The average price of investment quality Australian wine is much lower than that of investment quality Bordeaux wine. For example, one might spend up to S$13,500 for a case of vintage 2005 Bordeaux from Chateau LaTour or Chateau Margaux, but the same amount will garner over half a barrel of the Tahbilk 1860 Vines Shiraz, a blue chip wine from Australia.

Australia's finest glories are the great, classic old vine cuvées of Shiraz and Grenache from South Australia, particularly those from the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and Clare Valley. Cooler years such as 2002 and 2004 have produced more streamlined, restrained wines that may even be mistaken for some of their counterparts produced in the cool micro-climates of Western Europe.

Another myth about Australian wines is that they all taste alike. There are completely different styles of wine made in Barossa as there are in McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, Eden Valley, Heathcote, and the far-flung Western Australian regions of Margaret River or Frankland River.

In summary, Australia has as much diversity in wine quality and styles as anywhere in the world. There are many top values and compelling wines being produced in Down Under.