In total, almost 140 grape varieties are cultivated in Australia. Of the total 173,776 hectares of vineyard area, 42 percent are planted with white varieties, and the remaining 58 percent with red varieties. A portion of the red harvest is also used to produce rosé wines.

Of the grape varieties grown, only about 35 have significant market relevance.

Leading Grape Varieties in Australia Variety Color Synonym Share (%) Area (ha) 1. Syrah red Shiraz 25.0 43,418 2. Chardonnay white 18.5 32,150 3. Cabernet Sauvignon red 16.1 27,909 4. Merlot red 6.2 10,791 5. Sémillon white 3.9 6,752 6. Sultana white Thompson Seedless 3.3 5,781 7. Sauvignon Blanc white 3.2 5,544 8. Riesling white 2.6 4,432 9. Pinot Noir red Spätburgunder 2.5 4,392 10. Colombard white 1.6 2,757 11. Muscat of Alexandria white Muscat Gordo Blanco 1.5 2,567 12. Pinot Gris white Grauburgunder 1.4 2,469 13. Grenache red 1.2 2,011 14. Verdelho white 1.0 1,782 15. Petit Verdot red 0.8 1,387 16. Viognier white 0.8 1,379 17. Ruby Cabernet red 0.69 1,202