than two hours by car, tourists have played an essential role in Hunter's economy. So, too, have the clouds that roll off the coast to block the mid-day sun and preserve valuable acidity. The best vineyards are astride the Brokenback Range in soils that restrict vine vigour, thus concentrating flavours. The big names here are Tyrrell's, Brokenback, Shiraz , Lindeman and Rosemount.

Victoria & Tasmania : Victoria has 15 wine appellation. From Melbourne they fan out to dot higher and drier inland areas, except for the cooler Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, and the island of Tasmania. Only in the hotter northeast along the Murray River is there much large-scale viticulture. Northwest of Melbourne, the hot, dry regions of Geelong, Macedon, Bendigo, and Pyrenees are home to many small wineries.

Great Western : The main grapes are Shiraz, Cabernet, Chardonnay. Two and half hours west of Melbourne, the Great Western region is one of Australia's oldest, established, like California's Sierra Foothills, during a gold rush in the mid 19th century. It's a very dry, irrigated region but its position on the fringe of the Great Dividing Range provides a notably cool climate, making it ideal for later-ripening varieties like Shiraz. There are only about a dozen wineries here, including the famous Mount Langi Ghiran and Seppelt.

Yarra Valley : The main grapes grown are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This verdant, hilly zone at 37 degrees on Melbourne's northern flank is one of Australia's leading regions for cool-climate, higher-acid grapes, especially for chardonnay, pinot noir, and even sparkling wine from Green Point/Domaine Chandon. The big names here are: Coldstream Hills and De Bortoli.