"After returning from an intense week of getting to know the major wine regions of South Australia (through a partnership between WFFT and the South Australia government), I corrected and recalibrated many preconceived notions of the current state of the industry. Yes, it is true that 15-20 years ago so much over-ripe, jammy, and cheap Shiraz came into the US that many wine lovers and collectors believe this to be the face of all Australian wine. Today, nothing could be further from the truth. There is a palpable drive to experiment with new varieties, discover cool-climate sub-regions, and push the bar of quality with traditional varieties of Cabernet and Shiraz. Plus, since Phylloxera has never affected South Australia, it is the home to many of the oldest producing vineyards in the world. In this class, we’ll be exploring all the gems and discoveries from the trip. I promise, they will surprise you as well!