Until Chardonnay made its appearance in the 1970s Riesling was the most planted white wine grape in Australia. Despite Australia's frantic love affair with Chardonnay regions like Clare Valley, Victoria or Frankland River still produce Riesling wines with a distinct character of their own.
For a wine to be labeled Riesling the Australian wine law stipulates that at least 85% of the wine must be Riesling. A maximum of 15% of other varieties may be blended in.