Buyers were interested in the “evolving styles and alternative varieties” of Australian wine at the ANZTT. Images courtesy of Wine Australia.
Australian wine producers have impressed at international wine events in key markets in recent weeks, with strong engagement recorded from trade, buyers, sommeliers and media.
This year’s collaborative Australia and New Zealand Trade Tasting (ANZTT) drew “strong” attendance across London, Edinburgh, and Dublin. An estimated 950 guests including buyers, importers, sommeliers, and media, engaged with more than 1,000 wines from over 250 wineries, representing 57 regions across Australia and New Zealand.
Twenty-nine Australian winemakers, winery owners, and principals travelled to the UK and Ireland for the event, allowing buyers and media to have direct connection with producers, who were then able to share their stories first-hand and showcase the uniqueness of Australian wine. Producers in attendance reported that buyers demonstrated a keen interest in the “evolving styles and alternative varieties” of the country’s wine.
Journalist David Williams said the London tasting highlighted the creative energy of Australian and New Zealand producers.
“Aussie and Kiwi winemakers are as daring as ever, and their creative, adventurous spirit really shone at the London tasting. The sommelier selection tasting was particularly inspired, with many of the most interesting and delicious wines being made from alternative varieties.”
Australian wine continued to make waves at Wine Paris 2026 with its largest presence at the fair to date, witnessed by an audience of 63,500 trade visitors from 169 countries. Over three days, 43 Australian producers poured more than 450 wines from 34 regions on the Australian Wine stand, nearly doubling Australia’s footprint in comparison to last year’s showing. Another 20+ independent stands showcased dozens of other Australian wine brands.
Wine Paris 2026 saw Australia’s presence almost double from last year’s showing.
Lucy Clements, CEO of Freestone Estate in the Riverland, said the event delivered valuable commercial outcomes when reflecting on engagement across the Australian Wine pavilion at Wine Paris.
“Some of the biggest buyers in the world have met us here, we’ve had a breadth and depth of buyer – from wholesaler to retailer – through our doors and at our table,” she said.
Dr Martin Cole, CEO of Wine Australia, highlighted the importance of in-market engagement, saying that the international response demonstrated the value of being in front of global decision makers.
“In highly competitive and challenging global markets, visibility and engagement matter more than ever. The strong response to Australian wine across ANZTT and Wine Paris shows that when we are present, telling our story and putting wines in front of decision‑makers, Australia continues to resonate,” he said.
“Buyers and sommeliers are actively looking for diversity, quality and authenticity, and Australian producers are well placed to meet that demand.”
During Wine Paris, the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) revealed that the IMW International Symposium 2027 would take place in Adelaide, South Australia, with the support of the local Government and Wine Australia as a major sponsor.
The event will bring leading wine educators, trade, producers, and influencers to Australia, providing a rare opportunity for producers to show off Australian wine on home soil. The four-day programme is highly regarded in the industry as a highlight of the global wine calendar.
The decision recognised Australia’s ongoing contribution to global wine dialogue and the long-term value of sustained international engagement, according to Dr Cole.
“Hosting the IMW International Symposium 2027 in Adelaide reflects the confidence the global wine community has in Australia’s role in shaping the future of wine.
“It’s a powerful opportunity to bring the world’s leading wine voices to Australia to experience our regions, our producers and the innovation shaping our sector, creating lasting advocacy for Australian wine globally,” he said.
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