Gippsland
A huge Australian wine region that’s also a zone (see Geographic Indications) located in Victoria. Its western border starts at Bass Strait and includes Phillip Island about 85 miles south of Melbourne and extends northeast to the New South Wales border taking up the Victoria’s whole southeast corner. It’s divided into three subregions—South Gippsland, West Gippsland, and East Gippsland. As large as it is, this region is still developing; it currently contains less than 400 acres of vineyard. Climate varies across this vast region, with South Gippsland generally the coolest. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the principal varieties, although Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, shiraz (Syrah), and Sauvignon Blanc are also grown.
The New Wine Lovers Companion, 2nd Edition, by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Copyright © (1) 2003, 1995 by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Reprinted by arrangement with Barron's Educational Series, Inc.