How to find exciting new wines

Wine is made in Australia from more than 150 different grape varieties. How many have you tried? Can you even name half of them?

Vinodiversity will help you will learn about wine made from some of these new varieties, and you will see how some older varieties are being given new life by winemakers charged with passion and with modern grapegrowing and winemaking skills.

Wine is a special product in that every wine is different. The more you focus on the diversity, and the more you seek it out the more you will enjoy wine.

You don't need to be a wine bore who drinks the same variety day after day, year after year.

Sure, the classic varieties can be good, but there's a whole world of enjoyment if you dare to be different. I enjoy Shiraz, but I don't drink it every day, just like I don't eat steak and chips every day.

Wine is a special product in that every wine is different. The more you focus on the diversity, and the more you seek it out the more you will enjoy wine.

You don't need to be a wine bore who drinks the same variety day after day, year after year.

Australia's Varietal Wine Scene

Of the 2500-plus wineries in Australia about half use at least one 'alternative variety.' On this website you will find out

• what these varieties are
• who is making them
• where to get them
• how best to enjoy them
• where to find more information about these varietals

Vinodiversity is the only website solely about Australian wines made from alternative grape varieties. There are over a hundred of these described on this site.

In its short history of just over 200 years the Australian wine industry has undergone a bewildering number of changes. There have been booms and busts, pestilence, taxes and economic crises. It's always been changing, but never so rapidly as it is today.

The industry is getting much bigger, but a new wave of innovation is happening; more and more wines are being made with different varieties.

The classical (read French) varieties still dominate. You know the names - Chardonnay, Cabernet, Pinot noir. Even our own Shiraz is really the French Syrah. But there are about a hundred newcomers bursting onto the scene.

The largest group of new varieties are from Italy, but there are interesting varieties now growing from lesser known French wine areas, from other European wine regions, and even a few varieties which originated in Australia.

Nearly half of Australian wineries are making wine from new varieties, and the proportion is increasing. Some of these innovators are using brand new varieties, some are reviving old vines, others are importing varieties from other regions, but they are all innovators.

What is Vinodiversity?

Vinodiversity is a web site, a philosophy and even a path to enlightenment.

Once you have the spirit of Vinodiversity you need never drink boring wine again. Every new Australian wine you try will add to your knowledge and enjoyment. You will be open to new experiences and you will realise that wine is an enjoyable learning experience as well as a treat for your senses. You will be better able to share your experiences with others.

By discovering these wines now you will amaze your friends as well as getting some bargain wine - surprisingly many of these new varieites are in the budget category - for now.

So here's what to do

Stay ahead of the crowd. Let Vinodiversity.com be your guide to Australian wine from unusual varieties.

Check out the sections on the navigation bar at the left or at the bottom of this page.