Australian winemakers, journalists and industry specialists gather in Edinburgh today to celebrate Australia Day in style; with over 800 wines on tasting at the annual Scottish Wine Australia trade show being held at the inspiring arena of �Our Dynamic Earth�. The producers then move south to host an even greater gathering in London at Emirates Stadium on Thursday 29th January.

Acting Director UK/IRE/Europe for Wine Australia (Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation), Lucy Anderson, said: �The best of Australian wine is here; with New Releases, old favourites and the introduction of a �Winemaker�s Choice� on each producer table; wines on which we have a brief �legend� from the winemaker on why that wine is special to them. The latter is deliberately subjective. It�s about celebrating the individuality and diversity of what is on offer.

�There is much to be explored in wines from across Australia and we believe that this event captures the energy and excellence that is currently coming out of our wineries. We are very lucky to have with us some of our leading wine-makers, who have flown over especially for the occasion. This is the must-attend event of the year in Scotland and then later this week in London, to experience first-hand what�s new and what�s in line across the wealth of wines available from Australia.�

Paul Henry, General Manager Market Development for the AWBC/ Wine Australia, added: �The response from the trade and press in pre-registering for these events demonstrates enormous support for the category, which remains the number one supplier to the UK market. These are challenging times for us all, but these tastings also provide an opportunity to engage the marketplace with a robust and constructive dialogue about points of difference that are relevant and yet distinctly Australian.

Continued Henry: �In London there will be something else that is new; individual �spotlight� rooms with themed flights chosen by independent Aussie specialists (Max Allen, Huon Hooke, Jeremy Oliver, Peter Forrestal, Tyson Stelzer and James Halliday). These wine writers have been invited to share their thoughts with the UK on x2O wines that they find truly exciting across a range of styles.�

Wine Australia is also hosting consumer evenings at both Edinburgh and London venues, details of which can be found on the site: http://www.wineaustralia.com/UK

-Ends-

Annual Australia Day trade & press tastings 2009 www.wineaustralia.com.au/uk

Edinburgh: Our Dynamic Earth, Monday 26th January 2009, 11.00am-4.30pm London: Emirates Stadium, Thursday 29thJanuary 2009, 9.30am-6pm

Notes for editors:

Wine Australia is the name under which the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation, a Government organisation established to provide strategic support to the Australian wine sector, delivers its international marketing programme.

Winemakers who have flown over to attend the tastings include: Andrew Peace (Andrew Peace Wines), Kevin O'Brien (Kangarilla Road), Charles Melton (Charles Melton Wines), Kate Day (Willunga 100), Peter Schulz (Turkey Flat) Mike Brown (Gemtree), Toby Barlow (St Hallett), Andrew Hardy (Petaluma), Antony Ceravolo (Ceravolo and Red Earth), Walter Clappis (Amicus Wines), Ben Roodhouse (3 Oceans Winery - Palandri), Daniel Eggleton (Creed of the Barossa) and Ben Haines (Mitchelton).

Further information: http://www.wineaustralia.com/UK

Yvonne May Lindsay May PR & Marketing 11-15 Betterton Street London, WC2H 9BP Tel: +44 (0)20 7470 8890 / Mobile: + 44 (0) 7711 531 644 e-mail: yvonne@lindsay-may.co.uk