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WINE VARIETIES, Australia, year ended 30 June 2015
Production
Bearing area
Yield
t
ha
t/ha
RED WINE
Shiraz
395,154
38,942
10.2
Cabernet Sauvignon
202,672
23,987
8.5
Merlot
111,533
8,415
13.3
Pinot Noir
43,223
4,804
9.0
Petit Verdot
22,434
1,117
20.1
Ruby Cabernet
13,557
848
16.0
WHITE WINE
Chardonnay
340,773
21,321
16.0
Sauvignon Blanc
83,505
6,044
13.8
Semillon
65,411
4,555
14.4
Pinot Gris
61,387
3,651
16.8
Colombard
55,608
1,789
31.1
Muscat Gordo Blanco
52,010
2,178
23.9
Footnote(s): (a) Data not collected for 2011, 2013 and 2014 seasons. (b) Data only available for 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2015 seasons.
Source(s): Vineyards, Australia 2014-15
Footnote(s): (a) Data not collected for 2011, 2013 and 2014 seasons. (b) Data only available for 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2015 seasons.
Source(s): Vineyards, Australia 2014-15
KEY WINE VARIETY FINDINGS
Red Wine
In 2015, red wine grape production increased 5% from 2012 to 844,000 tonnes and red wine grape vines accounted for 64% of all vines planted in Australia.
The most popular varieties produced were Shiraz (almost half of total red wine production) at 395,000 tonnes, Cabernet Sauvignon at 203,000 tonnes and Merlot at 112,000 tonnes.
South Australia produced the majority (54%) of Australia’s red wine grapes in 2015 with 454,000 tonnes, followed by New South Wales (25%) and Victoria (19%).
White Wine
In 2015, production of white wine grapes decreased nationally (down to 764,000 tonnes) and in all states and territories except Victoria, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory.
The top white wine varieties produced were Chardonnay (almost half of national white wine production) with 341,000 tonnes, Sauvignon Blanc with 84,000 tonnes and Semillon with 65,400 tonnes (down by 16% or 12,500 tonnes).
Approximately 75% of Australia's white wine grapes were produced in South Australia and New South Wales.
KEY WATER SOURCE AND METHODS FIGURES
WATER SOURCES AND METHODS, year ended 30 June 2015
Aust.
NSW (a)
Vic.
Qld
SA
WA
Tas.
VOLUME OF WATER USED BY SOURCE (ML)
Irrigation channels
208,170
99,890
42.037
107
65.792
178
166
On-farm dams or tanks
17,789
1,144
4,847
118
4,025
6,672
983
Rivers, creeks, lakes etc.
159,014
32,590
34,994
448
89,621
969
351
Groundwater
40,627
3,675
3,352
12
32,274
1,306
9
Recycled/re-used water from off-farm sources
4,478
3
366
0
4,099
0
10
Town or country reticulated mains supply
6,765
2,204
179
0
4,254
14
114
Other
3,322
35
681
2
2,598
0
6
Total
440,165
139,540
86,457
727
202,664
9,138
1,369
AREA IRRIGATED BY METHOD (ha)
Spray or sprinkler (excluding micro spray)
7,849
1,199
2,360
12
4,167
79
33
Drip or micro spray
112,474
27,785
17,334
396
58,621
7,316
1,022
Furrow or flood
3,015
2,688
149
0
159
18
1
Other
67
28
7
1
25
6
0
Method not reported
1,314
141
78
0
832
19
243
(a) Includes Australian Capital Territory
Footnote(s): Data not collected for 2011, 2013 and 2014 seasons.
Source(s): Vineyards, Australia 2014-15
KEY WATER SOURCE AND METHODS FINDINGS
In 2015, 440,000 megalitres of water was used to irrigate vineyards, an 18% increase since the 2012 season due to dry conditions. The principal water source used was irrigation channels or irrigation pipelines, accounting for 208,000 megalitres applied.
Vineyards in South Australia accounted for 46% (or 203,000 megalitres) of total water use, followed by New South Wales with 32% (or 140,000 megalitres) and Victoria with 20% (or 86,500 megalitres).
Watering by drip or micro spray remained the most popular method with 112,000 hectares of vineyards watered this way nationally, a fall of 7% since the 2012 season.
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