This authoritative history of Australian wine covers topics from the first vine planted to a recent prize-winning Hunter Valley chardonnay and the ramifications of the 1993 Federal Budget's proposed wine tax upon the Australian wine industry. In this text, wine writer and judge, John Beeston charts the history of the major wine-growing areas, the growth of the large companies, as well as the smaller concerns, and takeovers and trends in consumption. He examines the historical influences on what is one of Australia's burgeoning export industries. A listing of current wine makers, wineries and yields is included in an appendix.