What with wildfires, drought, the economic downturn and competition from overseas, Australian winemakers are now facing a crisis that's taken on Biblical proportions. What have they done to incur such divine wrath?
After years of churning out a generic, bargain-bin product, pigeonholing wines from Down Under in the cheap-but-cheerful category, the wine industry might have played some part in bringing this disaster on itself. In the future, Australia may no longer be capable of producing the type of low-price wines the country made its name on.
Many experts feel that salvation will lie in putting their faith in quality products produced in lesser known, cooler regions that demonstrate a subtlety and sophistication that demands a higher price point. But can they appease the palates of international buyers in time to halt the slow demise of Aussie wine?