No. 4 and Moving Up

Though Australian wines are still not a major part of the American market, they are making inroads because of their good value. John Gay, U.S. representative for Rosemount Estate of Australia, estimates that, in 1985, no more than 50,000 cases of Australian wine were sold in the United States. Last year, that figure was 1.2 million cases, enough to push Australia past Germany as the No. 4 source of wine imports in the U.S.

In Britain, however, Australian wines are having even more of an impact. Of course, Commonwealth patriotism may play a role (former colony makes good), but the British do love Australian wine. In 1985, Australia shipped fewer than 100,000 cases to the United Kingdom. Last year, the figure was 4 million cases and the growth curve remains straight up.